This object began with my initial paper clip and paper plate constructed sphere from the beginning of the semester; I really liked the form, weight, and appearance of that sphere, and wanted to build this assignment off of that initial creation. I duplicated the sphere as close to that initial ball as I could, then used smaller paper plates to create a smaller version of the sphere as well from there. After constructing all three spheres, I began to play with the idea of how to get them all stacked up together to reach two feet in height (that was the assignment). In addition to this, I was simultaneously working on a sort of stand for the spheres to all stack on (once I built further supports allowing them to stack) which took a long time to refine. The stand ended up looking like a cake platter, and from there, I started thinking of the gradual building of the structure as constructing tiers of a cake. I created circular supports between each sphere, which actually derived from the smaller structures used to build up the spheres themselves, and everything came together from there. I had to spend some time working to balance everything on the platter, and though occasionally cockeyed, the structure consistently stood up on its own even after being constructed, deconstructed, and taken in and out of my locker over and over again.
I took the idea of baking my own sort of paper plate cake and ran with it until the end. However, though the structure sat on a cake platter and resembled a wedding cake of sorts, it reminded me a lot more of flowers- specifically white hollyhocks flowers. By the end of the assignment, I was determined to decide whether this creation was a cake or a flower, but could not confidently decide. Months later, I’ve decided that it is a combination of both. I’m very drawn to flowers in addition to being a big fan of cake, so I really like what this project ended up becoming. It means a lot to me that I was able to successfully fulfill this first Drawing Machines assignment, in addition to theming it in a manner in which I enjoyed.
