Volume(s): the Essence of Form
Research Project
"Volume(s): the Essence of Form" explores materiality and the boundaries of sculptural language through the lens of image-making and typography—asking whether an image can be a sculpture by layering materials and light to capture the essence of objecthood.
The project began as a case study of Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuși's work and its connections to designers and artists such as Max Bill, Adrian Frutiger, and Karel Martens.
For Brâncuși, a sculpture extended beyond its form into the surrounding space, with the base serving not as neutral support but as an integral component of the work.
Drawing from this idea, the project uses visual layers where photograms are assembled with prints, Letraset (dry-transfer lettering), and frames that extend the imagery, bleeding into shapes and forms—"shadows" of the image body. The outcomes invite viewers to reflect on the nature of volume and form, and what happens at the intersection of visual disciplines.
The photograms use Ilford MULTIGRADE RC DELUXE Satin black and white photo paper, 190gsm, in size 24 x 30.5 cm (9.5 x 12"). They were created in the darkroom using various objects, including custom-made stencils, mirrors, stones, folded paper, glass in different shapes, and other found materials, along with a darkroom enlarger kit. Objects were selected for their varying sizes, opacities, and forms to achieve a sculptural effect.
The video documents the research-practice journey: from simple shapes to letterform experiments, prints, and finally a custom-built typeface and photograms.
