Festival del Sol Project: Iconic Narrative Placemaking Sculpture
Project Description
When this project initially started, we wanted to use a new method to improve a space, called Iconic Narrative Placemaking, in which we would improve the Freshman Hall by building sculptures that are iconic to HTHCV and that had meaning or told some sort of story. We had to build and design our own sculpture, and the sculpture we actually built was nothing even remotely close to our initial design. Through the critiquing process, we had to continue to improve and modify our design, to the point to where the sculpture wasn't really our own. So, we sat down as a group and came up with another design, one that both met the demands of the critiques but also felt like it was ours. On our first field trip of the year, we visited the San Diego Architectural Salvage to look for found objects that we might need in our sculpture, but due to our design, we didn't actually need any of those objects. So, we proceeded on to purchasing the materials we would need to build our sculpture, and once again found ourselves at a crossroads. Looking through materials made all of us realize that we really didn't like our design, and so once again, we came together as a group to design our newest model, and as they say, the third time was a charm. This was definitely the most abstract looking and eye catching design we had come up with and had the best underlying meaning, and at first glance we knew it was what we wanted to do. We were inspired by the picture of a dreamcatcher (idea #2), but didn't like that in a dreamcatcher we had to wait for our dreams to come to us. So we tweaked the design, without changing the materials, to show that at HTHCV, we don't wait for our dreams to come to us, we go out and chase our dreams. With our design finally finalized, we proceeded on to calculate the length of each string we would use (see design below) and about how much plywood we would need to build our frame. There were many more complications down the road, but in the end, we finished the sculpture, and I can honestly say I am very proud of it.
When this project initially started, we wanted to use a new method to improve a space, called Iconic Narrative Placemaking, in which we would improve the Freshman Hall by building sculptures that are iconic to HTHCV and that had meaning or told some sort of story. We had to build and design our own sculpture, and the sculpture we actually built was nothing even remotely close to our initial design. Through the critiquing process, we had to continue to improve and modify our design, to the point to where the sculpture wasn't really our own. So, we sat down as a group and came up with another design, one that both met the demands of the critiques but also felt like it was ours. On our first field trip of the year, we visited the San Diego Architectural Salvage to look for found objects that we might need in our sculpture, but due to our design, we didn't actually need any of those objects. So, we proceeded on to purchasing the materials we would need to build our sculpture, and once again found ourselves at a crossroads. Looking through materials made all of us realize that we really didn't like our design, and so once again, we came together as a group to design our newest model, and as they say, the third time was a charm. This was definitely the most abstract looking and eye catching design we had come up with and had the best underlying meaning, and at first glance we knew it was what we wanted to do. We were inspired by the picture of a dreamcatcher (idea #2), but didn't like that in a dreamcatcher we had to wait for our dreams to come to us. So we tweaked the design, without changing the materials, to show that at HTHCV, we don't wait for our dreams to come to us, we go out and chase our dreams. With our design finally finalized, we proceeded on to calculate the length of each string we would use (see design below) and about how much plywood we would need to build our frame. There were many more complications down the road, but in the end, we finished the sculpture, and I can honestly say I am very proud of it.
While going through this process, it felt very long, stressful, and quite frankly, pointless. From the very beginning our group lost its motivation and enthusiasm. I didn't feel connected to the project, and was honestly disappointed with the group that I was appointed to. When we were first told about this project, it sounded as if it would be the best project of the year, but that early enthusiasm felt like an old, distant memory. With time, however, I, and my group in general, came to appreciate the process, and an enthusiasm even greater than the first conquered the negative feelings. I loved the process of designing and critiquing because it gave us a feel for different types of audiences, and thus helped us be more open minded about our sculpture and what we wanted it to represent. Overall, however, my favorite part of the project was when we actually started measuring and building our frame because that is when I learned the most, and more importantly, when our group became united. When the year began, my strength was definitely not using tools and drawing or measuring designs, and that's all we did when we started building. I ended up learning the most from those that I was disappointed about having to work with in the beginning, and they ended up learning from me. Seeing the impact that we all had on each others dedication, skills, and worth ethics was definitely the highlight of the year for me. My group showed me that you really can learn from anyone, and that you're never better than anyone because there is something that that person is better than you at. Looking back on it, based on the purpose and principles of HTHCV, I believe I had the very best group.
Iconic Images and Structures of HTHCV Activity
One of the first steps in the process of begging this project was was the Iconic Images and Structures of HTHCV Activity. Before we could begin this activity however, we had to define what "iconic" actually meant. As a class, we decided that an iconic image is something that represents what location or place is all about. With that in mind, we were sent on a scavenger hunt with our group to find and take pictures of structures, projects and images that we felt were iconic to our school. We wanted our iconic locations to be different and unique from those of the other groups, so we chose to take pictures of the entrance to the bathrooms, the entrance to the school, and a bench outside of Junior Hall. We chose to take a picture of the bathroom because it showed just how much the students are involved at this school. The school wasn't just designed and built by engineers and that was the end of it. Even just walking into the simplest place, the bathroom, you see student's projects. That is very iconic to the educational system of HTH.
Iconic Images and Structures of HTHCV Activity
One of the first steps in the process of begging this project was was the Iconic Images and Structures of HTHCV Activity. Before we could begin this activity however, we had to define what "iconic" actually meant. As a class, we decided that an iconic image is something that represents what location or place is all about. With that in mind, we were sent on a scavenger hunt with our group to find and take pictures of structures, projects and images that we felt were iconic to our school. We wanted our iconic locations to be different and unique from those of the other groups, so we chose to take pictures of the entrance to the bathrooms, the entrance to the school, and a bench outside of Junior Hall. We chose to take a picture of the bathroom because it showed just how much the students are involved at this school. The school wasn't just designed and built by engineers and that was the end of it. Even just walking into the simplest place, the bathroom, you see student's projects. That is very iconic to the educational system of HTH.
This activity was very important because it was the first step that really started our project. It not only made me think about the deeper meanings of the previous projects at HTH, but also made me think about what HTHCV was really about. This activity also influenced my thoughts about the project because it made me realize that what our Team (The Atomic Hive) was trying to accomplish was completely original, and that no other class had ever tried anything like what we were about to do before. This helped motivate me because it made me want to put a message in our sculpture that had also never been used. The activity also worked as a sort of mental venn diagram for me because it made me think about what aspects from previous projects I might like to incorporate in my sculpture, and what aspects I didn't like from previous projects. It also made me think about where I would want my sculpture to go. As I was exploring, I realized that almost all of the good or major projects were located at the front of the school where the main entrance is located. It made sense, but it still didn't feel right that the amount of decorations was so unbalanced. It was like if you had a Christmas tree, but only decorated half; it doesn't matter how beautifully or delicately decorated that half is, people are still going to notice that half of the tree isn't decorated. That's really when I decided that I wanted to make something big, and wanted to put it in the Freshman Hall.
Pitch Presentations
The Pitch Presentations were the first steps in designing and choosing our sculpture. After we had had our Blue Sky Brainstorming session, we came together as a group and made two designs that we turned in to powerpoint presentations. Using those power points, we would pitch our designs to the rest of the team and get feedback on them. With the feedback that we received, we were to modify and improve our sculpture's design. Our first design was the simplest design but hardest to achieve. It was an infinity sign that we planned to fill with water and small rocks. The rocks would have small drawings of people's hopes and dreams, and would flow in the infinity sign with water. Our second design was the most sophisticated. It was basically a fountain with an eagle on top that would have a weal in the center. As the water fell from the fountain, the weal in the center would turn.
Pitch Presentations
The Pitch Presentations were the first steps in designing and choosing our sculpture. After we had had our Blue Sky Brainstorming session, we came together as a group and made two designs that we turned in to powerpoint presentations. Using those power points, we would pitch our designs to the rest of the team and get feedback on them. With the feedback that we received, we were to modify and improve our sculpture's design. Our first design was the simplest design but hardest to achieve. It was an infinity sign that we planned to fill with water and small rocks. The rocks would have small drawings of people's hopes and dreams, and would flow in the infinity sign with water. Our second design was the most sophisticated. It was basically a fountain with an eagle on top that would have a weal in the center. As the water fell from the fountain, the weal in the center would turn.
Just from the beginning of the brainstorming, it was clear that this project was not going to be an easy one. When we received the feedback, however, is when we realized just how complicated this project was going to be. After the presentations, we realized that it would probably be better if we didn't use water in our sculpture, because that would quickly deteriorate any lightweight material that we could use. So we started looking online for ideas, and found an amazing string sculpture, and that is when we came up with the dreamcatcher idea, but it was clear that the group wasn't buying into it. Our solution was to modify our dreamcatcher design so that it would fit everyone's wish at least a little bit. I honestly am really happy with the design that we used and how our final product looks. In this project I learned a lot about symmetry and construction, and not just from teachers, but also from classmates, and that is why this project is so special to me. I grew a lot during this project, not just as an individual, but also as a student and a co-worker because we faced so many obstacles that I had never experienced before. It seemed that every day there was a new problem that we had to deal with, whether it was academic, social, or anything else, that every day we were all pushed to new limits. I loved that, because that is when you really know what you need to improve on, what kind of worker you are, how much dedication you have, and even what kind of person you are in general. Just as I molded the sculpture into a new shape, the sculpture molded me into a new shape. I, just like our design, was remade. I learned how to do new things, but also when to restrain myself in class and let others also experience that growth.
Sculpture Narrative Process
Along with our sculpture, we also had to come up with a narrative/metaphor that was displayed with it. It had to be powerful and had to embody what we wanted our sculpture to represent, yet had to be very short. We used the same process that we used with our designs and pitch presentations to chose our narrative. First, we had to come up with three or four as a group, and then present those narratives to the class. Then the class voted for the top 2, and then gave us advise on how to improve them. In the end, the change in our narrative wasn't as dramatic as the change in our designs, but it was substantially different, even though we didn't really use any of the advise that we received from our classmates.
Sculpture Narrative Process
Along with our sculpture, we also had to come up with a narrative/metaphor that was displayed with it. It had to be powerful and had to embody what we wanted our sculpture to represent, yet had to be very short. We used the same process that we used with our designs and pitch presentations to chose our narrative. First, we had to come up with three or four as a group, and then present those narratives to the class. Then the class voted for the top 2, and then gave us advise on how to improve them. In the end, the change in our narrative wasn't as dramatic as the change in our designs, but it was substantially different, even though we didn't really use any of the advise that we received from our classmates.
I really like our metaphor because it is simple and light, yet carries a heavy truth. Basically what it is saying is that life never hands you anything, it's only going to give you the rope you need to climb to get to what you want. If you don't take advantage of those opportunities that life gives you, you will not get to where you want to be. In fact, our narrative also holds true to the process that we used to make our sculpture. Nothing was just given to us in this project, we had to work out what we needed with what we had. We didn't get the measurements of the string; we got a whiteboard and an Expo marker so that we could solve it. We didn't get our frame already built, we got the plywood and the tools to measure, cut, and put it together. This narrative doesn't just apply to us high school students, but to everyone in the real world.