Katie Baek
Wired Dreams
Prompt: Using wire you will create a 3D line drawing in space. You will select a manmade inorganic object to base your wire sculpture on. In a following technical drawing you will identify all of the lines needed both to make the piece structurally sound as well as readily recognizable as what it is replicating. As all connectors are design elements you will learn how to unify their shape as well as placement to enhance the both the form and function of your finished piece.
When we were first told about this assignment I immediately knew that I wanted to make some sort of bra garment. The juxtaposition of the hard, utilitarian wire against a symbol of feminism and delicacy intrigued me. I wanted to see how I could push the boundaries of bending, twisting, and drawing with the wire to recreate dainty yet intricate lace trim. I used a thicker, 16 gauge steel wire to create the base of the bra and give it a stable structure. The construction of this was much like building the bones of a house, then working outwards and adding the exterior details. We were encouraged to think of every functional binding and connection as a design opportunity, which inspired me to wrap some of the connections with copper wire as well.
For the display, I went back and forth between doing something rough, grungy, and bold or creating a lovely, romantic scene around it. In the end I created this dreamy environment inspired by renaissance paintings, to contrast the armour-like quality of the bra piece.
