Urban Landscape
Wood
31 cm x 31 cm
April 2016
Creating a small-scale urban landscape was a new type of project that required me to be thoughtful and explore a new type of medium. I created this landscape with cut wood and glue with the inspiration of a sunrise in New York and by the buildings designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, a national architect. I carefully placed the wood blocks to manipulate the light and create shadows to tell the narrative of an urban and rural landscape.
Inspiration
When starting this project, I wanted to create a landscape that partly covered the gap where the light showed to create a sunrise/sunset effect. So I thought of an umbrella like structure, but later thought of a bridge, which I saw to be more fitting. I researched different kinds of bridges, different architects, and buildings I was interested in. I came across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City and some buildings built by Ieoh Ming Pei. Several of Ieoh's buildings have triangular forms, and I wanted that in my buildings. One particular building would be the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong. He also created rounded buildings, but I stayed away from those since it's hard to round out a block of wood. Many of the wood blocks I used had downward-angled tops and I ended up constantly going back to his buildings. Ieoh's tower looks much more different from another angle. I also came across Jørn Utzon, but I saw his architecture featured a lot of curved edges, which I did not find as desirable with this project.
PROCESS
I started with sketches of board with cuts. These cuts would determined how the light would come through into my landscape. After a few sketches and a small group critique with Robert Lynch, I was able to choose one. Then I began sketching what would be on the board. I drew a bridge with buildings surrounded it. I liked it and began prepping my wood blocks for cutting. Along with the wood was foam, cardboard, and other materials that were to my disposal. I decided to keep it simple and stick with the wood. Only one part of my landscape is constructed with foam. After they were cut, I used wood glue to paste all of the blocks to the board with cuts. It took a while to figure out where to put each block. As I progressed through the project, I added more and more pieces. Trying small additions and new ideas. I kept the idea I thought looked like, and discarded everything else.
I started with sketches of board with cuts. These cuts would determined how the light would come through into my landscape. After a few sketches and a small group critique with Robert Lynch, I was able to choose one. Then I began sketching what would be on the board. I drew a bridge with buildings surrounded it. I liked it and began prepping my wood blocks for cutting. Along with the wood was foam, cardboard, and other materials that were to my disposal. I decided to keep it simple and stick with the wood. Only one part of my landscape is constructed with foam. After they were cut, I used wood glue to paste all of the blocks to the board with cuts. It took a while to figure out where to put each block. As I progressed through the project, I added more and more pieces. Trying small additions and new ideas. I kept the idea I thought looked like, and discarded everything else.
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Reflection
I had a lot of fun with this project. I was much more hands-on with this project compared to the other ones and would love to do projects like this more often. The one I made feels big and spacious and it helps to narrate a story and I feel like that was important. If I were to do this project again, I would try and add a variety of shapes for the buildings, so it's more diverse. I would also try and create a cozy home landscape.