The 8 Ways of Looking at a Piece of Paper Project was an exercise of creativity. Given only a single sheet of paper, the only goal was to make each piece we created appear three-dimensional. To turn eight pieces of paper into something more visually exciting and lively by playing with shadows. And on that note, the main thing I ended up taking from this project was just how much shadows and lighting can actually manipulate the appearance and mood of a subject.
Anyways. Initially, I thought this project would be pretty easy, but I quickly realized I was very wrong once I actually got started. I underestimated just how hard paper is to build with. Going in, I knew I wanted to make a flower, and I would later down the line, but my very first sculpture was a sad-looking bird I had made by folding and crumbling up my allowed one page of printer paper. I scrapped this bird in place of one I had more ‘masterfully’ created by drawing out the wings, head, and body and gluing all the parts together. To make it stand, I rolled some leftover strips I had and made legs, bending the ends of the makeshift tubes so they were flat and used my scissors to create the talons.
The next sculpture I made was my favorite, an easel. The easel was the most time-consuming piece. The inspiration behind this one was the frustration that comes with wanting to create but not having any idea of what to create, which I had been experiencing. I used a photo for reference as I carefully constructed each part of this particular piece. By the end, I discovered I had made the canvas shelf too thin, so with every bit of movement, the canvas/paper I had made to sit on it would fall over. Also, the easel itself wasn’t very sturdy despite my best efforts and would tip over at times.
After, I made the flower I wanted to make, a camelia. Then the figure in the house, the snake, the spoons, the stage, and finally the wizard hat. The figure in the house was the only other one that gave me trouble besides the easel, but that was in the lighting and shadows department. It was a bit troublesome to angle the lamp in a way where it cast shadows I liked.
Some of my sculptures I’m truly happy with, especially the easel. Not to keep singing its praises. I believe it was also the fan-favorite of mine in the 3D class.
Others, I don’t feel so warmly about. I had bigger plans for the figure in the house and the snake, but I wasn’t able to execute them properly because I was running out of time and lacked the skill. With the figure, I really wanted to have it almost entirely shrouded in darkness and barely visible to represent isolation and crushing loneliness. I also wanted to make a lamppost which I had planned to make look like that’s where the light was coming from. Next to it, I’d put another paper person. Together the two would represent hope.
In regards to the snake, my plans for it were more cosmetic and less symbolic. I wanted to add more scales. I honestly feel like it would have made a huge difference.
