Heidi Dinius' Portfolio: Sculpture Final Project

SCULPTURE FINAL PROJECT

Animated Bones

9 in tall (being held, 13in from head to tail tip laid flat), 4 in wide

Being allowed to try anything this time, I decided to attempt a long term dream of mine: to create an art doll. These are posable figures created with clay elements (usually just the head and feet, occasionally other embellishments), a wire armature connecting them, and finally quilt batting cover with fabric to put meat on the bones. These figures have always fascinated me, partly due to them often being fantastical creatures, but also due to the ability to move in any way. Articulation is a huge interest of mine deeply rooted in my childhood of playing with my brother's actions figures (or even my own stuffed animals). His action figures could move in any way you pleased, allowing for endless stories to be enacted without limitations and breathed life into the figures as they did your bidding. As a result, much of my art has leaned into that unlimited options I experienced as a child at play, focusing on movement and fluidity.

Without much plan in mind, I began sculpting what I originally intended to be a dragon but quickly turned into a skeletal dinosaur, inspired from my own bone shorthand developed from years of doodling. I painted and then varnished the clay, preparing to move to the next them of assembly. All seemed well until I quickly ran into problems with the clay I was using, it completely resisted direct contact with the varnish, and without that the paint around the holes would chip. So I naturally tried the next closest sealant, white glue. Once again, the clay resisted this and the white glue also peeled off. I assumed this was due to the clay's ability to be reactivated with water (therefore never truly drying), and unable to wait through any more lengthy dry times on a clay with such a detrimental property I opted to keep going.

Troubles continued as I attempted to create a wire skeleton to attach the bones. Perhaps I lacked the proper wire or the skills to work with wire, but either way I was very dissatisfied with my final skeleton. Hoping it would get better, I tried covering a small section with fabric, but without the quilt batting to keep the wire from sliding around inside I found it unmanageable. Finally ditching everything but the clay pieces, I pivoted to another movable figure type, a marionette. I'd always been somewhat interested in marionettes, mostly due to watching the 1965 movie The Sound of Music frequently as a kid and being fascinated with the yodeling puppets. Instead of wire, I now used yarn to string together the pieces. Once again trouble came as I had not designed the pieces for the stringing process of a marionette, so the final result was not able to move like it's inspiration would.

Although the final result isn't one I'm particularly proud of, the amount I learned going through the process is undeniable. I discovered that clay quality does actually matter, the limitations of wire, and to ALWAYS test my materials together before proceeding with a project using unfamiliar materials. Despite being displeased with the project, though I am my worst critic and all, I still hope the piece brings out that childlike fascination in others in the magical movement of toys like I had experienced growing up. I also hope that the story behind the process helps encourage others in their own pursuits to not give up at first try, but to continue on until the final result is achieved. I for one will not be stopping here and am eager to give this art form another attempt!

FINAL PHOTOS