The Proof is in the Selfie

Rest assured; I'm still making. Find and follow my process on my website: www.caitlinmariedriver.com

http://caitlinmariedriver.com/studio-process/

Ring Samples

I went into the summer with some Rhino goals in mind, and I've been slowly working through a few of them with a series of ring samples. One of the goals was to increase my "organic" design skills, so I started with exploring curve networks. Coupling these curve networks with some solid primitive forms got me some simple but effective sample ring designs I was able to upload to Shapeways and get printed in a variety of materials. I think these samples will also be helpful to my students in ART277. I got various ring sizes printed to check the tolerances of printing, attempted to incorporate a "tension" held rutilated quartz stone and pushed scale limits. I've gotten about half of the rings from Shapeways, see below. TBC.

On the right in Pink - a stock band I created with curve network, attached to all ring samples. Left - Rutilated capture ring. 

Process capture of creating designs from solids.

With this ring, I tried to go as tight as possible to the minimum limit of material thickness for the top design. I'm calling it the "bite ring." I learned a lot trying to create the curve network for the top.  

The aluminum plastic on the left is hilarious to me because the design I created is meant to reference hammer texture. Oh, metalsmith humor. 

[in]tangible ft. iAm connected

For the 2016 Zoom Conference, I co-curated an exhibition of current and recently graduated MFA/MA artist works from students across the US. We installed the show on the 4th Floor of the Kenilworth Building. Below are some images I shot quickly of the opening. See also the beautiful curatorial statement written by my co-curator. 

For this show, I installed two of my CNC machined socket pieces from the ceiling on opposite sides of the gallery. I mostly wanted to observe how people reacted to the pieces. Some people actually tried the earplugs on and hoped for sound, and ultimately were disappointed or intrigued and looked up to towards the ceiling. Some people didn't even notice the pieces, or that there were two of them. Some people were startled by their presence. And, some people asked, "so what's this all about?" 

I am so happy with all of these responses.   

I am continually thinking about connections through the iAm series; technologically mediated connection, interpersonal connection, physical connection and touch, spiritual/divine connection, and connection to the universe, space, and time. Some people are so disconnected from some of these relationships that they are perplexed when they have an encounter. Some people are critical of their connected relationships have huge expectations, and are left ultimately disappointed. Some people don't even notice their connections and some notice their connections in hindsight. 

iAm, like a spider suspended, waiting for something to land on or intercept, and remind that we are the creator of our universe and web of connection. 

iAm packaging

Through this series of renderings, I am starting to consider the iAm project as a mindful, seemingly technological, product for mass consumption. These are my initial sketches for an internal packing method. I imagine expanding on this to include an insert about how to assemble the object, how to use the object, etc. All of this encased in a larger die formed or vacuum-formed container branded for sale.