Soap Sculpture

 Raccoon Soap Sculpture

Medium: Soap

Dimensions: 4 1/4" x 1 3/4" x 2 1/2"

Beginning stage of sculpting

Mostly finished sculpture

Two soap sculptures with figurine

The more successful sculpture

"On Longing"

"The body is the primary mode of perceiving scale."

This image seemed to represent the quote; everyday, we see dozens of new bodies and faces. We use the body as a norm for determining sizes and for our brains to understand a relatable comparison tool. In this image, the body is the main focus and the mountains and landscape tower in the back. This quote allowed me to sort of step back and really think about how our natural world is in relation to ourselves.

"Capacity of objects to serve as traces of authentic experience."

I found this window while exploring Gatlinburg, TN with my best friends. This image reminded me of the quote because when I think of "capacity of objects," I think of fullness and many of that object. I was drawn to include this image because each window is completely full with cups; not a single window is empty. If one was empty, the image would be completely transformed to tell a different story. The experience of looking at the picture would be different and would create a focal point. Having all of the windows full of different colors and shapes of mugs and cups creates a balanced feel.

"The souvenir reduces the public, the monumental, and the three-dimensional into the miniature, that which can be enveloped by the body."

I found this miniature fairy garden out during a walk in gardens in South Carolina. It was such a unique thing to see; there were miniature doors attached to the base of tree trunks and small ceramic mushrooms spread out on the ground. When I read this quote, I immediately thought of something small that we are not accustomed to seeing, especially with the door. We are accustomed to larger, life-sized doors in which we can walk through when this door was about the size of my hand.

"To have a souvenir of the exotic is to possess both a specimen and a trophy."

This image displays an object in which a creature resides in yet also is something we admire and sometimes collect. My mother and I share a passion for collecting seashells and we always scour the beaches to find the most beautiful and unique shells. It is an accomplishment for us to be able to add new shells to our collection, which would definitely be considered a trophy. The uniqueness of each shell is captivating, as no two are the same.

"...the nostalgic input of the handmade in a 'plastic world.'"

This image was taken in an old coffee shop in Asheville, NC. It was adorned with hundreds of different antiques and I was drawn to photograph some of the elements. I like the way that the objects are placed in a box and are not just sitting on a shelf or hanging directly on the wall. It sort of places them in their own "world" and provides a nostalgic experience with the vintage camera, bottles, and picture.