Blog8 - Paper & Iron wire

The Experience

This week, I started working on covering my wire sculpture with paper to shape it, but encountered significant challenges in getting the paper to adhere properly to the wireframe. No matter how hard I tried, the paper wouldn't stick or hold its shape, which left me feeling deeply frustrated. In my search for a solution, I experimented with two different methods.

First, I decided to use aluminum foil instead of white paper. The flexibility and malleability of aluminum foil allowed it to wrap around the wire easily, providing the necessary structure. However, while this approach worked in terms of shaping, it was not aesthetically pleasing and didn’t serve the purpose of acting as a projection surface. So, I abandoned this idea.

Figure1

Aluminum Foil on iron wire

The second method was inspired by traditional Chinese craftsmanship, specifically the "fish lantern" technique. I soaked the paper, then dried it slightly, leaving it damp enough to maintain flexibility. By applying white glue to the edges and rolling the paper onto the wire, it adhered much better. This technique, reminiscent of traditional Chinese lantern-making, brought me unexpected joy and success. I had never realized that my cultural background and positionality could offer such valuable inspiration and practical solutions for my capstone project.

Figure2

Butter paper on iron wire

Note. This picture is the process of using the traditional Chinese lantern-making to make the prototype.

Reflection in Action

My goal this week was to shape my sculpture effectively while ensuring that the materials used would complement its function as both a piece of art and a projection screen. When the paper wouldn't adhere to the wire, I tried to think of solutions that maintained the sculpture’s aesthetic and functional integrity. I initially felt defeated when the aluminum foil solution didn’t work out. But the turning point came when I drew inspiration from my cultural heritage, recalling the traditional methods of making "fish lanterns." This realization made me appreciate the unique advantage that my background provides.

I felt a sense of pride and connection to my cultural roots. I also felt that this unexpected fusion of my personal history with modern design techniques was a breakthrough, further proving the importance of cultural diversity in creative work.

Theory

This experience highlights how cultural knowledge can offer innovative solutions in contemporary design. Drawing on the traditional Chinese “fish lantern” technique taught me how to think more expansively, incorporating not only modern techniques but also cultural heritage into my design process. It demonstrated that my positionality as a Chinese international student can contribute to the development of my design work in ways I hadn’t anticipated. This realization has deepened my understanding of how traditional craftsmanship can be applied to contemporary problems, expanding my design toolkit.

Preparation

In the future, I will be more open to exploring traditional methods and cultural influences as potential solutions when I face challenges in design. The experience has taught me that cultural background can offer creative insights in unexpected ways. Next time, I will also test different materials earlier in the process to avoid setbacks. I will continue refining the application of paper to the sculpture and work to maintain the aesthetic quality while ensuring its functionality as a projection surface.

Figure3

A part of the interactive installation.