Elemental Beings: Drawing Machine

Student

Selin Cebel (B.Arch. '21)

Hometown

Istanbul, Turkey

Class

ARCH 1101 Design I

Instructors

Through the generative exercise of designing and using a drawing machine, this project simultaneously explores the scale and performative elements of the human body as well as the effects of gravity on water as an element.

The machine consisted of a metal belt from which stemmed out a set of metal strings. Charcoal and balloons filled with ink were attached to the ends. The paper is placed on a ramp so that the machine leaves markings on all parts of the paper. On top of this ramp, at the highest point that the strings can reach, are nails that pop the balloons and release the ink.

As the person who is wearing the belt starts turning around, the strings open up in relation to the speed of rotation. The machine draws with charcoal on the floor when the body is moving slowly, and higher on the wall as it moves faster. When the strings touch the nails on the wall, the balloons that are filled with paint and ink pop and drip down onto the charcoal markings, creating an “Overlay of collisions and explosions, negotiating a radial dance/aggregating a radial field.”

Final drawing generated by drawing machine with charcoal and ink-blot markings.

Ink-filled balloons are attached to long sticks that are fastened around a person's belt. The balloons are popping against a needle-filled piece of paper.

Drawing machine being operated by a person, seen from above as gravity has made its effect on the ink and the drawing is nearly finalized.

Drawing machine in second phase being operated by a person, showing ink dripping down the paper from the point of balloon ruptures.

Close up of an ink splatter with needles poking through the saturated piece of paper.

Drawing machine component showing needles poking through paper to pop ink-filled balloons.

A person wearing sneakers is standing amidst long sticks that are touching the ground and making marks on the floor.

Drawing machine being operated to make charcoal markings on the floor.

A person in converse shoes with ink-filled balloons attached to their belt with metal cord.

Drawing machine in first phase about to be engaged in action.

A drawing of a circle with lines extending outward from it.

Analytical drawing of machine in action.

A person is photographed from above, and they are standing looking downward. There is a sequence of circles and lines on the ground.

Collage of drawings generated by drawing machine with charcoal and ink-blot markings, hand-drawings of drawing machine, and multiple exposure photograph of drawing performance.