Wonderful art piece by 12th grader Catherine Liu from AP Studio Art. Destroying a violin that represents her previous passion and using the pieces to create a decorative arrangement around a music box. This is a great metaphor for life on how to make the best of our past experiences and give new meaning to them. Great portfolio piece of abstract arrangement.
CATHERINE'S EXPLANATION -- "After reading the prompt, I thought of my old violin. Despite the snapped strings and dusty surface from years of abandonment, I could not bring myself to throw it away. Nostalgia was a reason, but I had subconsciously harbored a small hope that one day I’d pick up the violin again. Remembering this, I was reminded of myself during dark times: broken and neglected.
Rather than simply fixing the violin, I decided to completely rebuild it. I considered cutting it neatly, but, ultimately, decided to smash it. Just like the unexpected in life, I let the pieces of wood shape themselves.
I did not want to turn the violin into just a sculpture, but instead keep the fundamental value of the violin, its musicality. Thus, I transformed it into a music box sculpture.
I decided to compose a short melody to reflect the emotions of being broken. However, change is a process. Just like how I am still undergoing the process of fixing myself, I did not give the music box a permanent tune. That way I can continue to compose new tunes that reflect the stages of change.
The title of the piece, “Essenza”, is Italian for “essence”. I wanted to retain the essence of the violin: the rich, lustrous wood and the elegant, curved form. Not only did I want the sculpture to reflect this, but also the title. The smooth curves of the “s” in “essenza” and the jagged “z” represent the broken parts of the wood."
