"QUILT" • Installation Design • Independent Study • Winter 2013
This project is an independent study piece I have worked on for two terms, which has focused on researching concepts of modularity, fabrication, kit of parts and installation art (Fall) to inform the design of an installation piece (Winter). The final piece is composed of 300 individual units which are binder-clipped together to form a 3D textile or quilt. Each unit was designed as a single "net" (a flat, 2D pattern that can be folded into a 3D form) and then cut out on a laser cutter. Each piece was cut from .22 chipboard, folded by hand and glued with Elmer's glue (the units are structurally stable without glue, but not when used as part of a larger piece - Elmer's because it is water-soluble and non-toxic). The piece is designed as a sort of textile or quilt: the 300 pieces were divided into groups of 25, and in each group of 25 contains 16 plain squares, 8 printed squares (using a transfer pen - text taken from the introductory chapter of A Thousand Plateaus on Rhizome) and one colored square. The group of 25 units creates a 5x5 block, which acts like a quilt block; each have a distinct pattern and form a part of the larger piece (made of 3x4 "blocks"). The piece explores multiplicity, modularity, fabrication and process. The binder clips were used to further enhance the idea of fabrication (using a fabricated part) and allow for flexibility in form, pattern and use. The final piece will be installed in Lawrence in Spring 2013.
all images © Kelsey Buzzell