I MADE THAT!
P H OTOS BY B R I T TA NY S I E V E R S , H AY D E N N AG I N , C H U N F E N G LU
PROMOTING MINDFULNESS THROUGH S C U L P T U R E W I T H B R I T TA N Y S I E V E R S
M F A C A N D I D AT E B R I T TA N Y S I E V E R S utilizes space, raw
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Once the pieces are made, they dry out and are ready to go into the kiln. The kiln is fired to 2,134 degrees Fahrenheit.
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After firing, I mounted the pieces to a 1' x 6' board with epoxy. I mounted them in sections so they were moveable and easy to install in the space. I also attached plumbers strap to the back so they could hang flush to the wall.
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Ceramic Strand was site specific and filled the space between each door in the hallway, creating a type of horizon line.
materials, and labor to promote mindfulness, drawing from social psychologist Ellen Langer’s definition, “the simple act of actively noticing.” In 2015, Brittany was awarded the prestigious International Sculpture Center’s Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award for her piece titled 10,656 Palms, which resulted in her being chosen to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime artist’s residency in Switzerland, where she worked closely with world-renowned sculptor Heinz Aeschlimann in spring 2017. Here, Brittany shares her process for her most recent installation, Ceramic Strand. 1.
The beginning of Ceramic Strand started with digging my own clay. I drove about an hour north of Baton Rouge to find usable soil, filled up some bins, and brought it back to my studio to process it.
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Processing dirt into clay is pretty easy, but time consuming. I added water to the dirt so it became the consistency of pudding. Then I ran the clay through a wire screen to get out all the rocks, twigs, and roots. After I accumulated a bucket full, I placed the clay slip on a plaster block to dry. As the slip dries, it turns into workable clay.
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The next step is making each multiple. These pieces are the space between my pointer finger and index finger and have a slight twist so they can stand on their own. I made about three tables full of these pieces.
QUAD · LSU COLLEG E OF ART & DE S I G N
Brittany creating Ceramic Strand