Golf Hole: Final (Art 343/381: Critical Play)

Artist's Statement:
Here is my final miniature golf hole. I built it quarter-size using Pepakura. I hoped to create a surreal replica of a Salvador Dali clock, in order to make a unique art concept on a golf course.

Makerbot: Final "Piano on Mute" (Art 350: Advanced Digital Media)

Artist Statement:
The piano is known for the beautiful melodies that its 88 keys can produce. But beyond its sound, its structure is just as stunning.

I started playing piano at age 5 when my mom made me start taking lessons after she impulsively bought this Kohler & Campbell baby grand. Reluctant at first, I fell in love with the instrument and have been playing ever since. I have also become attached to my piano, where others just don’t feel right to play.

For this project, I hoped to create a model that focused on both that structural beauty and my personal attachment to my baby grand.

I built several variations of my piano, both as a whole and in pieces, in Google Sketch Up. I then printed all the parts using the Makerbot. The material is a rough-like plastic, of which I trimmed and sanded using a Dremel tool. Some model paint and hot glue added the finishing touches.

With this model being silent, or on mute, I hope the viewer can appreciate the structure of the instrument I worked to replicate and build.



Here's a little more about the process:

I spent hours and hours printing this piano on the Makerbot. Since it's such a new technology, I encountered and worked through several malfunctions, such as the platform slipping which shifted the whole print job or the entire top of the machine falling off. A big thanks to Clint Sleeper for all his patience and help in helping solve these malfunctions.

Aside from the printing, I also had some trouble with the assembly and painting since the material is so rough. The sanding didn't seem to help enough with this.

Despite the problems that arose, I feel that I gave myself enough time to work through them and am happy with the end result.