Cardboard Zodiac

November 16th, 2011 at 08:00am ivar_theorin

In addition to working on paper sculptures, I have also been working on a series of cardboard masks representing the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. For the mask project I have made a point of working spontaneously going on intuition. Without a pre-meditated plan I have cut, folded, glued and taped the cardboard to create the animal heads. Cardboard works well for this of process, as it is strong and rigid, but still can be shaped by cutting halfway through and folded along the cut. A re-occurring question from visitors has been: “Is this the finished work or will you add paint or some other finish to the masks?” My answer is, these works are three dimensional sketches and the process of making them is as important as the finished result. I deliberately leave them raw to make this process visible and to reveal traces of the spontaneous impulses that has guided me. It has been a fun project and the response has been great. People have been responding to the use of materials, and enjoyed the interactive element of trying the masks on.

Entry Filed under: in the studio