Reduction Exercise (2017)

Material:  Compressed Pastel

Surface: Illustration Board

The purpose of this work was to use the reduction technique in order to render a premade sculpture. The sculpture setup lasted for roughly three weeks and students were able to freely visit the display as much as they could. The sculpture was a group effort, students were asked to cover an entire board in compressed pastel. Once the explanation was delivered, everyone had a part in putting it together. The installation would be kept untouched until the end of the work period and students were able to visit the room at any time, as frequently as desired. Every student had a sense of responsibility for the installation, if the work were to be touched and manipulated even slightly everything would change. The room was dark and was only lit with a specific light installation, this is why it was very important to keep the site safe.

The technique that had to be used was reduction. By erasing the material dense surface and exposing the white of the paper, texture and definition could be achieved. Students were forced to scuplt their ereasing materials into new forms and shapes in order to act as replacements to what they would traditionally use, thus creating a connection and sense of handmade quality to not only the piece itself but the material used as well.

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