A See-Through Perspective...

Since my last post, I have moved on a great deal and now have a concept which will more than likely change once the final piece has been made and reflected upon.

Statement of Intent-

From looking at the Alloa campus, I was automatically drawn to the vast amount of glass used in the building creating a very contemporary look as well as giving off the appeal of a blank canvas. Bearing this in mind I wanted to add subtle colour and add to the original features of the building while also looking into the towns past. As I explored into Alloa’s history, I found out that the area was well known for glass making which again fits in well with the route I was beginning to consider.

Relating to the idea of using glass, brought me onto the thought of it representing opportunities as unlike mirrors, glass enables the viewer to shift between looking at it, and looking through it, similar to the mentality of someone focusing on their future potential by studying at the college. Glass as a material can symbolise the formation of realisations that students go through whilst they adapt to further learning, by allowing a clear image of their aspirations to be ‘seen’.

I want to use glass as a building technique and create the appeal of something being fragile, taking a stance and representing a dense structure within the campus. I want the piece to merge in with original features and imitate its surroundings just as glass reflects what is before it. In addition to this, I want the piece to represent the steps that are being taken as Alloa as a town, and the students that attend the campus to expanding themselves and by using and manipulating glass, I believe an artwork could be constructed which signifies the past, and of course is notable for the campus' future and the students who are furthering themselves within it.

Fundamentally, I want to create a glass structure which epitomises potential and prospects for the area and the students to relate to. I want to signify that a structure can be created which idolises fragility, but on closer inspection denotes a formation. The idea of focusing on the potential and prospects which have been created through the opening of the new campus will create an uplifting and inspirational piece that will hopefully compliment the themes that are carried on throughout the building.

Moving On...

After deciding to use glass as my starting point in relation to my concept, I decided to move forward by creating 'glass bricks' more in the sense of pattern and size rather than creating 3D objects. I felt that the idea of a brick pattern was well suited towards the idea I am trying to portray with relation to breaking barriers for Alloa and everything that this new campus stands. In addition to this, the idea of a brick wall coming before us in our learning environment, can be seen as being  defeated and conquered as well as seen through by the decision to use glass to create this effect. I felt that this would be an inspirational subject matter as well as aesthetically pleasing.

So far, I decided to experiment with two completely different approaches, one using glass stringers and the other with a broken glass effect.

Here are some pictures of both;

 After I had make two very different experimental glassworks, when seeking to find new ideas I placed one on top of the other, and found the outcome to be very interesting with a lot of potential. The combination of both fulfilled the need for colour and also a broken glass effect and found it to be visually effective as well as suitable to my concept.

The Combination...