Cardboard, B&W

Overview

A story about going downstairs and back up again in an ever-descending/ascending spiral.

Background

Like a lot of people in the Coronavirus lockdowns, my usage of delivery services increased considerably. The distinct BEEP-boop of deliveries now provokes a Pavlovian response that sends me scurrying for my next treat. Our flat has a staircase down to the front door (although not a spiral one, sadly) and the process of hoofing down there to meet the postie has become all-too familiar.

It made me think about two-floor living. I grew up in maisonettes and the feeling of traversing the stairs, only to forget what you went up or down for is a very familiar one.

Building the structure was a mathematical challenge that was a bit beyond me. After several attempts to make the net by hand, I turned to Unfolder, a Mac app that transforms 3D models into 2D nets. I have dabbled with Blender and other 3D modelling programs for years now and although I wouldn’t call myself proficient in any way, they do come in handy sometimes. I managed to make a version of the staircase, unfolded it into a net and then added text manually.

Staircase is indicative of my increasing interest in looping narratives and stories contained in upright tubes.