Madi Williams
Workshop - New York City
Madi Williams was an artist who lived during the time of the 2020 disasters - including the COVID wars.
Her workshop was discovered earlier this year (2120), one hundred years after it was abandoned by the artist.
No depictions of this artist have been found, so the team at NIDA identifies her with this sticker which was found decorating the urban workshop.
Artefact no. #56433
TOPIC NAME:
Metalwork (woodwork elements).
TITLE/PROJECT NAME:
Knife, wooden handle and sheath.
APROX. DATE COMPLEATED:
Project abandoned during early 2020.
DIMENSIONS+MEASURMENTS:
400mm x 40mm
Blade - 250mm x 30mm
MATERIALS:
Aluminium and hard timber.
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TECHNIQUES:
Knife was made with aluminium, a soft material often used to make prop weapons. The blade would have been cut from a sheet of aluminium with use of a jigsaw. With the overall shape free, the metal would have been neatened with a file and then shaped with a file to achieve the illusion of a sharp blade. To remove the marks - finer files would be gradually used - finished finally with a wet and dry emery paper.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
On the artist's computer; which was also discovered in the abandoned workshop, files showing a digital reconstruction were found and restored from the ancient hard drive. Presented below is the artist's goal - presented in the form of a digital reconstruction.
“A fine weapon of its time. The Japanese blade, the Tanto was popularised by films and video games of the 21st century. Archives identify this weapon as a sword, however it is more commonly used as a knife due to its short length. This is a truly beautiful piece, and superbly polished!”
Artefact no. #426353
TOPIC NAME:
Woodwork.
TITLE/PROJECT NAME:
Handle.
APROX. DATE COMPLEATED:
Project abandoned during early 2020.
DIMENSIONS+MEASURMENTS:
Palm sized*
MATERIALS:
Hard Timber.
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TECHNIQUES:
Hard timber cut to size with use of a drop saw would have formed the basis for this shape. Using a drill two holes would have been made at either side. And then the piece of wood would have been carved with the use of a lathe. Sandpaper would then have been used to finish the piece followed by a coating of bees wax.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
It is unclear what the purpose this handle had. Many on our team speculate its use... some say it was the handle for a hand held tool, others think it was a handle for a cabinet or even possibly token or good luck charm.
"Ah yes, I have many similar examples of fine 21st century woodworking in my private collection. The precision and care put into such a hand-made item is a wonder to behold. Wooden objects are extremely rare today, of course, as there are no natural trees remaining on planet Earth."
Artefact no. #37294647
TOPIC NAME:
Drawing.
TITLE/PROJECT NAME:
Collection of various led pencil sketches.
APROX. DATE COMPLEATED:
Project abandoned during early 2020.
DIMENSIONS+MEASURMENTS:
Drawn on A3 drawing pad.
MATERIALS:
Led pencil, paper.
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TECHNIQUES:
Each of these drawings have been completed using a variety of techniques. Most are different from each other however what they all share is that they are led pencil drawings on paper. The majority of the hand drawings were done either using the non-dominant hand or single line. The more refined drawing of a hand as well as the flower drawing presents hatching as a shading technique.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
The large collection of hand drawings are believed to be drawn by the artist Madi Williams, she appears to have drawn her own hand in order to practise these techniques.
"All these drawings are wonderful. They show an array of techniques and artistry. All being drawings of hands they show a great contrast in techniques explored in the 21st century.."
TOPIC NAME:
Metalwork.
TITLE/PROJECT NAME:
Stool.
APROX. DATE COMPLEATED:
Project abandoned during early 2020.
DIMENSIONS+MEASURMENTS:
680mm x 250mm
MATERIALS:
20mm square hollow steel.
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Artefact no. #78005
TECHNIQUES:
Hollow steel would have been cut through the use of a cold saw. Each piece would have then been ground down; to remove sharp edges and strip paint, through the use of an angle grinder. A MIG welder would then be used to attach pieces together.
- It is also likely that a jig would have been used to ensure items were attached to be square.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
On the artist's computer; which was also discovered in the abandoned workshop, files showing a digital reconstruction were found and restored from the ancient hard drive. Presented below is the artist's goal - presented in the form of a digital reconstruction.
"While this object is mainly used as a device to place oneself when the need to be stationed in one place, but its more important function is that of combat. This durable frame is perfect for defence while distancing the wielder from harmful contact. The substantial weight and relatively hard material selection allows for brutal, possibly fatal blows to opponents while not damaging the weapon itself."
Artefact no. #9363446
TOPIC NAME:
Sculpture.
TITLE/PROJECT NAME:
Wendigo Sculpture.
APROX. DATE COMPLEATED:
Project abandoned during early 2020.
DIMENSIONS+MEASURMENTS:
~300mm tall
MATERIALS:
Monster clay, wire, aliminum foil, oven bake clay.
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TECHNIQUES:
This piece is made primarily Monster Clay, an oil-based sulfur-free clay. In order to make the base the artist would have used a collection of wire, masking tape and aluminum foil. In order to sculpt monster clay, the artist would have had to warm the clay up and sculpt using tools.
ADITIONAL NOTES:
This sculpture depicts a wendigo, a creature from native American legend. The wendigo is a monster of starvation and cannibalism.
“This piece sent chills through my spine! I had to have it in my collection. I had read about horrific tales of the creature depicted here, the Wendigo… But most depictions could not portray the inhumanity of these creatures. That is what I love about this piece. I only wish I could have seen the artist at work.”
Artefact no. #73746
TOPIC NAME:
Polymers.
TITLE/PROJECT NAME:
Elephant mold and cast.
APROX. DATE COMPLEATED:
Project abandoned during early 2020.
DIMENSIONS+MEASURMENTS:
60mm tall (mold) 50mm tall (cast)
MATERIALS:
Pinkysil (silicone), easycast (resin)
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TECHNIQUES:
The mold would have been made with a type of liquid silicone - poured over an existing object (in this case an elephant statue). To ensure the mold had form a paper cup was used to make the walls for the mold, keeping the liquid silicone in place while it set. Once set the mold was cut open using a sharp blade in a zig-zag pattern. The cup was used again to hold the mold together tightly when pouring the resin in to make a cast.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
The resin under further investigation was found to be easy cast - a resin which sets an ivory colour. The resin to have turned out this colour the artist must have used a collection of pigments and shimmers.
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“Yet another example of the mold and cast being found together. This mold and cast is of a creature known as an elephant. This animal has been extinct for nearly eighty years now, even in the year of 2020 it was an endangered species. It is likely that this sculpture of an elephant held significance to the people of the time. Was a mold made to attempt to profit of this importance?”