This semester in 3D Design we had an assignment to take apart old, useless machines and turn them into art. Our requirements were simply that we stick to the same TYPE of machine (ie – all electronics or all old clock parts or all car parts) and that we make a series of at least 5 pieces if we were going to do something small.
My instructor was explaining to us that her definition of “art” for this project was broad. ”You could do wall art, or a sculpture, or jewelry-”
“Jewelry?” I perked up immediately. After three semesters of knocking out basic requirements, I suddenly had a project that was going to let me do what I was good at?
“Sure! No one ever takes me up on making jewelry,” she said. ”I mention it every semester.”
Oh, it was on.
In the end I made a bracelet, two sets of earrings, and three pendants using various bits out of electronics. I sacrificed two digital cameras, a cordless phone, an old answering machine, two Playstation controllers, and more than a few old mice – the pointing device, no animals were harmed in the finishing of this project. That seems like a lot of taking apart of various objects for only a few little baubles, but I assure you that there are plenty of in-progress pieces that didn’t quite make the cut in time sitting on my workbench. Once finals and holidays are over, I’ll get back to them.
You can check out pictures of some of the series over in the gallery.
