The WALL is many things. An exploration in drawing, excavation, materiality, making, tools, and experimentation, this project culminated as a small scale installation featuring a variety of drywall explorations and a design intervention sited within the space behind the drywall and between the studs. This design intervention did not have a specific program. Instead, it highlighted the experience of travelling itself, into the unknown, meditative space within the wall. Utilizing materiality, tactility, and user interaction with space, this project intended to create a sense of mystery and wonder as the inhabitant moves farther and farther away from the exterior, pulled in by the glow emanating from within the wall.

  •  In groups of three, take a sheet of drywall and divide it into three equal parts geometrically (without a tape measure).
  •  Locate the precise center of your sheet with a small graphite cross for future reference.
  •  Locate a rectangle approximately the size of your hand
  • Locate two six-sided orthogonal polygons (AKA L-shaped) on the sheet in relation to the previous rectangle and to each other. A non-orthogonal (AKA diagonal) line must cross both these spaces, and the nature of this line will change according to the material qualities of the space. 
  • Fill one with graphite. Construct the line through this space subtractively and with precision using an erasing shield. 
  • Excavate the other 1/2" into the gypsum. Construct the line through this space subtractively using a knife.
  • Locate yet another rectangle, inside of this, draw an axonometric of the enlarged are where the inscribed gypsum line meets the "wall" of the excavation and continues as a graphite line on the drywall surface. 
  • Create a unique drawing instrument with which to create a gestural line of ink. The nature of this line should change depending on how the instrument is held/angle/speed/etc. The line should be 12 inches long, although it may double back on itself. Practice this gesture many times on a separate sheet of paper. On the sheet, the line must be performed within a multi-sided orthogonal bounding box that has been primed with gesso. Consider the relationship between the box and the gesture.
  • Create a mechanical drawing "bar" out of basswood that attaches to your sheet. This mechanism must have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 points of contact with the sheet. All points of contact must be excavated 1/4" into the gypsum. With the mechanism, draw 2 arcs larger than 12" and with different center points, and at least 3 parallel lines on your sheet. The mechanism is not permanently attached. 
  • Define a rectangular area containing at least 10 existing lines. Gesso this space so that the lines are still visible and add 20 more diagonal lines to this space. 
  • Build a wall of 2x4 studs in collaboration with the rest of the class.
  • Mount your drywall drawing to the studs. 
  • Develop a space from one of the forms on the drawing.