April 2010 – The Beehive

Here is my latest project for my elements and principles of design class. We recently learned about circulation, so the finished piece had to incorporate a minimum of two path configurations (linear, radial, spiral, grid, and/or network), one of each path-space relationship (path that passes by spaces, path that passes through spaces, and path that terminates in a space), and one of each form of circulation space (enclosed path, path open on one side, and path open on two sides). In addition to demonstrating these elements of circulation, we were required to use at least one of each of the primary elements and forms, principles of repetition and rhythm, positive and negative spaces, additive and subtractive forms, regular and irregular forms, and articulation of form/surface articulation. The piece also had to incorporate a base plane of limited size.

As if all those requirements were enough, the piece actually had to be based on a concept. Imagine that! And the concept was a group effort. We actually got to choose our groups, so I ended up with three additional stellar people, and we chose the four seasons as our concept. I ended up with spring. Here is my design intent statement:

Our group project as a whole represents the four seasons and, more specifically, the changes in light during the different seasons.

In spring, the days grow longer and we experience more and more sunlight as summer approaches. The two 10×10 inch planes on opposite sides of the piece illustrate this phenomenon. Each contains thick lines that prevent light from entering into the center of the piece. At one corner, these lines are very close together, letting in little light. As they travel away from the corner, the negative space between the lines grows, letting more light into the center of the piece. Similarly, the trapezoidal planes that connect the two 10×10 planes contain “windows” of negative space. The windows are small near the enclosed corner, but become larger and more open farther away from the enclosed corner.

The season of spring also evokes thoughts of re-emergence and new life; species come out of hibernation (whether it be literal, as in the case of bears, or figurative, as in the case of humans bundled in bulky winter clothes, blankets, and heated buildings) and plants begin to bud and blossom. This emergence is represented by the forms of the pyramid and cube, which are surrounded by layers of larger forms that appear to be peeling away. The piece as a whole is a larger version of these smaller forms, as it contains three spherical forms in the interior enclosed corner and the four planes are opening up away from the spheres similar to the way the outer pyramid and cubes are opening away from the smaller central forms.

School has kept me quite busy lately, so obviously I haven’t had much time to post anything. Steve has also been extremely busy doing taxes, so we haven’t been doing much cooking or eating of interesting things. But, I was thinking I had some pictures of an interesting soup I made a while back that I should write about.

I got a cookbook from Steve’s parents for Christmas called “Love Soup.” It’s full of vegetarian soup recipes, organized more or less by time of year, so there is a section with hearty filling soups for cook weather and lighter refreshing soups for warmer weather. My first attempt at one of these recipes was Black Bean and Kabocha Squash Soup.

I started with a classic mirepoix — onions, carrots, and celery. Onions went in first, with a couple of bay leaves. Then the carrots and celery. The recipe also called for 1 or 2 jalapeño peppers. These were not available at the grocery store, so I picked up a couple of Anaheim peppers instead, and chose to use 2 because they have a little less heat than jalapeños.

While I sauteed the onions, carrots, celery, and peppers, I had a kabocha squash — cut in half and seeded — roasting in the oven. It was nice and tender after about 45 minutes. At that point, I let it cool until I could handle it and scoop out the insides.

Back to the stove. Once the onions, carrots, and celery were a bit softened, I removed the bay leaves and put the mixture in a big pot with two cans of vegetable broth. Ok, so I used chicken broth because I already had it in the cupboard. I’m not a vegetarian, so it doesn’t concern me. Do what you want. Once I brought that to a simmer, I added two cans of black beans, drained and rinsed. And finally, the cooked squash.

Once that is simmered for a bit, the mixture gets blended into a smooth soup. I blended it in batches in our counter top blender, since we don’t have an immersion blender. Honestly, I do not recommend this method. Messy would be an understatement. I’m not doing it again until I get an immersion blender.

And that’s it! We ate it with corn bread. The soup does not look real appetizing to me. I had a hard time taking the first bite. But it sure was tasty! Surprisingly rich, though. A small bowl is really all I could handle. I feel the same way about split pea soup. I can only take so much of it.

Month: April 2010

Adventures with Foam Core

Yes, We Still Eat or Black Bean and Kabocha Squash Soup