Project 1 and 2 Collage

Building Process, Step 3

Step 3: Cardboard Model

3.1: Cut the outer volumes

3.1 (other side)
3.2: cut out volumes and forms at the same time

3.2: build bottom half
3.3: build top half.
3.4: put them together...

and we have a model.

Step 2, 2.5

Step 2

Step 2 was a step further in the direction I originally wanted to take the project - grabbing volumes of air with a combination of solid/voids. Certain parts of the model was stronger, some weaker. After some feedback from others around me, I decided to test out the possibility of compacting my idea to just capturing air with the solid forms within the model, which led to a considerably lighter model, step 2.5.

Step 2.5

I believe that step 2.5 was a stronger version than step 2. One of the things that were lacking as I drew the plans and sections of the model was a stronger, consistent relationship between the solids and the voids that were in the model. Step 2.5 was an attempt to bridge some of those boundaries and make the relationship between the solids and the voids in the model a little bit stronger, as well as making the air pockets even more dramatic than step 2.

I believe that with the next iteration, having 1 intention in the project will help me to focus on the main thing I am trying to get at: grabbing air and holding it, if just for a moment.

Step 1

Intent: to display the game that mass and air (void) play with each other, where given a space, air will fill whatever space mass does not. I tried to show this by working toward moments where air "fills" the space suggested by the mass, and where mass fills in the space left by air.













I could already see some areas of improvement like planning out the layout/size/angles of the different "game spaces" presented in the model a little more in depth before digging into the foam so that I am in complete control of the making process...

I have some questions I would like some input on:
1) So the way that I approached making this model was to divide up the large foam into smaller, more manageable chunks that I could cut into with a #11 exacto blade (4" x 6" x .5") and working between them to create the spaces that I was imagining. Do you have a suggestion for a different approach than splitting up the large foam block into smaller chunks that might work better for what I am aiming towards in terms of the game that I am trying to illustrate?

2) when I cut into the foam with an exacto blade, digging vertically into foam was manageable, but because I used 4" x 6" x .5" blocks to construct the model, digging "sideways" into the block was actually quite hard and I began to lose control. Do you suggest chopping the blocks into smaller, more manageable chunks? Does 1" x 1" x 1" sound like a decent size against the size of the blade and such, or do you suggest a bigger chunk? maybe 2" x 2" x 2"?

3) Looking at the model from the pictures above, what were some of the strong points that I could work out further in the next iteration? Some weak points that needs improvement or should be scrapped completely? (maybe describing which parts of the pictures?

4) Can I try using cardboard as a medium rather than foam? cutting into cardboard might be slightly easier than trying to cut into foam... Perhaps as a 3rd iteration, if not the 2nd?