My idea for this project is heavily inspired by my family’s favorite vacation spot. Ever summer for the past 50 years, my mom’s side of the family and some family friends go to vacation at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks, and it is so beautiful and holds so many great memories that I had to choose this as my project. While I had this idea before we saw any inspiration in class, I was really influenced by the Abyss table from the slide show in class. I was so amazed by the how the blue glass created such an illusion of depth in the table, and I hope that my piece is big enough to achieve a similar affect. My plan for the piece is partially outlined in the picture that I sketched below. I want the cut slices based on the depth of the lake and I plan on cutting the outline of the lake with a light colored plywood, and then I plan to cut out the “water” part of the lake with transparent blue acrylic and place it inside the wood cut-outs like puzzle pieces to portray the depth of the water.
Hi Syndey! I love this idea- I am doing a similar project and replicating my favorite vacation spot too. Do you know what software you are planning on using to replicate the geography?
I am not going to use any software! I have found a map with the depth contours and decided tracing them might be easier!
Do you plan to make this project based on the actual geography of the lake or based off your drawing?
The project will be based on the actual depth of the lake and I have decided not to do any geography above the surface, only the depths below.
Hi Sydney! I’m excited to see your final piece! How do you plan to counteract the warping that might occur with using birch plywood?
I had not thought about this until I got into the lab yesterday to do some test cuts. I think when I do the cutting I will try to use something to weight the corners of the wood down, and in my cut my final piece, I will take my time to glue down each piece and make sure it is flat.
Hey Sydney! Do you have any plans of size for this piece?
Yes! The current plan is to have it be 12 inches by 15 inches.
Hey Sydney! What message/emotions do you want the viewer to understand/feel?
I really want the depth of the acrylic part to portray the serenity and calm that I feel when i go to the lake with my family.
Do you have a plan for the edges of the plywood around the acrylic? I saw that the Abyss piece has jagged edges as opposed to a large cube look and was wondering if you wanted to take it in the same direction.
I plan to leave it as a solid, even block of the plywood. After the term is over, I will bring the piece home and my dad will help me to make a nice frame!
Hi Sydney, the bold border of the piece is an amazing point to make the art piece wonderful. Do you have any plans for layering the border? Like will it be a laser-cut border or the darkest layer will be at the bottom?
The boarders of each slice will just be laser cut! I realize now that perhaps using color in my sketch might’ve been misleading, but I think my intention will be more clear when I post my progress of the cuts.