The final project was a difficult one to come up with and create. I was very lost at the first thought of the project, and was not sure where to begin. I first wanted to make a flip flop out of seashells and my lifeguarding whistle as the thong part because I am a lifeguard. However, I then thought of a better idea of using sheet music, because music has been a big part of my life since I was eight years old, when I first began taking piano lessons. Using a recyclable material, I had my mother scan my favorite piano books to construct my sculpture. I then decided to make a sleeve, because I was never afraid to show my passion for music, no matter how "geeky" it seemed to others. The idea of the heart I placed on the upper arm was to show that I "wear my heart on my sleeve," meaning I am not ever afraid to show who I am to others. Using all these ideas and concepts, I began the construction of the sleeve. I thought I would finish it within the first two classes, but it was a challenge. Working with fragile and rigid paper made it more difficult then I first imagined. I aligned the music staffs so they read nicely, and matched up all the way around the arm. I occasionally placed the lyric lines to represent my favorite lyrics and lines of the songs. When I got to the elbow, things became hard. I had to try three different ways to create the elbow pieces so that it was covered, but still able to bend. I even researched the way armor was made to use similar techniques. I had to make this part of the sleeve in three pieces to provide the ability for movement. I then finished by adding color and the heart cut out to add more visual interest and to draw the eye to a main part of the piece. The final outcome was what I expected, but took a lot more time and work than I originally planned. I am very pleased with the outcome, and it is even better than I imagined. It uses many elements of design such as unity, negative space, and many more. I used materials that were recycled and meant something to me. The sculpture also shows my personality as a musician, an artist, and a human being. I could not be more pleased with the final outcome of this project, and shows how much I have grown from the first project of Basic Design I to now.
