Our visual arts project revolves around the creation and design of hybrid-mythical animals, crafted as pinatas. Roberto Benavidez was a massive influence upon our project and provided the mental stimulation we needed to create our imaginative creatures. In preparation for the design aspect of this task, we looked at some of Roberto’s animals to get a feel for the concept of animal themed pinatas.
Design and Influence
After gaining inspiration from Roberto Benavidez, we found some hybrid mythical animals ourselves. We did this via online platforms, such as Google and Microsoft Edge. After assembling collections of roughly 8-10 animals, we had to choose between them, or create a hybrid animal of our own design. These would be the basic blueprint for our pinatas.
Next, we scanned our sketch and sent it to the laser cutter. After cutting out two cardboard silhouettes, we painstakingly wrapped a cardboard sheet around the outline of one silhouette. We stuck the other silhouette to the first with masking tape. The pinata was then coated in geso, a sticky, paint-like substance that bound the construction together. We also had to create a colour scheme, so Jacob and I practiced the capabilities of effective communication and collaboration. Whilst one partner was coating the pinata in geso, the other was designing a colour scheme. We decided on a bronze, red and gold scheme for our project.
Finally, we cut out coloured paper and glue it onto the pinata according to our colour scheme. The cardboard between the pinata silhouettes was painted (we chose orange), and LED lights arranged along the edge of the pinata. Along with the other groups projects, our pinata was displayed at the Illuminate Arts Festival.
Being Inquisitive
Being inquisitive was an essential part of constructing a creative, original design. I took inspiration from Roberto Benavidez, who had created his own hybrid/mythical animal pinatas. I researched some of his hybrid animals, along with others I found on the internet. This allowed me to create my own unique design, that incorporated elements of the different animals I found intriguing or awe-inspiring.
Overall, being inquisitive meant I had a more authentic, abstract design at the end, and my artwork was uniquely mine. It allowed me to push the boundaries of the project and come up with a creative pinata.
How We Worked Together
As this task was a group project, we had to actively practice collaboration throughout the semester. We were initially allocated partners (luckily the boys were partnered together; there was only 4 of them in a class of 20), and then had to jointly decide on a pinata design to construct. Jacob and I originally had conflicting ideas, but together we searched the internet and found a design we both agreed would work and could also be portrayed in a creative manner.
Next, we had to work together to arrange a colour scheme and create the base of our pinata. We had to cut out cardboard and line the edge of one of the two cardboard silhouettes, and then tape them together with masking tape. Jacob chose the red, bronze and gold colour scheme, and we were lucky enough to have these colours cut out for us already by the other Visual Arts class. Finally, we painted, and stuck on the colours, lined the pinata with LED, and collaborated to ensure that the process went smoothly, and our end product was of a high standard.
Challenges
Jacob and I had to constantly problem solve throughout the project. First, our initial design was too complex to construct, but we chose an equally impressive design that was much easier to make.
We also had to problem solve when we were sticking the two halves together. It proved difficult to slot the masking tape into every nook and cranny, but when working together it proved manageable. Although the LED lights were slightly out of place, are final design was authentic and reflected the culmination of a Semester’s worth of effort.
Schedule and Time Management
Being organised was a massive part of this Pinata project. We learnt the hard way that if we did not effectively manage our time or missed a couple of lessons and failed to catch up, we would fall behind. After a slow and rocky start, Jacob and I had to claw back the missed lessons by working extra hard during class, focusing, and giving 100% effort to every task.
Every week we set ourselves a deadline that we had to meet. I also drew up a schedule which we followed best we could (mostly). Here is a sample of the schedule that helped us stay on task.
Creative Aspect
As said before, creativity was one of the most important, if not the most important aspect of this task. The aim was to create an original piece of art that you had designed, and it was not the exact same as anyone else’s (or in this case any other groups). Even though I was influenced by a few designs I saw online, the colour scheme and finer details of the project were uniquely mine (and Jacob’s, but mostly mine). Overall, this was a fun and engaging project that helped me to develop myself as an artist and also learn the new skill of pinata making in the process.