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Inquiry: What is the intersection between nature and the human-made?
Title: Webs
Dimensions (h x w x l): 7.5 x 3 x 2.6 in
Date Completed: February 17, 2022
Idea: 3D hot-glue sculpture inspired by spider webs
Materials: Hot glue, bamboo chopsticks, spray paint
Processes: Extruded hot glue into textured web pattern, used chopsticks for structure, spray painted white
INSPIRATION
SPIDER WEBS
I was inspired by spider webs for the intricate designs that it contains. Programmed into the spider's behaviors webs are spun with strands of silk that are extruded from the spider's abdomen.
They are intricate works of engineering and architecture designed by nature.
There are different kinds of spiderweb variations from cob webs to spiral orb webs. I went with the spiral orb web, the most common pattern of spider webs, because of its mesmerizing organized pattern.
PLANNING
My plans for this piece was to make an abstract sculpture that reflected the forms of a spider's web.
To augment a spider's natural fabrication process, I planned to "weave" my piece in mid-air as well. To do this, anchoring points were needed. To provide these anchoring points, a structural frame had to be built. So, in my designs I started with different frame structures and built the webs on top.
From the different iterations I went through, I went with the skewed trigonal bipyramidal shape because of its uniqueness and modern look.
Later, I would revise the "weave-in-mid-air" method because hot glue was too molten to make sturdy strands in mid air. I instead decided on a pre-fab panel method.
I sketched out different designs for the sculpture, increasing the complexity of the subsequent design.
Detailed planning of final design.
PROCESS
I first drew the panel design template on a glass pane with a CD-marker. I then extruded hot glue according to the template. Then, I made 3 identical isosceles triangle-shaped panels for the base. This process was repeated for the 3 panels of the top section.
Once, the panels were done, I cut chopsticks to form structural rods. One chopstick was left as is to form the long edge. Two others were cut to the same length as the triangle's side for the base. I then attached the 3 base panels to these chopsticks using hot glue.
Next, I measured and cut two identical-length chopsticks for the edges of the top section. After, I glued on the panels. I encountered a minor difficulty at this stage as the panels were too large to fit in the wooden frame. To revise, I had to trim off the sides of the panels to make them fit snugly.
Once the assembly was complete, I spray-painted a first coat and let it dry before spray-painting another coat. This second coat was to ensure a matte, even coat. As for the reason for the spray painting, it was to give the sculpture a more sleek, modern look.
EXPERIMENTATION
My experimental goal with this piece was to play with the capabilities of hot glue. To do this, I experimented with new patterns. In this case, it's the pattern of a spider web, which comprises of radials and spirals. The panel was sturdy because of it's net-like pattern. This was an example of the fundamental biological principle of structure giving way to function. Also due to the straight lines, the extrusion process required a steady hand.
Before, I tried the extrusion of the pattern on a curved surface and later bent it. For this one, however, I tried a panel approach that started with extrusion on a flat surface. Then, the panels were assembled like a puzzle. This new technique was a bit more challenging because the panels had more components and had to fit snugly. Opposed to an organic pattern that was more forgiving to minor slip-ups, this new pattern was more technical.
REVISION
My revision process for this piece involved removing the plastic bottle cap base. The reason for this was because the plastic bottle cap took away from the overall design as it wasn't aesthetically-appealing. Another reason was because the sculpture had too many "synthetic" components.
Therefore, my decision was to integrate my sculpture more into nature by placing it in a natural context. To do this, I attached the sculpture upside-down to a fake mock banana leaf plant. I was inspired by the way real spider webs were often nestled in branches or hanging from leaves. In a way, the sculpture also reflected how cocoons hang from branches.
REFLECTION
Overall, this project wasn't too challenging, and was very enjoyable to make. I was very satisfied with the end result and was surprised about the versatility of hot glue. Hence, I plan on continuing to experiment with hot glue and making more complex forms in my future projects.
The art elements that were emphasized in this project are pattern, rhythm and form.
The pattern is a repeating spider web motif that makes up the structure of the piece and gives the piece that intricate organic look.
The repeating spirals, radials, and tessellating panels imbued a repeating rhythm into the piece.
Lastly, the form of the piece was of particular emphasis because it took a triangular pyramid and manipulated it in several ways. It was reflected, stretched, and skewed. I believe the form of the piece is a big factor that contributes to this piece's uniqueness.
I showed an intersection of the human-made and the natural by emulating natural forms using synthetic materials. The pattern was organic, but the form looked modern and geometric. The extrusion method of the hot glue was also reminiscent of a spider extruding silk from an opening in its abdomen, so my synthesis extends into my processes as well.
When viewers see this piece, I hope they find the repeating intricate structures mesmerizing and the unique asymmetrical form of the sculpture, visually-appealing.
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