Behind The Scenes
The intricate details of Life Finds A Way come to life through the thoughtful creation and transformation of its key props. The bubblegum machine and radio are standout props in the project, embodying its themes of decay and renewal. Transforming these objects into symbols of nature's reclamation required careful planning and detailed craftsmanship.
Once a dispenser of fleeting indulgence, the bubblegum machine was reimagined as a lush habitat for chorus frogs, aged with moss, rust and vegetation to symbolize nature's quiet persistence. The radio, charred and stripped of its original purpose, became a vessel of life, filled with honeycombs and the hum of bees - turning destruction into renewal.
This section reveals the process behind these creations, from early trials to the hands-on techniques used to age and transform each object. It's an inside look at how discarded items were brought back to life, blending artistry with storytelling to create meaningful visual metaphors.
Bubblegum Machine: Overgrowth of Forgotten Desire
Radio: Burned, Yet Buzzing with Life
The bubblegum machine, transformed into a thriving habitat of chorus frogs, required a combination of sculpting, painting, and aging techniques. The frogs were first sculpted from wire, clay with ceramic beads for eyes, then carefully painted to mimic the natural hues and markings of real chorus frogs.
After aging the machine's exterior to create the appearance of rust, moss and grime, the interior was waterproofed to hold actual water, adding an extra layer of realism. Grime effects were added to convey years of neglect, enhancing the narrative of nature reclaiming an abandoned object.
Finally, the frogs were mounted on thin, transparent acrylic rods and embedded into the machine, creating a lifelike sense of movement and interaction within this reclaimed ecosystem.
The radio, reimagined as a charred relic filled with buzzing life, involved a multi-step transformation process. Starting with a second-hand radio, the exterior was carefully aged and artificially burnt to create the appearance of surviving a fire. Honeycombs were 3D-printed and meticulously filled with wax by hand to replicate the natural structure.
Each bee was also 3D-printed using a resin printer, painted in vivid detail, and delicately attached to the honeycombs.
The final assembly brought together these elements, turning the radio into a striking symbol of destruction and renewal, where nature reclaims even the most damaged human artefact.