Started yesterday a large piece working in a different way. Made a drawing indicating overall dimensions and planes, and some of the marks that might end up in there. Then, using Earthstone Original (2 bags found in the workshop!) made large slabs leaving texture and natural edges in place. The idea would be to use these in the finished piece. The texture has been a bit random: it derives from stretching the clay over plastic and then peeling it off, The suction leaves sticky marks. Left it more or less covered in plastic, hoping to get to the right consistency and hoping to have made enough slabs.
Today pieced together two very sharply pointed triangles making an angle and attached that to a dorsal piece, also at an angle. The worry of collapse and failed joints takes over and the finer hopes for using the texture were somewhat lost in translation. Also made the other half of the dorsal piece, joining three slabs at different levels and one of them making a conical mass to the side. Tried to stuff material underneath to start curving the labs so they don't just stand there stiffly.
It is impossible, at present, to get underneath and cure the joints from the inside, as pieces will collapse. I fear the forthcoming need to stand the pieces up to make a vessel and also the inability to look further than a couple of simple moves. I know now why I never took to chess.
I need still today to work on the front of the piece as well, so that the whole can be assembled further come the weekend.
This piece feels like combat armour. It feels like old and perhaps discarded or obsolete body protection. in part of it there is resignation (front) and in the back an entrance or portal for coming and going - maybe a revolving door.
