Reconstructions II (Not for Sale)

This wood sculpture is part of my ongoing work exploring Interior Spaces.

The work is based on an analysis of physical or mathematical space, achieved by building up an architectural data set (measurements of surfaces in a room) which was then turned into charts in a spreadsheet.

The process is highly deconstructive in separating the spatial characteristics (the measurements) from physical form.

This was emphasised by the reconstruction process whereby measurements were both recombined with specific physical materials in an abstract composition and used to explore ideas of randomness in printmaking. Measuring contributes to physically and mathematically ‘knowing’.  

The creation of small data sets is intended as a record of a personal physical engagement with the subject. In this case I have physically touched/measured all these surfaces which contributes to me ‘knowing’ the space, primarily quantitatively but also qualitatively as it involves being physically close to many parts of the space which would otherwise not be visited in this way. It also results in observing shapes and textures which form the space, but which often remain unnoticed. 

The data produced by measuring the room was analysed in a spreadsheet and reduced to twenty-two unique measurements, describing the mathematical properties of the room. These measurements were analysed in a spreadsheet and charted using the MS Excel charting tools.

I used the charted data in various ways, for example combining with architectural materials such as skirting board to produce a physical object from the analysis of mathematical space. The physical environment is translated into a language of dimensions, physical materials and visual elements.

By putting forward a deconstructed work comprised of sizes and materials, this also questions how we relate to the physical structures in which we live, how and by whom the form and solidity of those structures are determined, and how we decide (or how it is decided) how much space we inhabit. The use of solid construction materials also prompts thoughts about how our dwellings are the product of our economic and political systems and circumstances, e.g. we may take for granted that we live in houses made of solid materials which provide adequate shelter.

The use of additional chalk marks to emphasise the data aspects of the work could be replaced by words taken from the investigation of experienced space above, and this is a possible further development of the work.