The motivation for my project came from a profound experience I had while accompanying my grandmother in a nursing ward during a difficult time in her health. The ward was situated on an underground floor and was adorned with numerous nature-themed wallpapers featuring trees, lawns, and flowers. One particular wallpaper that resonated with me depicted an open window frame with a view of vibrant green spaces, pasted onto a completely flat wall. This imagery sparked my contemplation on the idea of landscapes as representations of freedom despite being confined to a two-dimensional surface.
My project explores the contrast between digital and physical environments, centering around an imaginary landscape that emulates a 3D wallpaper from the digital realm. Through this exploration, I aim to challenge traditional perceptions of landscapes as concrete, tangible entities. My artistic practice primarily involves sculpting soft fabrics, some of which are filled with acrylic and inflated. The centerpiece of my work is an inflatable system that simulates four interconnected rocks resting on sections of lawns, with the rock model initially created in 3D software to achieve a sharp, pixelated digital appearance. After 3D printing, the model was flattened, scanned, and transferred into a Photoshop file for sizing before being printed onto nylon fabrics using sublimation printing. Utilizing a bellows, the sculpture is then filled with air to give it shape, which can be manipulated to appear round and amorphous through controlled inflation and deflation, creating a sense of breathability. My artwork is inspired by software, computers, 3D technology, and the digital realm, with influences drawn from social networks and meme groups that infuse humor into their content. I find fascination in the aesthetics of humor-infused verbal messages, along with the understanding that behind every three-dimensional image lies a code – a reminder of the entirely simulated nature of digital 3D elements.