Mel Oganesian Portfolio
My father, uncle and grandfather all work in jobs relating to the field of architecture or constuction. I grew up visiting constuction sites with my uncle or witnessing my grandfather working on projects. As soon as I was old enough I began to play with my older brothers legos, building my own creations instead of following the guides. Around the age of 13 I started to work with real tools. Now I try to set aside time every week to tinker and build. I’ve grow up with a passion for design and creation. I hope that instead of designing lego sets or small woodworking projects i will be able to design my own buildings, based on my own style and understanding of architecture.
Converted Warehouse Model View 1 Original Size: 2ftx3ft-4inx10in Medium: Wood, Felt, Plastic, Foam board Individual Work (First of Two Images) This was a two part project in which I originally built a model of a warehouse however, deciding that I wanted to expand upon the project I attempted to add a modern style additon as well as a public space in front. This is representitive off a blend of new and old styles.
Converted Warehouse Model View 2 Original Size: 2ftx3ft-4inx10in Medium: Wood, Felt, Plastic, Foam board Individual Work (Second of Two Images)
Tactile Relationship with an Umbrella Original Size: 8inx12in Medium: Graphite Cooper Union Summer Program (First of Four Images) This is a collapsed drawing that was used to study the geomatry of an umbrellas motion. There are four images which each represent a different moment in time.
Study of Umbrella Geometry Original Size: 20inx10in Medium: Plaster, Wood, Canvas, Metal Cooper Union Summer Program (Second of Four Images) This is a model created based on discoveries made in the previous image. It was used to analysiys the motion of varying structures. To create the image I took multiple photos of the model and then used photoshop to create this image by layering the images and then changing their transparency
Proposal for an Enclosure 1 Original Size: 24inx36in Medium: Graphite Cooper Union Summer Program (Third of Four Images) This was a proposal for a structure based on the previous model. The structure is a combination of the two sides of the model and was based on their interaction with eachother. The intent of the structure is its ability to change its form to fit its function.
Proposal for an Enclosure 2 Original Size: 24inx36in Medium: Graphite Cooper Union Summer Program (Fourth of Four Images) This is an axon of a city block that demonstrates the usage of the structures. Each different installation is a possible position of the conveiced structure. The frames were not included to show how there is both continuity and dicsontuinity depending on how you view the constuction.
Model House in Black and White View 1 Original Size: 12inx15inx8in Medium: Wood, Foam, CardBoard, Aluminum Foil In class project and individual work This is a model of a house created in a class that I then took a photo of in a darkroom using a single light source. The intent was to create interesting shadows due to the skeletol nature of the model and this particular shadow is interesting becuase it almost shows the progression of the house (the roof is partially built and the walls are more solid).
Model House in Black and White View 2 Original Size: 12inx15inx8in Medium: Wood, Foam, CardBoard, Aluminum Foil In class project and individual work This is an alternate angle of the model
Pianist Surrounded by Flowers Original Size: 15inx12inx8in Medium: Wood, Paper Mache In class project I created this in 8th grade for my mother’s birthday (who loves pianos and flowers). The figure in the model is created through paper mache with a wire figure foundation.
Fauvist Still Life Original Size: 10inx12in Medium: Oil Pastel In class project This picture was an exploration of color, oil pastels, and photoshop. The objective was to create a still life and then use photoshop to create something unique to draw (in this case a thermal filter.
Monochromatic Portrait Original Size: 7inx10.5in Medium: Acrylic Paint In class project We had our picture taking using dramatic lighting and then photoshop was used to seperate the image into several component colors. We then painted the image based on our photo using only one color
Self Portrait in Charcoal Original Size: 16inx20in Medium: Charcoal In class project We had our picture taken using dramatic lighting however in this project we created a charcoal reduction. We started with a paper completely covered in charcoal and used compressed charcoal, vine charcoal, and erasers to create the work.
Still Life in Pastel Original Size: 14inx18n Medium: Chalk Pastel In class project This work was created through the blending of white and black chalk pastel
Two Statues on a Pedastal Original Size: 11inx13.5in Medium: Scratchboard In class project This is a scratchboard work inspired by statues seen in a museum.
Still Life in Pen Original Size: 12inx20in Medium: Pen In class project This was created through hatching techniques and only three pens that had varying thickness.
Paper and Tools Original Size: 14inx10in Medium: Graphite In class project We were each told to set up a still life that had to have various papers and objects in it. My objects were pliers and wire and I made a college of carboard and three different kinds of paper
Draped Monument Original Size: 9inx12in Medium: Graphite In class project Our teacher asked us to create a work that was inspired by a prominent artist, Christo, who is known for draping well known monuments or scenic locations to create a unique style of artwork. I had a model of the Eiffel Tower that I had built when I was young so I decided to make it the object of my piece by drapeing it with a thin cloth and then used a lamp to create shadows.
Combination Portrait Original Size: 9inx12in Medium: Graphite In class project Our teacher asked us to create a work that was inspired by a recent trend in magazines that combine multiple portraits into one to make a point. As this drawing was made right in the middle of the presidential election I decided to draw a combined portrait of the presidential candidates (From top to bottom the three sections are Trump, Bernie, and Hillary).
Rubbed Out Junk Food Original Size: 12inx9in Medium: Graphite In class project Our teacher asked us to create a work that was inspired by a prominent artist who used erasure to make political and cultural statements such as drawing weapons of war and erasing them to show his anti war sentiments. This drawing is used to show my commitment to “erase� unhealthy foods from my life but being forced to erase my work was harder than lowering my intake of sweets.
Detail Drawing of a Wall Original Size: 9.5inx11in Medium: Graphite In class project This is a detail drawing of a wall created in an architectural class in my school.
Elevation Drawing of a House Original Size: 18inx12in Medium: Graphite In class project This is a front elevation of a building created in an architectural class in my school. The previous detail drawing of a wall represented the front wall of this house.
Multi-View Drawing of a Cone Original Size: 24inx24in Medium: Graphite Cooper Union Summer Progam This work was a study in descriptive geometry. I chose to draw a cone and made a bottom, front, auxiliary, and oblique view.