Surface Tension is an installation by artist Alisa Dworsky. Its subject is gravity and counterweights. The nets are made by a traditional lace making technique and are inspired by topographical drawings. The counterweights are used the raise the contour lines (nets) from the floor surface bringing the work into 3 dimensions. I am fascinated by the ideas behind this work and intend to bring some notion of weight and tension into my own work. I was drawn to this work because of the nets, a subject which is recurring throughout my project. The aesthetics of nets much like mesh really appeal to me and will no doubt crop up again throughout the development of my ideas.
Alisa Dworsky
Starting FMP
This week was the first week of the Final Major Project. After introducing the project with a presentation, it was up to us to find a starting point through research and contextual reference. I looked over a number of books including Sculpture Today (Collins, 2007) and Raw+Material=Art (Manco, 2012) before taking to the internet for inspiration. As usual Pinterest was my first stop.
My Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/abbie020896/
I knew that I wanted to create something sculptural, I also assumed that textiles would feature in some capacity. While researching I came across the work of Ruth Asawa, who creates large wire mesh sculptures, focusing on form and transparency. I was drawn to the fluid organic shapes and the way that her pieces hung seemingly without weight.
I also came across Susan Baellor-Snyder, an American artist who uses manila rope to make woven, tangled wall hangings. Alisa Dworsky creates installations using nets, focusing on tension and counterweight as a theme. Finally, Andrew Kudless who uses fabric casting as a sculptural technique. I also felt that Eva Hesse would be a relevant artist reference, specifically her textile based works.
Abbie Lewis 