Final Project

"The Electric Hair", 32x 25 x 18 in, found material sculpture, 2010

I wanted to go for a machine that was bigger than the last one I made. I know it would seem like playing safe but I felt like I could not get inventing things out of my system.  There are some things I liked and disliked about the piece I made.  I did appreciate that there is more energy and more things on it to give it a wacky and zany "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"  appearance.  I also was pleased how gin bottles would work as lights or how the barber pole was made from a brass umbrella holder.  However, it still has a junky look as well as such a reliance on hot glue that it leaves strings as well as being a cheap adhesive.  The last thing is the delicate nature of it.  In the future I feel that I should use a soldering iron as well as make structurally sounder pieces.  It is not a bad piece, but it could use some more improvement to achieve its fullest potential.  Overall, I have no regrets this year and I learned a lot from my classmates and teacher.

Inspired

"Untitled", David Plotnick, copper porcelan and glass mobile, 12 x 14 x 8 in, 2010

This project involved exploring an artist who captured your interest learning about their inspiration, context, and visual language to create a piece fitting in that frame.  I chose to make a work inspired by a sculptor named Lee Bontecou.  It was based off of a mobile from the MoMA exhibit "All Freedom in Every Sense". It took her eighteen years to craft an elaborate mobile that would visually communicate the silent spinning of space.  I decided to work on a much smaller scale.  In eighteen hours, I have constructed a mobile that would show the inner workings of an atom.  It is chaotic as it is indivisible.  While highly abstract, I wanted to illustrae rhythm with strung beads representing subatomic particles whizzing at blinding speed.  

So Cute + Window

"Ragamuffin", David Plotnick, Cotton and Fabric, 24 x 34 x 27 in, 2010

This was the first project where I ever had to work with needle and thread.  I have never had any experience with a sewing kit, and it shows.  I wanted to go for something cute, so naturally bunnies was a stable subject.  Gluing cotton balls was very therapeutic.  It was pleasant looking at first and my intention was to have one of the paws rested on the window pane in order to give a gesture of wanting to come inside- the epitome of cuteness.  Unfortunately, the weather had other plans.  The threads holding the head in place ripped off and cotton started to fly off the body.  In fact one of the eyes broke and the posture was awkward and broken looking, it became far from cute, a disturbing cloth mutant.  Much to my dismay my peers found it in shambles and rightfully so the verbal slaughter commenced. 

Your "First" Department Project

"Requiem of Crazed Genius" or "Tesla Gauntlets", David Plotnick, Found Metal and Telephone Parts, 2010

As of right now, I find sculpture to be the department that I want to apply for as a major.  A project i stumbled upon was to make some wearable work of art.  I was watching a special on TV on the popularity of steam-punk in science fiction.  It introduced me to a number of great steam-punk sculptors like Art Donovan, Jake von Slatt, and Tim Wetherell.  I was instantly inspired by the exposure of mechanics, the metals,  and the leather.

When making these gauntlets, the function of these gloves remains a mystery even to me.  I found it amusing when people would play with the dials, place the cuffs of metal around their wrists, and flip through my notes and blueprints.  I felt I created more than a fashionable item, but an environment where people would be invested into a crack pot scientist and his goofy experiments.  It kept people entertained, my craftsmanship improved, and I am constantly finding new ways of utilizing material in a clever manner. In other words this was a very successful and enjoyable piece to work on.

Book Art

"Lepidoptera", David Plotnick, Book Art,  9" x 12" x 1.5", 2010

When making this piece, something happen over the weekend.  My parents are separated and are in the process of getting a divorce.  Being a college student and having this happen is a much different experience than if you were a little kid and had to go through this.  I never thought it was my fault or anything but it certainly feels like you aren't safe coming home.  You feel isolated from the experience because you are away from your family, and it sometimes make me question the relationships I will have in the future.  I feel vulnerable when tell something this personal, despite being around comforting friends.  This piece is my attempt at gaining closure from the experience.  The butterflies represent marriages.  While they are beautiful and colorful, they are not alive and so they are preserved in the glass as a metaphor to preserving the memories of marriage.  Lepidoptera is the family of insect that the butterfly belongs to in the animal kingdom.

Creative things to Do in A Cemetery #5: Take a Drink

"Nathaniel Drinking form a Birdbath", David Plotnick, Photograph, 2010

I attempted to play with distance and size, and I have to personally thank Nathaniel for his participation in my little aperture experiment.  It was also really hot that day.  I also appreciate the natural tilt of the bath as he looks as if he is picking it up and drinking it like a goblet.  

Creative things to Do in A Cemetery #4: Look up at the Sky

"Untitled", David Plotnick, Photograph, 2010

I never really explored photography, until I came to VCU, and looking at the geometric branches crossing and contrasting against the sky was a beautiful perspective.