Final Research Project Proposal

Project Proposal

                                              

                                                                    

               

The Crocodile and Plover is a sculpture I did not commit to lightly. 

I knew I wanted to begin transitioning into furniture but I enjoy the detailed process of realism in my work therefore apparently a crocodile table was my obvious choice in marrying the two concepts. A crocodile is a large animal that has a low center of gravity, stands on four legs, and has a relatively simple silhouette. Structurally it could be a great side table. I mapped out the length width and height of my hypothetical crocodile with boxes of clay and settled comfortably on 4.3 x 1 x 2 ft. Considering the dimensions of the school's largest kiln is 4 x 4 x 5 ft  I plan on sculpting the crocodile entirely together but with a separation between the head and body so I can fire them separately but still seamlessly fit them together after. The plover will be significantly smaller resting on its snout right before its eyes, about the size of a baseball. I will also need to trade spaces with someone in our ceramics room because I need a large cart cover with drywall to sculpt on from start to finish and easily transfer into the kiln. The drywall will help slide the piece into the kiln without having to risk picking it up and once fired it will disintegrate. 

Surfacing will determine the overall tone of the piece. I want to stay away from realism in finishing because it will already be giving so much crocodile this is an opportunity to breathe a whimsical fascination into it. After many unsuccessful test tiles went to waste over the colors and effects I was interested in I decided to do some research into cold surfacing with acrylic and medium. Bold color with soft gradients and pops of glowing intensity. 

The actual glass aspect of the piece will for now be clear acrylic until I have the funds for such a project. It will lay over the crocodile and bird, exposing the top of the head and back as if submerged in water. After taking proper measurements I will Dremel the shape of the face and back of the croc to smoothly rest on the surface.