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Ass 3 (group project)

For the purposes of our group project which is interactive, we would need to keep our progress hidden until we present it. Therefore, we will only upload our research/experimentation/thesis only after we present it on the day.

Kianie’s project presentation

@kianiez

Ichthys Ring

https://a360.co/2xr2PAZ

Swastika earrings

https://a360.co/2MJ6TSw

Rationale

Rebellion, it is something that we as people do to against something, either in a proactive and obvious manner or in a peaceful and procedural manner. Following this, I explore the concept of a silent rebellion, a way in which rebellion can be prevented from losing its effect by being widely unknown and not outspoken. Following the process from Assessment 1, that is the theme I chose to follow in Assessment 2 however it has a focus not on art styles but rather on symbols and rebellions. The idea for my artwork is greatly inspired by fellow design student Ally Grujoski’s SDES 1002 project where she used secret symbols and icons for communication in situations such as prisons. Following this, my artwork consists of two accompanying themes; peaceful symbol of rebellion against authority (in the form of ichthys) as a secret code for being in an ‘in-group’ and the inversing of a symbol (Nazi Swastika) to symbolize resistance and opposition to their ideals. These are both represented in my project as pieces of jewelry, a ring and earrings respectively. Accompanying these objects are also pictures of the final designs that were made as well as the stl. files of the designs that allow for sharing and use by different people. The presentation of the designs as jewellery also contribute to the display of these symbols and its meaning in a public setting but at the same time, not known by an out-group but by an in-group of people.

The Ichthys symbol was among the 6 other symbols of which I was considering on making a variation of, with the two other very likely candidates being the Paperclip and Jacobite Rose which helped to inspire and further the message of the design. This is following the use of the paperclip, a seemingly ordinary thing as a symbol of rebellion Germany in Norway while they kept it as a secret from the Germans if possible (secret code). The Jacobite Rose was a symbol used by the Jacobite to affirm their loyalties. This inspired both the design and theme of the ring, as the Ichthys was a symbol used by Christians during the persecution by the Roman Emperors. The persecution which the Christians experienced were a result of many misperceptions, stemming from accounts of rites conducted by them in Secrecy as well as their refusal to follow Roman religious customs. The symbol underwent several paper modifications, as well as digital changes in 3D modelling software Fusion 360, leading to me being able to 3D print it out in a blue filament. Following this, I proceeded to sand the design down to a smooth surface to be easily worn. The appearance of the design in its overall shape is not obviously identifiable as an Ichthys but it has other features such as side levels and diamonds on the sides representing fishing (Ichthys looks like a fish). The design can be worn in different configurations, as a two-finger ring, with a large crown at the top or the crown facing towards the bottom. Due to more substandard look of the ring, I decided to paint some parts of it in a different blue and later sand it down in 1200 grit sandpaper to get a smooth finishing for wear.

The anti-Nazi earrings were chosen instead of the Marxist/revolutionary fist due to its more profound message and recognizability of the Nazi Swastika around the world. In thinking of the idea, I was greatly inspired by the interesting development in society where those who rebel against those they view as ‘Nazis’ are employing similar tactics to the German Nazi’s in WW2 (ANTIFA), as well as the rise of Neo-Nazi movements. Following this, I decided to create symbols that were a counter-of what they originally represented but still making it into a viable symbol to be used in everyday life, whilst being a peaceful form of protesting without resorting to violence. In considering the design, I proceeded to draw out the geometric pattern in AutoCAD and later transfer it to Fusion 360 into a 3D object which is manipulated for 3D printing. The pattern itself differs from the Nazi Swastika through the reverse direction of the edge parts and the superimposition of two swastikas upon each other. Despite the obvious implications that a swastika can have, Steven Heller explains that we “should not mean somehow ignoring its Nazi implications”, for which that is exactly what my design focuses on. The earrings have bronze metallic paint painted on them, to get a rustic and old look reminiscent of medals bearing insignias just like the Swastika used by Hitler, as well as linking back to history.

Bibliography

Ekeke, EC, ‘Persecution and Martydom of Christians in the Roman Empire from AD54 to 100: A lesson for the 21st Century Church’. European Scientific Journal, vol. 8, is. 16, July 2012, p. 176

Heller, S, The Swastika: Symbol Beyond Redemption?. Allworth press, 2008, pp. 9, 122

Update on presentation

No longer able to take pictures of the jewelery in the image capture studio (fully booked). Have to resort to home pictures, along with shots of the items being worn and rendered possibilities.

Rendered image of possible earring colors.

Painted earrings in a copper colour after sanding.

Painting of certain parts of the Ichthys ring to create a dual blue effect instead of just one plain colour. The earrings were sanded unlike the ring, with a dremmel as well as sandpaper which created a very rugged and rough shape in the end. This coupled with the copper paint which was hand done left an interesting finish.

Ring and earrings after sanding down some of the plastic lines created through the layered addition process of the 3d additive process printers. After sanding, the pieces were washed in water to get rid of dust particles and the rough sanded surface also allowed for better adhesion of paint later on.

Additional Scholarly Article Research

These are some supporting information regarding the use of symbols that reflect the themes that I’m exploring in my artwork.

Persecution of the Christian Church under Roman Rule:

As observed by Lunn-Rockliffe (2011) in ‘Persecution and Martyrdom of Christians in the Roman Empire from AD54 to 100: A lesson for the 21st Century Church’, the early church dealt with many misperceptions. This probably resulted from grabbled accounts of the rites which Christians celebrated in secrecy (due to persecution), being the agape (love feast) and Eucharist (partaking of the body and blood of Christ).

As also mentioned by Boer (n.d.), because of the refusal to follow Roman religious customs eg. Emperor Worship, which “in turn occasioned other refusals on the part of the Christians, they were hated, imprisoned, banished to lonely islands, condemned to work as slaves in the mines, cast to the lions as a public spectacle and executed by the sword. …Christians were always in danger” (p.45).

http://www.eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/254/284

P. 176

Swastika symbol

According to Steven Heller, “Like most effective symbols, the swastika’s geometric purity allows for legibility at any size and distance, and when on its axis, the whirling square gives the illusion of movement. Like a propeller, its hooked edges cut through any surface on which it appears. And because of this, when we return to the swastika’s significance during the twentieth century, it also cuts right through the heart”.

When dealing with symbols of hate such as the Swastika which evokes “revulsion, indeed terror, in many.“, despite it’s uses in many other culture prior to Hitler’s involvement as “religious phylactery, occult talisman, scientific symbol, guild emblem, meteorological implement, commercial trademark, architectural ornament, printing fleuron, and military insignia”, it has been constantly recognized as the Nazi’s swastika.

Heller’s conclusion of his book on if the symbol can be redeemed is that it is ok, if the purpose is “reclaiming its original meaning is fine, but that should not mean somehow ignoring its Nazi implications”. This reflects in part what my stance on it is, that the symbol can be turned into an opposition of the very real Nazi implications.

https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.wwwproxy1.library.unsw.edu.au/lib/unsw/reader.action?docID=1320632&query=

P. 122

3D printing Jewelry research

In regards to 3D printing jewelry, they do not need to be always cast but can also be 3D printed using other materials straight from the machine.

This includes the use of materials such as Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver and Gold. Following the rise in 3D printing jewelry, it is has been used by many people due to the accessibility of 3D printing and how easy it is to make the designs with prior knowledge of 3D modelling.

Below is a link with techniques for making jewelry using 3D printing in a larger, more professional scale:

https://www.3dhubs.com/knowledge-base/jewelry-3d-printing-applications

Artist Research: Gauri and Radhika Tandon

Artists Gauri and Radhika Tandon are the artists behind Isharya, a jewelry brand traditionally based in Mumbai and in California that has a Californian-chic style merged with Indian styling. They are among the growing group of jewelry makers whom use 3D printing in their designs to create detail and designs in areas otherwise not achievable by hand. The process used involves casting the printed design in brass and then plating it in gold to create designs that are more expensive than artisan created ones.

https://all3dp.com/isharya-launches-3d-printed-jewelry/

Artist research: Ally Grujoski

In tackling the prompt of rebellion in a silent context, I was inspired by Ally’s work for SDES 1002 Ass 1, where she created secret symbols used by prison in-mates to communicate without the prison guards being aware of it.

https://moodle.telt.unsw.edu.au/mod/oublog/view.php?id=1876904&individual=2293877

Because Tumblr won't upload things properly again, this is a short summary. I 3d printed the ichthys ring design where I have cut the supports and would need to sand the piece down.

Converting designs

This is going to be a really brief statement since my longer, proper one which I posted did not turn up on Tumblr when I just checked.

Ive also decided to go ahead with the swastika for my part in rebelling against something by reversing the symbol to mean something new/different.

In exploring the Swastika used by Germany in WW2 as a symbol that most of us would associate with hate, the actual symbol does originally have a much larger history. The symbol of a swastika used to and still do in some parts of the world, mean something good, associated with divinity and spirituality along with other parts.

In designing my idea, I took inspiration from the many different designs of swastikas in the world.

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NonNaziSwastika

Render sample look

Rendered possible colored look of the Ichthys ring. A variation of this render could be used in the presentation of final work.

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