Outside the Box

This sculpture was transformed from a four-sided plywood box. The transformation follows the principle of minimal process for maximum change. The new sculpture shows minimum process in two ways. The first is by minimal cutting. I reconstructed the box by taking apart the four sides of the box – four square wooden pieces, then cut a circle “window” from two pieces with a jigsaw and rearranged the positive and negative shapes into a new sculpture. The used of simple design is a minimal process as well. Four fundamental shapes could be found in this sculpture: squares, circles, rectangles, and semicircle During the brainstorming process, I have concluded that “less is more” (Mies van der Rohe), Mies’ principle is to reduce the distractions and focus on the essential elements of our environment and ourselves.  

side view

Dimension: 24 x 12 x 12 in. Made of plywood, 1-inch screws, and wood glue.

aerial view

My intention is to create a piece of utilitarian art that serves its function as well as showing aesthetic on its own.

My inspiration of creating the new sculpture was mainly from Mona Hatoum. If we turn over the sculpture to the side, where it rests on the rectangle, it is a small chair. There is a hole in the center where we suppose to seat. It is also made of wood – not a material for comfort seating. The design of this sculpture matches Mona’s art works, that the idea contradicts the indented function.

My work also relates to Tia Kramer, who aims to discover interrelationship of the world through a moment of pause. The negative space of my sculpture allows us to see through the content behind the background. It is a screen for observation and realization wherever we place the sculpture. We create a momentary pause by looking through the “window”.

Andrea Zittel’s idea of experimental artwork inspires me as well. This piece of sculpture could be used for anything if we interact with it differently. For example, it may be a container to store a basketball in the center for an athlete; it may be a tool to place sculptural objects on top of each of the circles for an artist; it could also become a wall lamp by adding light bulbs. This sculpture is multifunctional. It is not the same experience each time we use it differently. We learn from the investigation of art.