Helicopter (Maple seeds)

I’ve always put a great deal of thought into how to physically construct a piece, but not always into the symbolism or message behind the final work. Maple seeds, to me, naturally represent change and growth—much like any plant that shifts color and falls with the seasons. Looking back, I wish I had settled on a clearer concept before committing to this idea, and, since this is a sculpture class, I also wish the success of the piece relied less on the paint job.

I struggled a bit with the construction process and went through a lot of materials while experimenting. For the upper portion of the seeds, I started with wire, but applying paper mâché directly onto it proved extremely inefficient. Eventually, I discovered that adding hot glue to the wire first gave the paper something to grip, which worked far better. Unfortunately, I spent so much time brainstorming ideas that I cut into the time needed to fully execute the piece. This is something I’m determined to improve on in future projects.