This project went through multiple iterations as I struggled to work with unfamiliar materials and hit my head against the wall multiple times. Regardless, I’m proud of my final results as it achieved the lighting effects I had originally conceptualized, which I had worried would be too difficult.
My piece looks abstract when viewed in normal lighting conditions but, when lit at particular angles, form distinct recognizable shapes. The piece speaks about climate change as one shadow depicts a mother polar bear searching for her cub and the other shadow depicts the lone cub. They are separated on different icebergs (and different walls), referencing how climate change continues to melt the polar ice caps, the habitat in which these polar bears live.
One angle of the abstract sculpture. 
Another angle of the abstract sculpture.
The scene where the mother polar bear looks forlornly towards her cub.
I’m happy with both of the shadows but I’m especially happy with the mother polar bear. The shadows look almost identical to my original concept drawings.
The shadow of the mother polar bear. 
The shadow of the baby bear cub.
____________
Process
Although my piece took multiple attempts, I will only describe the process that led to my final result. I had purchased ten pounds of air dry clay from CC Lowells and small flashlights from Price Chopper.
I found molding clay to be incredibly satisfying (and easier to work with than Play-doh). I sat hunched over on the floor with a cup of water next to me, a toothpick in my gloved hands, and multiple books propping up the flashlights. After struggling for some time sculpting, I used a piece of paper with the shadow outline already drawn on. This significantly eased the process and allowed me to understand how different parts of the sculpture affected the shadows. The sculpting process spanned approximately two weeks. By using cling wrap and water as needed, the sculpture remained easy to work with throughout the entire time.
For the lighting, I encountered an issue using the flashlights I had purchased. The reflectors within the flashlight created multiple shadows, making the overall shadow fuzzy. It’s essential that the shadows are crisp and distinct to maximize the artistic impact and, therefore, the reflectors needed to be covered. Using the other end of a hammer, I broke through the plastic, but, not before smashing the flashlight with the hammer multiple times to no avail. Clay was then applied on top of the reflectors and the flashlights now create a single distinct shadow.
The multiple subtle shadows created due to the reflectors. 
The flashlight with clay on the reflectors.
____________
Changes
The biggest difference between the final result and the concept proposal is the removal of any references to soda. My first two attempts utilized aluminum soda cans but I found it frustratingly difficult to achieve the level of detail I was looking for, whether it was using only soda cans or aluminum strips superglued onto clay. My third attempt involved the labels on plastic bottles. Even with this significantly more easily malleable material, the subtle wrinkles in the labels were seen distinctly in the shadows. At the end, I had to accept that I couldn’t sufficiently incorporate references to soda in a way that wouldn’t compromise the shadows. I decided that I would rather focus on the lighting portion of the project than the symbolism behind the sculpture’s wrapping.
The first attempt was quickly given up upon. 
The second attempt cost many many hours and created a boxy, robotic bear. 
The third attempt with the materials still laid out.
____________
Overall, I’m satisfied with my project and the new experiences working with unfamiliar materials and light/shadows. I enjoyed my time seeing other people’s consistently inspiring work and the process of exchanging ideas and advice.
Thank you for contributing to an enjoyable A-term! I hope you more good terms are to come.