On Exhibit: Cardboard Containers

This exhibit of student work is based on an art class assignment in which students were given everyday objects and tasked with replicating and constructing forms using sheets and rolls of cardboard, self-adhesive paper tape, and hot glue. The project covered scale, mathematical reasoning, armatures, product design, logo and graphic design, and the aesthetics of commercialism. To create a narrative, students were asked to conceptualize a metaphor, or an association, for what their container might hold other than their typical contents.

Class: 3-D Design, Spring ‘23
Professor: Spencer Ebbinga

“real”

Artist statement: Our piece is a commentary on societal beauty standards placed on womxn. All of the Barbies chosen are meant to fit the antiquated ideal: blonde, skinny, and white. Across all demographics, people are faced with expectations of their appearance, and we hope that with the dramatic brightness of the color, the spill on the ground, and the name of the polish color we communicate that this is not a realistic idea, or one that we want to live with.
Artists: Kayna Kliewer ‘24, Mollie Walker ‘24, Jersey Razzano ‘24, and Justin Chase ‘23

“Monster Can”

Artist statement: What if you had a monster can with an irritated, veiny, eye peeking out of green sublime? Well there it is! The original tone for this container was to produce a piece that was a parody of the trademarked Monster Energy company. Essentially featuring aspects that we felt the brand communicated towards each of us. As demonstrated, the final product is more of a literal statement and focuses on a monster theme. Bottoms up, and the devil laughs *hahahahaha*
Artists: Zivia, Kells, Christian Galang ‘23

“Cheap Noodles”

Artist statement: A Cup of Noodles is a cheap, unhealthy meal for the tasting pleasure of college students, low-income household families, and the homeless. In this cardboard-crafted sculpture, we brainstormed connotations associated with a cup of noodles, specifically its cheapness and the poor quality of its taste. For the noodles, we utilized gray styrofoam tubing to display the disgusting, artificial quality of the noodles. The grayness of the noodles makes it appear that it’s rotting or sewage sludge. The brown pennies scattered across the noodles show how underpriced the food is. What you eat is what you pay for, in a sense. Our sculpture creates awareness of how unhealthy this common household food product is. Others should know what they put into their bodies, especially growing college students.
Artists: Carleigh Templin, Rei Oikawa, and Sydney Jeffery

“Labor”

Artist statement: As we were given the Advil bottle, we danced around multiple options of what it could mean. After a few moments of discussion, we couldn’t help but gravitate towards the struggles that come with the menstrual cycle, such as the things people have to use, as well as the things they have to go through. These issues are very common and real, and because of that, we wanted the piece to portray a very grounded and real experience. By adding genitalia and the essential items for someone on their period, we hope the piece reflects the experiences and emotions of many.
Artists: Gianni Lafave, Jillian Chong, Nataly Reynoso ‘24

“Mackerel on the Beach”

Artist statement: This project is about the environmental situation with what is in our ocean and how that affects the water, land, and animals around us. When we got our topic-a literal Mackerel can, we wondered when it said, “skinless and boneless” where were the bones? Where does all of this extra material in our food and utensils go? Our idea behind our Mackerel can was to make what we don’t see, what we push into the corner and out of our minds.
Artists: Annika Amberg ‘23, Manuel Valdez-Camacho ‘24, Josh Jimenez ‘25, Lyra Pennington-Davis ‘26