Have you ever seen a wire art installation and wondered how an artist is able to create such a wonderful piece? In many cases, using wire for art can create wonderful results and provide structural advantages too.
If you’re looking for ways to use wire in art installations, here are five ways you might see wire being used for an aesthetic display.
1. In Sculptures
Sculptures are often constructed with wire for structural reasons, but stainless steel wire will provide strength and resistance to erosion and weathering whilst creating a minimalist look.
The flexibility of wire adds to its versatility in use during sculpture making, and can be used to add dimension, height, and shape to designs.
Some of the most famous wire artists include Rupert Till, Josephine Baker, and Alexander Calder to name just a few.
For larger sculptures, using thicker copper or aluminium wire is essential for providing structural integrity to your art. However, if you want to create smaller pieces with more detail, opting for fine and flexible wire can help you to achieve those detailed effects.
2. Use Wire Mesh for Support
Wire mesh is also typically used as armature for plaster sculptures for strength and durability.
Whether you’re creating a full size sculpture or are working with miniature models, wire mesh is fantastic for building the best models for your creations without worrying about the structural integrity.
3. Suspended Artforms
Wire can also be used to suspend artforms in museums or in other places of display. This can enable you to achieve a beautiful elevated display and organise your artwork at different heights to create an impressive effect.
If you want to use wire to suspend your artwork, providers like Ormiston Wire can supply you with the best quality wire to support your art. Whether it’s a lightweight construction, or a heavier sculpture, using reinforced steel wire rope will ensure that your creation remains secure.
4. Mixed Media
Wire is an excellent component for mixed media artwork. You can use wire in conjunction with fabric or paper to create a wonderfully textured piece, but wire can also be used for framing or to add strength to your sculpture or art piece.
Additionally, you can layer wire onto canvas, or use pliers and other tools to create a variety of shapes.
You can also play with oxidisation to explore how a patina may affect the copper wire. As the natural effects of oxidation will differ, you will create a completely unique piece of art this way, and potentially some wonderful and naturally occurring patterns and colours.
If you need to understand the process of creating a patina on copper, you can use video tutorials on platforms like YouTube to follow a step by step guide on how to create a patina effectively.
5. Outdoor Art
As wire is so versatile depending on material used, it can often be used for wonderful outdoor art installations.
Whether you want to create a piece of 2D static art, or a kinetic sculpture that can move or interact with the light or wind, the opportunities are endless.
Do you have any tips for using wire in art installations? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
