Kirsten Baade is a talented Queensland artist. Her work Lenticular Lenses is used to display multiple images from different viewing angles. Her intention with Lenticular Lenses is to create an engaging visual effect by using wind power, gear trains and lenticular lenses. Kirsten intends to use them to create an animated effect, by using a gear train to display several changing lenticular images concurrently. The gears different sizes mean that they will spin at different rates to each other, contributing to the overall visual impact.
Can you tell me one thing about your artwork that will make people stop and stare?
My artwork uses lenticular images. Lenticular images are like the 3D Tazos you used to get in the 90s – the image changes as you change the viewing angle.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I like to consider various materials and technologies and their potential to create engaging optical effects.
What motivates you to create your art?
If I have a good idea I need to see how it pans out. Also I like to create bright, colourful, shiny things.
Do you experience self-doubt or fear when it comes to creating art and how do you overcome it?
My art is more about optics and less about portraying a message so I don’t feel fear in that respect. However, I’m often unsure if something I’ve designed in theory will actually work in practice, so this can be quite stressful when I’m working to a deadline.
How long has it taken you to complete your SWELL Sculpture this year?
A few weeks.
Can you tell me what impression you want your art piece to have on the public?
I want people to stop and go, “Wow!”. People often react to my work in ways I’ve haven’t anticipated though, so we’ll see.
At what point in the day do you find you are the most creative and productive?
I’m a night owl, but I have to make myself start early in the day so I can use power tools without upsetting the neighbours.
Are there any installations from other artists that you are excited to see this year?
I haven’t had a chance to check out the program yet but I always love seeing the other sculptures.
Would you rather create art with your opposite hand or have a really annoying high-pitched noise play every time you try to do work?
I’m not too fussed on my art having a perfect finish, so I’ll go with the opposite hand thing.
If you could only use one material to make art for the rest of your life, what would you use?
This is really hard because I love trying new materials. Possibly acrylic sheet because it comes in heaps of different finishes, it’s durable, and it’s workable both by hand and with digital fabrication.
Haley Smith is an emerging writer and creative from the Gold Coast. She has had an active blog for over ten years where she shares her short stories, poetry and travelling adventures. She has founded a Podcast; Atomic Sunflowers. Here she shares stories about creative living beyond fear, mental health and balancing the creative mind.
Follow her on Instagram @haleylaurensmith or her blog www.haleylaurensmith.com