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Reflect: After the first two shadow based projects, I learned that light can easily be manipulated and can create an infinite amount of shapes. Every 3D object produces some kind of shadow when a light is shined at it, or around it. This creates a new natural element for us to explore while creating our 3D masterpieces. The direction of the light is crucial to creating the right shape. As you move the light just an inch, the shape being projected by the object can completely change before your eyes. This can make finding the right position challenging. These projects forced me to think about how big of a role light plays in human existence. As well as making me realize light is always present in our lives. This is why I think light is such an important aspect of 3D art. I think that utilizing this element in art also shows a full understanding of the work being created. Proving that you thought about all perspectives of your creation.

Research and Brainstorm: When we created our drawings of shadows being produced by different objects we had full control over the light source. This allowed us to project the light in the optimal direction to create specific shapes. I think of light as a natural element of life, and I think it would be interesting to use the sun instead of our own light source. This will not allow for the same sense of detail that our smaller light sources were able to produce. Not only because the sun is so far away, but because our planet is in constant motion. The potential benefit of using the sun could be that the shapes being produced will change and transform over time.

Design: I want to make some sort of staircase that incorporates the sun as a light source and projects different shadows on the surrounding walls throughout the day. The shapes will change as the day progresses. The staircase will either be outside or bordering a glass wall to allow the sunlight to pass through.

Produce: I started out by cutting up a cardboard box into 13 small rectangles. Then I took 3 of those rectangles and cut them into 6 triangles. With a hot glue gun, I glued down 5 rectangles perpendicular to the paper. The last 5 rectangles were then glued to the paper leaning on the first 5 that I had glued down. Lastly, I took the triangles and placed them so that they would prevent light from coming through the hole between the tent-like structures I had formed with the rectangles.

Record Your Process:

Research: Looking into different types of staircases and the way that the structure affects the shadow projected.

Brainstorming and Sketching: I started off by playing with the shape of the stairs. In my first sketch, I decided to curve them and mirror this shape underneath in an attempt to create oval shadows. My next idea was to create a brick-like pattern on the wall by adding in thin rectangles below each stair so that the wall would look like it is made of bricks. This would also create parallelograms as the sun moved throughout the day. My final and favorite idea was to make the stairs into right triangles jutting out of the wall. This would almost depict a tree when the shadow is cast on the wall. I like this theme of nature because that is what inspired my idea to use the sun in the first place. The tree would grow and slowly fall throughout the day depicting the lifespan of a tree. Each day would bring the tree new life just like the sun provides light and heat for our life.