I have come to a decision on what to make for my FMP.
I intend to make a working scale model of Baron von Drais' 'Laufmaschine' (1816) - the first official form of two-wheeled, human-propelled transport that led, through development, to the evolution of the chain driven bicycle.
I will make the model in the context of a museum piece with a view to it being on display in a museum of transport or, more specifically, cycling and non-motorised methods of travel.
I hope to make it exactly as it would have been, only at a smaller scale - 1:3 or 1:4 would be preferable.
On a further note, I have been approached by Paul Johnson (course leader) to do two week's work experience in London for a design company making models of exhibits for a museum/gallery exhibition which, I have accepted.
This will limit, somewhat, the amount I will be able to submit as it'll reduce my planning and making time by about 12 days in total.
I feel I am capable of making my Laufmaschine model in a fairly short period but am aware that as there are no plans and very few drawings of the original, I will need to produce a full set of working drawings to be able to make a successful model.
If I complete my model by the deadline, as I intend to, then I will be able to attempt the two-week short project after Easter. This might be a figure sculpt, possibly a larger scale reproduction of the Django Reinhardt sculpt I did in first year, an insect or maybe a game/film character piece.
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Monday 17 January 2011
Change of plan (to a degree)
Instead of pursuing an entirely entomological model, natural history-based FMP, I've decided to look into other fields of making.
I was unable to find an insect or similar life form that inspired me enough, despite finding many interesting and peculiar creatures. Reflecting back on the success of my wasp model from last year I've now decided that committing entirely to an insect model might not be the best thing.
The other subject area that's appealing to me right now is one that I'm actively involved in and continually fascinated by - CYCLING
The evolution of the bicycle, various designs and specific aspects of cycle design are continual interests of mine.
I've had a few thoughts of what I could make as a model that relates to this topic and a few things have sprung to mind…
The first bicycle or recognised form of two-wheeled, human-propelled transport. This is the 'Laufmachine' (1816) designed and patented by Baron von Drais (Baden, Germany). It was also known as the 'Draisine' (English) and 'Draisienne' (French). The design was developed in the 1820s and became known as the both the Hobby Horse and Dandy Horse.
I'm also very interested in the field of vintage racing cycles (pre 1980s). I own both a classic 1977 Carlton Circuit which, I've had for over two years and an earlier Royal Enfield Falcon that I've had for more than five years.
What I like about old racers is the design. The shape of the bicycle hasn't altered all that much since the 1920s but the materials and details in them have and it was in this classic cycling period, when the Tour de France was a massive spectacle, that the detailing on many frame sets was ramped up.
I'm a huge fan of the vintage racing style, which has (unfortunately in my opinion) been ripped off by the recent 'fixie' craze that's evolved from the city courier scene, particularly in London, in the last ten years. This scene has taken to finding frame sets made by the most reputable manufacturers in the UK, France and Italy and stripped them down to nothing but the frame, wheels and a fixed, single-speed gear on the rear wheel and, often doing away with brakes altogether. It's now become fashionable to acquire and - effectively - tart up beautiful, old frames and make them look as 'individual' as possible, something many modifiers do to the detriment of the aesthetics of their machines.
One particular aspect of vintage cycle design that I enjoy is lug-work. The often intricate and delicate tube housings used in joining the framework together.
I was unable to find an insect or similar life form that inspired me enough, despite finding many interesting and peculiar creatures. Reflecting back on the success of my wasp model from last year I've now decided that committing entirely to an insect model might not be the best thing.
The other subject area that's appealing to me right now is one that I'm actively involved in and continually fascinated by - CYCLING
The evolution of the bicycle, various designs and specific aspects of cycle design are continual interests of mine.
I've had a few thoughts of what I could make as a model that relates to this topic and a few things have sprung to mind…
The first bicycle or recognised form of two-wheeled, human-propelled transport. This is the 'Laufmachine' (1816) designed and patented by Baron von Drais (Baden, Germany). It was also known as the 'Draisine' (English) and 'Draisienne' (French). The design was developed in the 1820s and became known as the both the Hobby Horse and Dandy Horse.
Laufmaschine
I'm also very interested in the field of vintage racing cycles (pre 1980s). I own both a classic 1977 Carlton Circuit which, I've had for over two years and an earlier Royal Enfield Falcon that I've had for more than five years.
What I like about old racers is the design. The shape of the bicycle hasn't altered all that much since the 1920s but the materials and details in them have and it was in this classic cycling period, when the Tour de France was a massive spectacle, that the detailing on many frame sets was ramped up.
I'm a huge fan of the vintage racing style, which has (unfortunately in my opinion) been ripped off by the recent 'fixie' craze that's evolved from the city courier scene, particularly in London, in the last ten years. This scene has taken to finding frame sets made by the most reputable manufacturers in the UK, France and Italy and stripped them down to nothing but the frame, wheels and a fixed, single-speed gear on the rear wheel and, often doing away with brakes altogether. It's now become fashionable to acquire and - effectively - tart up beautiful, old frames and make them look as 'individual' as possible, something many modifiers do to the detriment of the aesthetics of their machines.
One particular aspect of vintage cycle design that I enjoy is lug-work. The often intricate and delicate tube housings used in joining the framework together.
Herbie Helm (Michigan) frame and laug-work
The possible pieces I could make from these ideas include
- small-scale model of the Laufmaschine
- full-size working model the Laufmaschine
- large-scale enlargement of intricate lug-work
- full-size/actual set of lugs for a racing frame
Both of the lug pieces would probably involve an element of design on my behalf, although I could replicate an original design from an actual bicycle.
Monday 3 January 2011
Final Major Piece
January is here and it's time to be getting on with research for the Final Major Project.
I am, as yet, undecided on precisely what I'm making but have narrowed it down to another entomological (insect) model.
This is because I enjoyed my Communication Interaction piece last year so much more than any of the other projects and achieved, although unfinished, a much better final result. I made a 20:1 scale model of the very rare Purbeck Mason Wasp (Pseudepipona herrichii). This time I want to make a model of something that's interesting, peculiar and, preferably, very strange to look at. I hope to make the model as large and impressive as possible, which will hopefully help get me noticed at New Blades in June and provide a strong piece for my portfolio.
I've been leafing through a book of anatomical illustrations: The Anatomy of Insects and Spiders (Beverley.C and Ponsonby. D, 2007, Ivy Press, Lewes, UK). The book contains over 600 illustrations (black and white line drawings) of many different species of insect and arachnid. I've been looking through this book to gain inspiration and possibly the actual subject matter for my project.
I am, so far, looking primarily at Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants) and Phasmids (stick insects and praying mantises). As they are such strange-looking creatures I'm being drawn most towards the mantis and have already found a few possible candidates.Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)
Devil's Flower Mantis (Idolomantis Diabolica)
Madagascan Ghost Mantid (Phyllocrania paradoxa)
These three stand out most because they're such interesting specimens and would make great, large-scale models.
I am, as yet, undecided on precisely what I'm making but have narrowed it down to another entomological (insect) model.
This is because I enjoyed my Communication Interaction piece last year so much more than any of the other projects and achieved, although unfinished, a much better final result. I made a 20:1 scale model of the very rare Purbeck Mason Wasp (Pseudepipona herrichii). This time I want to make a model of something that's interesting, peculiar and, preferably, very strange to look at. I hope to make the model as large and impressive as possible, which will hopefully help get me noticed at New Blades in June and provide a strong piece for my portfolio.
I've been leafing through a book of anatomical illustrations: The Anatomy of Insects and Spiders (Beverley.C and Ponsonby. D, 2007, Ivy Press, Lewes, UK). The book contains over 600 illustrations (black and white line drawings) of many different species of insect and arachnid. I've been looking through this book to gain inspiration and possibly the actual subject matter for my project.
I am, so far, looking primarily at Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants) and Phasmids (stick insects and praying mantises). As they are such strange-looking creatures I'm being drawn most towards the mantis and have already found a few possible candidates.Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)
Devil's Flower Mantis (Idolomantis Diabolica)
Madagascan Ghost Mantid (Phyllocrania paradoxa)
These three stand out most because they're such interesting specimens and would make great, large-scale models.
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