Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Artificial Kingdoms, Lindsey Elsey

All Theses

Fairy or folk tales and fantasy appear to be innocuous means of entertainment in contemporary society. Often relegated as pap for children, this view belies the gruesome origins, cultural significance, and means of personal expression and identity that is afforded to the author and reader/audience through the construction of fantasies. Through the creation of environments and experiences that center on porcelain vessels and sculpture, I explore the expression of uncomfortable desires and situations in the guise of fantasy. In some instances folk and fairy tales act as a means of escapism; an expression of desire for the fleeting and the …

Metaphors, Dean Mobley

Graduate Theses

This statement analyzes and reflects upon my Master of Fine Arts thesis exploration of material collision as a metaphor of my life experiences. The thesis exhibition, entitled “Equilibrium”, consists of six sculptural works constructed in glass, wood, metal, and repurposed heavy industrial objects. Within each individual piece I selected materials that would, when forced together under pressure and intense heat, bring attention to the utilization and exploitation of their inherent qualities. The manipulation of these material qualities has enabled me to express the complexity of human emotion. I am confident that all materials can convey certain emotional properties. During the …

Line Language, Albert Avi Arenfeld

School of Art, Art History, and Design: Theses and Student Creative Work

I consider utility and beauty in the functional pots that I make. In making pottery I continue a history of typography as ornament and a tradition of making objects by hand. My designs are informed by my personal background as well as cultural and historic influences.

The pots that I make are inspired by anthropomorphic form and architectural structure. I reference the geometry of the human body as well as buildings seen in my travels to Japan and the Middle East. The internal structure of the pot is both bones and framing, the surface of the pot is both skin …

Immersion, Nelson James Doak

Senior Projects Spring 2015

Nelson Doak

Immersion

When I surf I feel an equilibrium, rhythm, a wholeness, synchronicity of myself deeply immersed in a process. Surfing is a complete satisfaction with the moment. This fullness or sensation fills a void that I always carry. I can't say exactly what that void is, but it is comprised of: The weight against moving forward, general dissatisfaction, and a stagnancy that comes from a lack of order or discipline.

My project involves finding the equilibrium or rhythm found in surfing through a creative process. One example is throwing a pot on the wheel which is a momentary …