Parabola

This is the Hercilio Luz Bridge in Brazil it is an example of an Steinman Bridge which is unique because it uses a steel truss stiffening component that connects to the steel cable at different heights so it can use the strength of the parabolic shape that the cable takes on.

Parabola

Capilano Bridge, North Vancouver, British Columbia. in this picture you can see how the ends of the bridge are not as curved as the middle all hanging flexible objects take on this shape

Parabola

This is the path a bouncing ball takes when thrown onto the ground notice the parabolic shape.

Parabola

The curves I choose for my pieces are parabolas I like the way they look and the property's that parabolas have. A parabola is a geometric shape with some property's I find very interesting it is an extremely strong shape for an arch, it is the shape of the trajectory of an object that has been thrown and allowed to fall and it is also the shape a flexible object will take when suspended for two points.

Catenary arch

The Tāq-i Kisrā is a Persian monument built Iraq It was damaged in floods in 1888 and was busy being restored before the 1st gulf work broke out it differs from later western arches in that it is a parabolic arch which is much stronger.

Catenary arch

The Gate way arch in St Louis, Missouri uses the catenary shape to use as little material possible to make the arch.

Catenary arch

Catenary arches under the terrace of Casa Milà

Catenary arch

I find arches interesting because they are strong but they look very delicate because they create negative space. The 1st arch i found interesting was the Lancet arch. When I started to analyze why I liked arches I discovered it was because they use the least material to give the most strength. This made me look for the strongest type of arch that's when I found the Catenary arch. This arches shape comes from the shape a chain makes when you hold it at the ends and let it hang. If you take this basic shape and turn it upside down it makes a very strong arch shape. This shape is called a parabola and is the basis for the curves I put on my jewellery.

Beginning of curves

My attraction to curves started with the Lancet arch. This arch is widely used in Gothic architecture because it allows you to build tall buildings. Gothic architecture was all about building tall to get closer to god. I like the way the arch is used to frame these windows and also provides the strength needed to hold the structure up. I love the way arches serve a function by holding up the building but also are visually pleasing to look at.

Why curves

I always put curves on my jewellery I feel that i need to explain why. i have always found curves beautiful, but i feel some are more beautiful than others. I am very specific about the curves i put on my jewellery it cant be to much of a curve and it also must not be to strait. I also like them to have a variation in the curve so they lead your eye. I make them so they are a little tighter on one end to the other I think this makes them more interesting to look at. I also love curves because of the physical strength they give things.

Red Eye

I helped to organize this months Red Eye I wanted to see what went into making this event happen. I would like to do more events like this because I think it is a good way of exhibiting. I feel that art has to be more entertaining to attract more people to it.