Ambitious Cardboard (pt. 1)

Our assignment: To re-create an organic item in larger than life scale using nothing but cardboard and wood glue.

Given our assignment, we were all presented with a table full of objects. Bones, seeds, shells, corals; there was certainly a wide assortment, but nothing really called to me. Then Prof. Davenport mentioned he had some insects to choose from as well. That piqued my curiosity. 

After having taken Entomology while I was a Biology major at Baylor, I gained a new appreciation for insect's almost alien beauty and the depth of complexity they have once you take a closer look.

Among the collection were several beetles, a grasshopper, a cicada, and several wasps. I was initially drawn to the wasp, but dismissed  it as too difficult. However, the idea had already taken root, and I wasn't satisfied with doing anything else. Wasp it was.

I knew my typical approach of messing around with it until something clicked wasn't going to cut it here. This project needed some planning. I began by making many sketches of the individual pieces I would be assembling: head, thorax, hind-quarters, wings and legs. I decided on this approach since insects themselves are segmented. I even dug out my old entomology text to find more detailed illustrations.

I began by constructing a box-like thorax, leaving it open on the sides so that the wings and tail could be attached and supported inside. Later, I will close this with either cardboard or craft paper, depending on how either looks on the piece. A simple hole was cut for the tail to fit into, and initially, I was going to cut the same holes for the wings. However, I decided to cut a cross-like shape in the wing holes instead, to create a snugger fit for the wings and (hopefully) more support.

So far, plans seem to be working out. I still need to devise my method for constructing the head, though I have a rough idea. My only concerns are time, and I've already become well aware that this project will require a lot of out-of-class time. Perhaps a wasp was a tad ambitious, but why do the project at all if it doesn't stretch you as an artist? I remember Prof. Davenport saying that the goal of this class was to make at least one amazing thing. I want to approach all my work as if it's destined to become that amazing thing.