Introduction
For the Explorations unit, we were given the opportunity to explore a new skill in depth and expand on our existing passions. For my project, I created a 3D mixed media collage by combining various elements that connect me to my family. I chose to create a mixed-media collage because I knew from the beginning that I wanted to explore physical design, as I lacked experience. Through 3D mixed media, I could utilize items in my home to make a piece that holds significance to me, my culture, and my family while creating something brand new.
Process
My first step was borrowing some Carnatic music books from my dad. Carnatic music is a style of traditional music in Karnataka, India. My family is from Karnataka, so I thought it would be fitting to incorporate some of the music sheets in my collage. I did this by scanning the pages I liked, printing them out, and then staining the papers with tea to make them beige and crumpling them to make them wrinkly for texture. I enjoyed this part of the process because I like the smell of tea, so it was very therapeutic!
My next step was taking a photo of my mom’s hand. I had her position her hands like she was pouring something out of them, and then I took a photo and printed it. I also used a shawl I purchased on a trip to Pondicherry, India for the background because I liked the symmetrical pattern it had when it was spread out. Pondicherry was once a French colonial-settlement so the town is filled with French architecture and an interesting blend of Indian and French elements. The shawl reminds me of the Summer I spent there with my family.
I then used Mod Podge to seal all the pieces together in an arrangement I liked!
I wanted to make it look like water was flowing out of my mom’s hands, so I decided to use some sari blouse fabric that she’d given me. I wanted the sari fabric to have a lot of folds to make it look fluid and show form, so I used super glue to glue each fold together until I was satisfied.
I then added artificial flowers to make it look like flowers were flowing through the “water.” I chose these white flowers specifically because they kind of reminded me of the jasmines that grow in my grandma’s front yard. I’ve liked the smell of jasmine since childhood and its fragrance reminds me of her and spending time in her home.
To finish off the piece, I added extra details like gold beads on my mom’s wrist to resemble bangles and a tiny trinket box my grandma bought me at a street shop.
Here is my final product!
From the explorations project, I learned a lot about composition and risk-taking. As a person who is better inclined to digital design, I am used to having an undo button and being able to try out different arrangements and styles in a piece before deciding on one. However, in this project, I had to take some risks and trust myself that the composition of my piece would look okay in the end. In the beginning, I spent a lot of time worrying if my ideas would look good, but closer to the end, I began going with the flow and I got a lot more done. Hopefully, the practice I gained in composing and risk-taking will help me work with improved speed and confidence in my digital designs.
Watch my explorations presentation here:
Music Recording
For the music recording project, I and Sylvia C. worked together to create a voice and viola cover of “Fly Me To the Moon” by Frank Sinatra. Neither of us had done a duet like this before, so we were excited to try it together! We got to record our parts in the recording studio and learn to use professional music recording equipment. I then used Pro Tools to put our parts together and make a proper cover. Through the music recording project, I learned a lot about how musicians record their music and I’m excited to create more projects there in the future! It was a super fun experience, and I’d definitely do it again.
Listen to our cover below!
Artist statement: I created a cover of “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra with Sylvia C. One of the main reasons we chose this song is because we thought it would sound interesting as a voice and viola duet, and we both liked the song. Sylvia sang the lovely vocals, and I played the viola part. Learning to use Freestyle Academy’s recording studio was a cool experience and I felt (almost) professional. I’d love to record more music in there for a future project. After completing this project, I’m most proud of our ability to make changes on the fly. Sylvia and I picked out the song just two days before recording and hadn’t practiced it together beforehand. In the recording studio, we had to make some changes to our parts, and Sylvia had to sing an octave lower than what she was used to. Overall, I’m happy with our result, and I’m sure Sylvia and I will make even cooler music next time we try recording together.