Presentation

After discussions with Justin, following my presentation, I will be concentrating on the following adaptations:

·         Plinth – Adaptations are needed to ensure that it flows into the sculpture.  I will use aluminium for the structure as it will allow the design to be more flexible.  I am also trying to emphasis the male and female form and so will adapt the plinth to be finer.   

·         I have also decided to make the windows much bigger therefore creating more visibility to the internal spine. I haven’t yet decided on the format of the windows I need to put more thought into how and what I want to make visible. A side view of the spine might be the most interesting.

The following is my most recent presentation:

Spine Sculpture

View more presentations from Simon Byrne

Fibre Glass

I have also been carrying our research into companies who use fibre glass for creating models and designs.  Next week I hope to get into contact with one of these companies.

Thermochromatic Wallpapers

I have been ringing around different companies trying to find a supplier of this type of paint in a spray form.  I can’t find anyone who supplies this but I have found a company who is willing to change my sketches into thermochromatic wallpaper.  One of my ideas for the end of year show was to show an item made from thermochromatic material.  Wall paper would be perfect for this purpose, as I would design it to have the images of Derry/L’Derry on it.  All I would have to do is put a notice on it for people to touch it. 

3D max

I went back to the 3D modelling of my sculpture but again found this process very difficult. As a result of this I arranged a one to one session with Mark Cullen which was specific to this.  I wanted to ask Mark about setting up the different components of my models in 3D Max and also about using the site photographs to implement them into 3DMax to create virtual reality.  However, this first session concentrated on 3D Max modelling.  Mark advised me to simplify my initial and concentrate on the torso/casing. He showed me a more simplified version of creating my model on 3D Max, this was really helpful.  I hope to meet with Mark next week also. 

I want to get this sorted as quickly as possible and get all my answers to my other queries. The following images are my attempts at creating the images on 3D Max.  Obviously, I need to work on this development.

Images

I would like to present some brief information about the images that I intend to use on my sculpture.  Using a chronological time line for reference I will begin with the Oak Tree.

6AD -Oak Tree. The significance of this is that the name Derry which was derived from the Gaelic word doire which means  a grove of oak trees. 

1613-Walled City.  In 1613 the walls were built around Derry. The old walled city is on the West Bank of the River Foyle and is spanned by two bridges.

1790 – Craigavon Bridge.   The first Craigavon Bridge was a wooden bridge that was built in 1790 and assembled in America.  It was transported to Derry and positioned in the Bridge Street Area about 90 m north of the present bridge.  It was built from 1789 -1791, between Bridge Street and Fountain Hill.  The structure allowed for a drawbridge as the inhabitants of Strabane had navigational rights to the River.

 

1830 – Shirt Factories The economy of Derry was based significantly on the textile industry until relatively recently.  The history of shirt making in the city dates back as far as 1831 and is said to have been stated by William Scott and his family who first exported shirts to Glasgow

1845- Famine – Derry Port. During the 18^th and 19^th Century Derry Port became an important embarkation point for Irish Emigrants setting out for North America.  Some of these founded the colonies of Derry and Londonderry in the state of New Hampshire.  During the famine it became the destination for migrants fleeing areas more severely affected by the Irish Potato Famine.  One renowned famous ship was that of Wm McCorkell & Co Ltd known as the ‘Green Yacht from Derry’.

1853- Sewing Machine – The first sewing machine was invented in 1853 and was a major tool in the developing industry of Derry/L’Derry.

1900- Derry – Strabane Railway.   The last stage of the LMS Railway line was opened in 1900.  It ran from the Victoria Road in Derry to Strabane.  Derry was an intricate part of the railway system and it was vital not only to the transport of people but also goods. 

1932- Amelia Earhart.  Amelia was the first woman pilot to cross the Atlantic.  She set off from Newfoundland heading for Britain, but landed way off course, in an open field in Culmore in Derry.

1960 – Altnagelvin Hospital.  This was the first hospital built in the United Kingdom after the Second World War.  It consised of  10 floors and was the tallest building in Derry/L’derry at this time.  The first patient was registered in 1960.

Sketches in relation to development of the sculpture:

 

The casing of the spine will be made from fibre glass.

It will be white with viewing windows at various intervals from top to bottom. 

The casing will have been painted with white thermocratic paint.

When touched, bodily heat will make visible various images of Derry/L’Derry.

Firstly  I will have a fibre class head.

Next LED Brain wired to the membrane keypad

Finally for safety reasons and to be weather proof, a poly carbonate dome top will be placed on top.

The brain colour will activate by touch at various part of the body

This image shows the spine in which I hope to incorporate a lighting system. 

This lighting system will include  different colours representing the various messages moving back and forth to the brain.

This will be a visual depiction of what happens within the human body. 

These components will be made from poly carbon so that they can be visible throughout.

A linking mechanism will also be made from poly carbonate which will allow the wires necessary for LED to be transferred through them.  Again they will be visible throughout.

My initial thoughts were to create my sculpture out of iron and aluminium.  I thought that Iron would be suitable due to its weight and strength and that these would provide a more secure structure.      I have decided that this is no longer feasible due to its expense and the fact that the elements can cause this to rust even after treatment.   Also there could be health and safety issues in relation to iron and electrics. As an alternative, I am now going to focus on fibre glass.  I am now in the process of researching the use of fibre glass for such a sculpture.  There are benefits for   using this material in that it is a strong material, smooth material and a much cheaper material than iron.  Considering the budgetary constraints in relation to this project, fibre glass will be a much more feasible material to work with.

Many different types of sculpture have been achieved using fibre glass, see some examples below:

On Tuesday I met with Justin and presented six of my ideas.  After our discussion I had a clearer picture of what I wanted to include in my design.  I took specifics from all six designs to include in my final piece.  An example of this would be an interactive element which would allow individuals to touch the sculpture.  Their touch would light the associated part of the brain portraying the sensory and motor elements of the brain.  I also would like to include a beating heart in my design. 

Another element that I wished to consider was the inclusion of water in the sculpture, water being so important to the existence of life.  However, after discussing this with officials from the hospital, it would seem that this will not be possible due to the risk of legionnaire’s disease and the protection of infection control.

At this stage I have to consider the specific use of materials, tools and scale.  To reduce possibilities and to encourage specifics I will construct a list of probable inclusions. This will be refined as I move on with the process.

Head

·         No Face – sphere like shape

·         Visual with lights

·         Spinal element, no neck

·         Light pad to represent the brain

·         Windows – pictures ???

Body

·         Visible in the middle

·         Patterns inside and outside

·         Windows – images  (Derry/ L’Derry or body parts)????????- or images as part of pattern     

·         Lights in the spinal column

·         Structure within a structure

·         Suitable material for interaction

·         Thermochromism paint on outer part – touch giving change.  Heat will allow a picture or pattern to develop.

Heart

·         Projected out

·         Beat or flash representing the heart beat. ????????

Images of Derry inside the windows / or on pattern?

·         Oak Tree

·         Swallow

·         Walls

·         Bridges

·         Shirt Factory

·         Cathedrals

·         Free Derry Corner

·         Holly Well Trust

·         Think historical rather than political.

Structure

·         No rain pockets – infection control

·         Fibre Glass

·         Easy cleaned and cheap  

Scale

·         Height of person 5– 5.6ft

·         Width 45cms =450mm

·         Sides = 25 or 30cms

·         Circumference = 140cms

·         Consider height in relation to the visuals in the brain etc

·         Plinth will be in a curve to allow wheelchair access

·         Securing the sculpture?

I have begun my 3D model.