Vichhay Roeung

Artist Statement #2

1/13/11

            Origami as a whole is an interesting and creative art. It focuses on structure building and folding techniques that add up, giving the art piece all it’s magnificent details and realistic qualities. During the second quarter of the school year I wanted to incorporate origami in a form of a sculpture, to be shown as a prop or a decoration. Starting off with the design and blueprint of the sword, I then went on to create the necessary materials to create my sculpture using scrape printer paper.

            To start this project I had to find something I could get inspired to build. Looking at multiple designs I choose to create a prop sword from one of my favorite Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game, Runescape. In the game it features a great sword created by one of the Runescape Gods, a powerful great two-handed sword with the power to strike down foes with lighting under the name of Saradomin. It was something I’d really enjoyed from the game and I thought I create it as a cosplay item for my own self-enjoyment.

            Looking at a picture of the sword I started creating the blueprints for the sword. It was an easy process to do as I just simply scaled down the sword to a size I believe was right. Creating a 1ft handle with a 3ft blade that totaled a 4ft design for the sword. But also using a protractor to get the angles of the sword so that it precisely reflects the sword, it’s details, cuts, and distinct sharpness. Then it was on to the process of planning every single detail that I was going to do and how I was going to do it.   

            In order to make the prop I first had to create the material needed to create the structure and fame of the sword. Some call this glued paper layers of a single printer paper but I know it as harden paper because it is much harder then card stock. To make this material, the materials needed are glue, printer paper, and a waiting time of about twenty-four hours to dry. First step was to fold the paper precisely in half or the piece would be crooked, then applying a layer of glue, and finally repeating that process on the same paper, making sure that it is flat and there are no air bubbles. Last step was drying it under a large object such as a book for twenty-four hours as it tends to warp during the drying process.

            After the harden paper became harden, I started building the structure of the sword. Adding on layers of harden paper to a point in which it could hold its own weight and in the form of a T shape. On the structure of the sword I drew an outline of the sword with a pencil, protractor, and ruler until it fit the designs of my blueprint. Using two small long sticks as support on both sides of the sword it became clear how sturdy and balanced the sword will become and it was time for the final part. Covering the wooden support in a matter where it shows the thickness and detailed parts of the sword. Afterward getting assistance from a fellow classmate, Natalie Sanchez to paint the sword mainly due to the reason that I’m not a descent painter. Combing multiple shades of yellow and silver that truly brings out the brightness and power of the god sword.

            Through this experience, I’ve learned a lot about my abilities and creating art. This was a memorable experience as I combined two different kind of art together into one form. Such as I made it a home project to work on none stop, where one time I was up still working until 3 a.m. and during Thanksgiving. Which I’ve truly enjoyed this process and this opened a new window for my next home art project that I’ve already started.   

                 

           

 

Vichhay Roeung

Artist Statement #1

            My name is Vichhay Roeung, and I am junior at Science Leadership Academy. We were asked to build something we enjoyed or dreams of out of recyclable material. My sketches started out as simple lines, doodles, about what I wanted to make. What is there to know about me is that I enjoy learning about war, the history, the political standards, and especially the weapons of that time. At the time I was still hook on this new video game Halo Reach, that’s where I was inspired to make a sword. Which was not just because I’m Asian, I just happen to own a sword of my own to use as a model. But as the process went on I though I should challenge myself make a working light saber because I’ve always wanted to be a Jedi, “may the force be with me,” This is why I am an Artist.

            When building the light saber, I looked around for materials I could use. I didn’t plan for what I was going to do. Maybe I should have but I didn’t because I imagined what I going to do piece by piece. It may not had been a potential plan but we needed to use our imagination more often or we will never be able to create something wonderful without the creativity and far reaching goals of imagination. Nothing really goes as plan so I didn’t expect my art to be perfect but I expect it to express me. The way I made my light saber handle shine blue in the dark or with a different shrine the color changes to an orange glow for the plastic section.

            At first I knew I wanted the light saber to be authentic so there had to be a light source so that it can shrine and be like an actual light saber. I started with the handle; the handle consists of two-laundry cap, which I covered with the construction paper that holds toilet paper. But what kind of handle would it be without something that helps as a grip for the light saber so duck taped. Which worked well in giving a grip like feel to it but also an authentic look as if it was a piece of cloth on it. Now it was time for the difficult task using something that the light could shrine through but also a cylinder. Which was the reason I choose plastic bottles. I tried many ways to attach them together but it didn’t work. First was using staples, which gave no support as did glue. As a last resort I used duck tape, the only other way to attach them would be heating them together but I highly doubt I’m allow to because it involves fire.

            The light saber right now is pretty amazing. It glows; it’s durable, and it fluent in it’s movement when I do stunts with it. All in all it was fun making it and now I got a light saber. My technique in this art was simple, just create and fix later. I actually plan on adding more, adding transparent paper so the light will be trapped more in the bottle but also look more processional.

            I really hope to build on from this experience. My life’s goals from art are really just to make an energy sword from the video game Halo and my art career is finish. I saw my mistakes, the problems that came up, and even the solutions that I came up with to fix it. Such as this was truly a wonderful experience because it was building something about me, something I could use to express who I am and what I enjoy.     

For my second quarter two Art project, I was inspired by a friend. My friend, Uyen, was painting a blossom tree and she asked for my help to mix the color of the flowers of the tree.  As we mixed the paint for her project together, I was struck with an idea; I wanted to make a tree as my second project. I did want this tree to be boring, however. I wanted this tree to be interesting. I wanted this tree to be made out of paper entirely.

To make my tree, I used paper, paint, tape, cotton balls, and glue. I first made hardened paper in the shape of a tree. This paper was hard, flattened paper. My friend, Vichay, taught me how to make hardened paper. I then proceeded to attaching paper balls to the paper tree shape with tape (to give it some bulk). I then papier-mâchéed the tree with paper, instead of newspaper. After it dried, I painted the tree. I did not have brown paint, so I was forced to mix the paints that I had into a brown color. I painted my tree brown. When I finished painting, I realized that my tree looked too plain. I then grabbed a handful of cotton balls from the bathroom, dipped them in green paint, let them dry, and glued them to the branches of my tree. My initial plan was to attach actual branches on to my paper tree, but the harsh weather proved to be a challenge for that.

In the end, I was able to make a paper tree.  The paper aspect of the tree is symbolic of all of the trees that are killed of and cut down in order to make paper. In this project, the cycle continues, and the paper is made back into a tree. With this project, I hope to raise awareness how truly important trees are for our environment. Trees supply us, and the animals around us with oxygen, so let’s take a more eco-friendly approach and recycle paper.

Overall, I am very happy with my final product. I never thought that the tree would look this good.  The process of this project was definitely very tedious and complicated, but I did enjoy it. I was able to use my creativity to solve problems and make lemonade out of lemons. I was able to get over the challenges that aroused during this process, and use the supplies that I did own to make the tree as detailed and realistic as possible.  

For this second quarter for the benchmark the assignment was to create anything you wanted. In order to create this project we had to use the past information we already learned in art.
 ​The artwork I created was a rose. To create this project, first I made a few sketches of rose. Then I finally picked the rose I felt like was the best. From that I drew that rose on a bigger piece of paper. Then I flipped the paper over and colored the back with black chalk. After I colored the back I laid the paper on a hard stock paper. After that I traced put the top of the paper, and the back of the paper face to face. I then, traced the rose onto the paper. After the rose was traced, I painted the outside of rose black. I also painted the inside of the rose red. 
I decided  to make a rose because I felt because I have a liking for roses. My grandmothers name is Rose so I always loved them. 

Butter

egg(yolk)

flour

eggs & presto

egg yolk/butter mixed

*Note: The egg for this mixture has to be separated into two different things, the yolk & the white.  They're used separately.

Flour is added

Teaspoon of Almond extract and brandywine is added, ingredients are mixed thoroughly in one direction.  Egg white is also added.

This is what the egg white looks like after it is whipped.


Best part, EAT THE CAKE MIX :D

Final Product:

For this quarter benchmark I decided to do something different based off of different patterns and designs I found around art. I call my art different because I look at it as a symbol for things people don't usually think about and what I think about when I'm bored, I see my art as almost a journey through someones mind and most of the inspiration for this came from me being interested in patterns found in mazes and different pieces or art like graffiti. It took over 5 hours for me to complete the final piece because of things like different elements and characters that I thought would be nice to add into the piece but didn't fit into the piece of art paper that I had; each and every part of my art has some sort of story starting with the tree at the very bottom. The tree represents life and higher learning from which the branches are moving out to share and spread what has been given, I thought about how people in families receive so many things from family members that those things are used to better ourselves. From there I drew flames colored and outlined in blue instead of the regular red to show a calming feel over the distribution of feelings we feel as human beings it's interesting because at the very corner of the flames that I didn't notice before is that there is what appears to be an eye which is very cool to me because as you move up the piece it appears that the eye is disappearing from the face and becoming engulfed in more mazes and puzzles almost saying that no one person can be defined as just a look in the eye. On the right side one thing that I am proud of is the angel wing because although I decided to do just one it shows a sense of freedom through the whole piece because of the clutter and confusion of the mazes of the patterns you still feel a sense of freedom and movement this is a piece of my art that made me feel as though this piece was very special to me because it flowed well with the "inner distraction" and made the piece overall interesting to look at. I really feel that my second quarter artwork was very well put together and would love to continue something like this through the third quarter.

I decided to draw/paint a peacock  for my art project, for the 2nd benchmark quarter. At first I was not sure what I wanted to do for my art project. I wanted to do something really colorful but simple at the same time. Less is more! I am into nature a lot like trees, animals, insects etc...

I wanted to create something no one really thought about so, a peacock came to mind. I always wanted to draw a peacock, they're really pretty and odd to me. The feathers of a peacock are beautiful, they green, the blue, the yellow just blends in together. You really don't know how pretty a peacock feathers are until they spread them out. Usually the male peacock  do that when they're mating to try to attract females.

One day I was in the art room during a free period and I starting drawing a peacock just for fun and it actually turned out to be pretty decent.  Even though it started out as something I was doing just to pass time, it came to be something really elegant and pretty. I take pride into my painting, I worked hard on drawing it the  right way, tracing lines, and trying to stay inside the lines. I contributed to my painting in and out of the classroom.

For our second quarter benchmark, we were told to create a piece of art of our choice. My initial idea was to sculpt an iPod or phone out of modeling clay but I had a change of heart later on in the project. I decided to make a prop from a movie that was featured in Dimensions Film: Spy Kids 2.The prop I wanted to create was a futuristic glove that was used in the movie as a “gadget”. The film doesn’t show a full layout of the glove itself, only portions and pieces of it , so I had to use my imagination to create my own version of the glove. I decided to keep some features of the glove from the movie so it can maintain it’s originality, but I added a few designs of my own. 

Created by DaVonte Martin:

The main material I needed to create the model was an actual glove. At first I wanted to use a normal pair of gloves and then cut the fingers from them to give a more edgy look. However the cotton material of normal gloves wouldn’t look as neat as I would like, so I decided to buy a pair of weight lifting gloves from a department store which were already pre cut. After buying the gloves, I went to gather the rest of my materials. The first aspect of the glove I noticed from the movie was the metal lining which is shown on the palm of the hand. In order to recreate this model, I wanted to use metal stretcher of an umbrella, which is the metal bars along the sides of the umbrella, to represent the metal lining. Before cutting the metal stretcher of the umbrella, I had to first make measurements for my fingers. The metal lining had to be the exact length of my finger. My measurements were as followed:

 

Pinky: 6 cm

Ring Finger: 7.5 cm

Middle Finger: 8 cm

Pointer Finger: 9.3 cm

Thumb: 5.5 cm

 

After making the measurements of my fingers, I had to cut the bar of the umbrella that contained the bendable spring. The bendable spring would enable me to bend my fingers at free will without the need to worry about stiffness in movements. Cutting the metal was the most difficult cutting I’d ever done. 

The tool I used to cut the metal was a wire cutter because I figured it would make accurate precisions. It did, but it took much strength and patience because at first the metal seemed unbreakable. But with a lot of twisting and turning I created 10 metal bars that were equal lengths to my fingers.  After cutting the bars, I decided to hot glue the bars to the gloves because sewing them would only give the bars rooms to fall in random directions.

On the glove used in Spy Kids 2, there were circular pieces of material placed at the tip of the finger that allowed the user to move the metal lining by moving their fingers. In order to replicate this idea, I precisely cut ten 1 cm diameter circles out of cardboard. I used cardboard because it’s material is created in layers so it would be thick enough to look like an exact representation of the glove used in Spy Kids 2.  After cutting the circles, I painted them an “off grey” color so they won’t over shadow the basic design.

While creating the glove, I was given a project in my digital video class to create a commercial advertising a product of our choice. I wanted to advertise my glove and using motion/visual effects replicate the use of the glove in Spy Kids 2. The commercial will be posted within a day because it’s currently being edited.  The glove took two-three weeks to finish so once I completed it, I moved on to another project. 

The next project I designed was the second project of my high school career where I used modeling clay to represent my art. For this specific project I wanted to sculpt a model of an Infiti FX. I wanted to create an Infiniti FX because it’s one of my favorite cars and the design is different from most current SUV models. Before sculpting my car, I had to allow my modeling clay to soften. This process had taken three-four days because the size of the modeling clay. I started softening the clay by filling a clothes bin with warm water, at least five gallons. After filling the bin up with water, I sat two 13’’ blocks of modeling clay into the water.

After four or five days the clay was soft enough for me to mold. I started by creating the basic shape of the Infiniti FX. After allowing the clay to harden a bit, I used a sewing pin to add small features to the car as in the roundness of the bumper, and curves to the door. The next week, I deciding to make the tires. I created the tires by rolling modeling clay into a ball in my palm. Once the clay was shaped in a sphere, I slowly flattened the sphere so it can resemble more of a tire. Once I had a basic shape, I used my finger to create the depth of the tire. Once I’d finished creating five tires using the same method, I used the wheel of an actual toy car to create the ridges of the tire wheel. With the left over clay from the wheels, I made two rear view mirrors. The rear view mirrors had to be proportional to the SUV, so I had to make at least several different models before sticking the final model to the SUV. After creating the wheels and mirror, I used two sewing pins to stick the wheels to the side of the SUV. I did this for two reasons: One, they were almost guaranteed to stay on the SUV without any problems and two, the pin allowed the wheels to turn as if they were real. After sticking the wheels and mirror on the SUV, it was time to paint. Since the modeling clay was still soft after leaving it in warm water for so long, I had to wait at least a week for the clay to harden completely. After the clay hardened, I painted it after school in my art studio. 

RECYCLE YOUR BOTTLE CAPS