OLIVER SMART
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Dragonfly - Imago
Dragonfly Imago is the focal point of a solo show at Circus Gallery, Marylebone High Street, London, May 23 - September 2019.
View Creation Process
View Drawings​
View Prototypes
Celebrating the exquisite wonder of the dragonfly.
Picture
From a brass rod the abdomen emerges.
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Image from Digital Prototype (September 2018)
The dragonfly is held in balance, at the centre of a hand-machined brass mechanism.

The piece gifts the viewer an intimate perspective towards the poetry of a dragonfly’s flight through colour, form and movement.
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Image from Digital Prototype (September 2018)
The Object
The dragonfly will be of brass, bronze and carved hard wood. 

A stunning colouration will be achieved though the natural colour of these materials and by metal patination.

The wall-mounted mechanism will be of machined brass concealing within its elegant design the ability to actuate the rhythm and variation in the dragonfly’s movements.
Picture
Wing Articulation Prototype (July, August 2018)
Associated Works
The creation of such a detailed and intimate study requires many months of research and reflection.
This process results in a plethora of writings, drawings and the creation of mechanical prototypes as well as digital prototypes.

Picture
Pendulum Prototype (June 2018)
The Journey
At the heart of this piece is the subject

Core to the journey have been field trips to study living dragonflies in the environment of which they are a part. 
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The Natural History Museum, London, has kindly made its vast collection of dragonfly specimens available for my study.
​I have spent many hours drawing measuring and observing these under the microscope.
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Watercolour (July 2018)
A Personal Connection
As a child I spent many hours in the garden of my grandparents in Stokes Valley, New Zealand. This paradise had a stream running through and ponds with goldfish and frogs. There were insects everywhere.

​This was a place of solace and sanctuary where I would look closely at the marvellous strangeness of all these creatures. Dragonflies were in abundance and inspired deep within me an enduring fascination, fear and wonder.

I wish to celebrate the essential character of the dragonfly and inspire a closer relationship with the world of which we are a part.
Picture
Pencil Drawing (April 2018)
Approach
My approach towards the design of this piece is to cast the net wide; gathering a multitude of personal observations through drawings, writings and the creation of prototypes, reflecting on these and drawing upon specialist knowledge.

The Natural History Museum, London, is very supportive of this artistic interpretation of the Dragonfly and has made available their significant collection of dragonflies for my study.

The British Dragonfly Society has made itself available to support the project.

Haui-Ti Lin  (Director of Neuromechanics and Bio-Inspired Technologies Lab, Imperial College of London Department of Bioengineering) is a movement consultant for the project in the specifics of dragonfly flight.

​The Epping Forest Horological Society has extended its vast collective knowledge in micro-mechanisms towards the project as a specialist consultant organisation.
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© Oliver  Smart 2024
  • Studio
    • In Process
    • Solo >
      • Sculpture >
        • Components
        • Natural Forms
        • Seeds
        • Clusters
        • Systems
        • Forces
      • Drawing >
        • Imaginings
        • Devices
        • Revolution
        • Spaces
        • Drawing Films
      • Wearable
    • Collaborative >
      • Bow Down and Very Low -123
      • Dandelion Seed
      • Dragonfly - Imago
      • Flight is a Waltz
      • Cazimi
      • Asp
  • Prints
    • From Drawings
    • From Photographs
  • Performance
  • Photography
  • Teaching
    • Substantial Poetry
  • Bio
    • Exhibitions
    • About >
      • Artist Statement
      • CV
      • Biography
      • In my own words
    • Press >
      • Press Release
      • Solo
      • Collaborations
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter
      • Instagram
  • Thoughts