Hourglass
Form and Function
Purpose of an Hourglass
The hourglass has been around for a long time. Its function is to keep time in increments and can also be used for decoration and props. This hourglass was designed as a prop for a music video project and more for a sculptural installation than a product line.
Each bulb in the hourglass are equal because time moves in a continuous pace. Glass is the best material for an hourglass because this is how they were originally made. Making them in glass reduces the use of plastic and helping the environment.
Glassblowing hourglass allows the artist create different designs and forms of it.
Hourglass Design Ideation
I created an hourglass with wraps on each cone/bulb to create an optical illusion of sand falling endlessly and for appearance.
Left image is a drawing of a standard form of the hourglass and frame design. The right image are drawings of an hourglass as more abstract forms compared to the standard form.
Ways to Create an Hourglass
One form hourglass as the bulbs connected with narrow neck in the center with an opening on one end. I created an hourglass with one form because of incorporating a frame design. I wanted the hourglass to appear as one using the frame to hide the hole of the opening.
Two-part hourglass makes two separate bulbs/cones and glued together in the center.
Frame Design Ideation
The hourglass frame was made from cherry wood and the legs were carved on the lathe. The legs of the frame is designed with repetition in a big form then a little form. I created the base of the frame round rather rectangular because a round form of base synchronizes with the form of the hourglass. The whole hourglass can roll like how time is endless.
