Cube 1 pictured above
The cube project tested my abilities working in the woodshop with saws and blades. Specifically, I was assigned to try using handcarving tools to create a 5 inch by 5 inch cube using pine wood. I tried to think "outside of the box" to create a cube that still appeared like a cube, but was not traditionally shaped like one. I also wanted to utilize the pinewood's texture to my advantage, so I enhanced the natural lines and grooves by etching them and making the texture of the wood work to help the viewer follow the line of movement. The four pillars are all diagonally attached to the cube which makes the cube feel like it is twisting up and tricks the eye into thinking that it is moving when it is not. I oriented the top and base so that the lines are not parallel, but perpendicular, allowing the spiral line of view to continue from the base to the pillars to the top.
Cube 2 pictured above
The next challenge was to create a second cube that was also 5 inches by 5 inches, but we had the freedom to use any kind of tools and materials we wanted. I chose pinewood again to see if I could further create a different form from the same material. I had the idea of fitting them like a puzzle so that no adhesives were holding them together but the pieces themselves. When the viewer approaches the cube, I also wanted a design that enticed them to play with it and touch it (much like a children's toy) so that they would find the cube comes apart and the inside faces of the pieces have letters that spell out my name. This cube is meant to be more interactive than visually dynamic and I feel it turned out to be successful.