The Motivation for Making Wax Molded Rings - Article Example

IMPERFECTION Student’s Name Course Professor’s Name University City (State) Date Table of Contents 1.0 Brief Outline 2 2.0 Theoretical Background of the Project 3 2.1 Ideas behind the work 3 2.2 Artists Relevant to the Work 4 2.3 Relevant Theories 5 2.3.1 Japanese Theory of Wabi-sabi 5 2.3.2 Modern Art 5 2.3.3 Postmodernism 6 3.0 Practical Aspects 6 4.0 The Process 7 Reference List 8 Imperfection 1.0 Brief Outline I intend to explore the imperfection associated with the process of developing a ring through wax moulding technique. My motivation for making wax moulded rings is the work of David Brooks on ‘imperfection’ in the book “Bobos in Paradise” that calls for uniqueness. The wax moulded rings are stronger, can be modified easily, and takes less time to make. Furthermore, it can be integrated with other materials such as beads. The materials to be used in the development of the rings include a wax, wax cutting system, sharpening file, scriber, rough file, ball bur, sand paper, strong thread, and beads. 2.0 Theoretical Background of the Project 2.1 Ideas behind the work My motivation for making wax moulded rings is based on the work of David Brooks on ‘imperfection’ in the book “Bobos in Paradise” that calls for uniqueness (Brooks 2010)The idea behind my work is the process of making the handmade jewellery. Often the process entails the works of the bench jeweller and the gemstone setter. However, the whole process can be done by an individual or addition of a third party which in this case might be the specialist polisher. The three techniques are usually combined to develop a piece of fine jewellery or a ring (Jogia 2008). In explanation, the bench jewellers’ work is to make the piece of jewellery through melting don the wax and giving it the preferred shape or through carving it. After which, it is the gemstone setter that sets the carved artwork and then the polisher polishes. The idea is opposed to the casting process that entails making a mould shape of the ring thus able to duplicate several rings of the same symmetry. The benefit of making handmade jewels is that it is inherently stronger. In addition, it can be modified at the manufacturing stage to suite the need of the owner be it a lower setting or a narrow band. It can also be made within a short period of time as opposed to the casting process. In explanation, the casting factory might be in another city or having a working schedule while for moulding it can be done freelance. The moulded rings also have small ‘imperfections’ that makes them look unique. Lastly, the designs to which the rings can be moulded are not limited and other materials can be mixed with the wax such as metals and beads. 2.2 Artists Relevant to the Work Some of the artists that motivate my work are Karl Fritsch, Johanna Dahm, Jacqueline Cullen, and Gaetano Pesce. Karl Fritsch is an artist based in Munich who challenges the conventions of jewellery and sculpture making. His rings are read as the miniature sculptures which as often constructed intricately and finished coarsely (Ginnie day 2016). Fritsch rings are marked by detected fingerprints, oxidised and rough finishes that convey the urgency of the materialization of the rings. He mixes the low and high materials giving an equal billing of glass gemstones, plastic pearls, rubies, and diamonds. Fritsch makes the sculptures wearable as rings thus creating unprecedented intimacy in his media from what was previously a static presentation. He also challenges the notion that sculpture can only be admired in a distance while jewellery is for mere decoration. Johann Dahm is also a designer of the imperfect jewels and a teacher. She was born in Sweden, bred in South Africa, and now works and lives in Zurich or Intragna (Ornamentum). Dahm’s work entails open and investigative approach to art that has seen her develop exotic jewellery and exploring the light reflections and high technological processes. Her exceptional imperfection work has seen her win several awards. Jacqueline Cullen is a Briton and a designer who specialised in making the Whitby jet jewellery. Whitby Jet is a stone that is semi-precious which is in the form o hard and pure fossilised wood. Cullen piece of work is inspired by nature and the imperfections and darkness of the stones. She combines the stones with diamonds and yellow gold to create elegant and sensual jewellery. Each of Cullen’s pieces is hand carved thus making even more ‘imperfect’. Lastly, Gaetano Pesce is an Italian architect and artist who use resin to develop highly original and unique ring. As a brilliant innovative designer, he is commonly known for his experimental resin work. 2.3 Relevant Theories 2.3.1 Japanese Theory of Wabi-sabi Wabi-sabi is a theoretical concept that represents the aesthetics of the Japanese. It is the worldview of Japanese based on acceptance of imperfection and transience (Juniper 2011). The aesthetic in the art is based on it incompleteness, impermanency, and imperfectness. It entails the three marks of existence as taught by the Buddhists. Three marks are absence of self-nature or emptiness, suffering, and impermanence. The characteristics of wabi-sabi beauty include intimacy, modesty, austerity, simplicity, and economy (Hamilton 2003). In addition, it should include asymmetry, appreciation, and asperity which is the irregularity or roughness. 2.3.2 Modern Art Modern art is an illustration of people’s creative response to the rationalist perspectives and practices regarding new ideas and lives. The changes were based on the technological advancements during the industrial age that made the society to manifest itself in new ways as advancement from the past (Barrett 1997). Modern art called for the artists to present their work in a more innovative and modern way of life. Modern art refers to a several artistic genres that have existed for more than a century. Aesthetically, it entails the intent of the artist to portray a subject as it exists in the real life. In explanation, whatever portrayed should be in its unique and natural perspective. It, therefore, rejected the accepted traditional values and styles. 2.3.3 Postmodernism Postmodernism is the artistic concept that replaces the modernist ethos that was active from the 1950s to 1960s (Barrett 1997). In the modern period, the artists were driven by forward-thinking and radical approach, technological positivity ideas, and the narrative of Western progress and denominations. The Pop art and Neo-Dada in the post-war in America was the genesis of reaction against the mindset within the period thus came to be known as postmodernism. The reaction came in different forms for the four decades that included the installation art, performance art, video art, minimalism, and conceptual art. The movements are disparate and diverse yet connected with some features. For instance, all the work has some share of playful and ironical treatment of fragmented subject, an emphasis on spectacle and image, breakdown of low and high cultural hierarchies, and undermining the concepts of originality and authenticity. It is still the postmodern artwork that can be experienced in the case of moulding jewellery since it is against the casting concept. 3.0 Practical Aspects I do propose to make a ring out of wax mould. The materials to be used in the development of the rings include a wax, sharpening file, scriber, rough file, ball bur, sand paper, strong thread, and beads. The techniques that will be critical for the project will entail accuracy, scribing, and roughing while using the rough file and sharpening file. The skills that I will need to refine include scribing the wax so as to get the perfect shape. Furthermore, I will need to work on the roughing process so as to ensure that the ring is presentable despite being unique. The wax to be used should not be brittle while the file should be new so as to ease the rubbing process. In addition, the sand paper need to be new to ensure that less time is taken in smoothing the surface of the ring. The beads should also be in colours that will suitable match with blue so as to add aesthetic value to the ring. 4.0 The Process The ring is to be made using wax. The process will, therefore, start through using the lost wax casting system. The starting point will entail cutting a segment of the jewellers' wax which is a special wax that has great features for carving, sawing and cutting. The cutting will ensure that the outcome is a solid wax in a ring-shape. After which, I will create a whole of the same size that will be expected on a finished ring. I will then use a file to saw of excess materials. The second step will entail scribing the guidelines on the wax so as to give it the needed details. The next step will entail roughing the surface of the ring-shaped wax using a coarse file. The aim of roughing is to make it have details that cannot be replicated accurately. It is a critical step in ‘imperfecting' the ring. The next step will be adding texture using a ball bar after which a sand paper will be used to smooth the sides of the ring. Even though optional, a gap will be made on the lower side of the ring so as to enable insertion of threats. The threats will be used to add the beads on the ring. The process will be repeated four times with the intention of replicating the same kind of ring both in shape and materials. The goal of the process is to show the stress the imperfection associated with moulding the wax rings. Reference List Barrett, T 1997, ‘Modernism and postmodernism: An overview with art examples’, Art education: Content and practice in a postmodern era, pp. 17-30. Brooks, D 2010, Bobos in paradise: The new upper class and how they got there, Simon and Schuster, New York City. Ginnie day 2016, Karl Fritsch. Available from: < https://ginnieday.wordpress.com/2016/05/09/karl-fritsch/ >. [26 August 2016]. Hamilton, A 2003, ‘The art of recording and the aesthetics of perfection’, The British Journal of Aesthetics, vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 345-362. Jogia, N 2008, Handmade vs. cast engagement rings. Available from: < http://www.jogiadiamonds.com.au/blog/handmade-vs-cast-engagement-rings/ >. [26 August 2016]. Juniper, A 2011, Wabi sabi: The Japanese art of impermanence, Tuttle Pub, New York. K.O. Jewel (2013). Jewellery: Jacqueline Cullen. Available from: < http://www.kojewel.com/main/jewelry-jacqueline-cullen.htm >. [26 August 2016]. Karana, E, Pedgley, O, & Rognoli, V 2014, Materials experience: fundamentals of materials and design, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Ornamentum n.d., Johanna Dahm. Available from: < http://www.ornamentumgallery.com/artists/johanna-dahm >. [26 August 2016]. Read More