Unfolding Vessles by Linda Zimmerman
Unfolding Vessel is a sculptural, collective collage composed of smaller, stacked sculpted pieces. The work is inspired by the surrealist game Cadavre Exquis, embracing its principle of spontaneous, layered creation.
For this project, a diverse group of participants were invited to contribute by drawing segments of a vessel. These 100 drawings were then transformed into sculptural forms, each reflecting a fragment of individual expression.
By using collage as both technique and metaphor, the piece explores how disparate parts can come together to form a cohesive whole. The sculpture becomes a new collective space. The daily drawing process mirrored how each participant claims and navigates space within their own reality.
A folding mechanism kept contributions blind to prior additions, ensuring unbiased responses while still allowing each piece to build intuitively upon the last. Some sculptural elements are fragile, others heavy—but together, they balance, connect, and support one another.
