Book of Knowledge

For my project I have decided to use the brain as my reproduced body part. I am currently taking a biology class on brain dysfunctions and through this class I have learned that it is extremely easy to have complications within the brain. I feel that many people take for granted how extremely complex the brain is and the millions of functions that the brain completes in order for the body to perform even the simplest task, every day! In addition, the brain is like a sponge that is constantly absorbing new information because it is the main control center for storing and learning knowledge. One of the main reasons for choosing this specific part of the body is that my grandfather (who was an artist in many medias) had Alzheimer/ Dementia. This is a non-diagnosable disease that deteriorates your brain and results in a loss of all bodily functions. This loss includes speaking, memory, behavior, language, which leads to the end result of fatality. Therefore, I will be dedicating my sculpture to my grandfather because he has passed on to me not only knowledge, but has inspired me to become an artist and live on the path I currently am on at UCI.

For my project, the materials I need are:
-Styrofoam ball
-clay (2 packs)
-watercolors
-paint brushes
-varnish/gesso
-razor
-cardboard
-a really big book
I will be able to find all these materials around my house or at Michaels.

I want my project to look like an ordinary book from a distance, but when you open the book; all the pages will be cut out. Inside the rectangular cut outs of each page, which should form an empty space in the book, I will insert a brain. The brain will be sculpted from Styrofoam and clay, and painted with water colors to create a more realistic color scheme. In addition, I will be covering it with a varnish or gesso material so that the brain appears wet, like it was just pulled out of someone's head.