Elsha Thapa

Runn

The sculpture Runn is part of the Rat Race collection. It is a performative Kinetic Sculpture. When the human figure moves its hands, the sculpture changes its dimensions. The sculpture suggests the monotonous nature of the Rat Race. The 144 pattern pieces come together using 234 rivets and 36 jump rings with a total of 270 pieces of hardware. Donated swatches of the Polyester fabric have been cut and heat pressed into 72 pieces. 3 rivets join the 4 pieces as a single piece, resulting in 36 individual joined patterns with 108 rivets. The heat presses pieces are alternately placed. They are also placed alternately facing opposite sides at the two different levels.The 36 patterns are joined at 5 different places alternating each pattern using 108 rivets.At the top of the sculpture, 36 jump rings are used to connect it to the fabric waistband.

“Sculpture and Fashion Design - both liberal arts - have invariably influenced my designs. While I take inspiration from the silhouette of garments and human figures, my fascination with the visual arts leads me to create kinetic sculptures. This is not an act of rebellion or change; rather, the motive here is more to affirm and accept personal expression. It is a continuation of what has been, and it looks toward the future of what will be. A passion for creating new things led me to establish Amalgamated Composition since 2021. It consists of a series of kinetic sculpture prototypes created with waste and donated materials to change perceptions and ideas about them. Reducing our carbon footprint is of paramount importance in today’s world and that is precisely the reason I have resolved to upcycle discarded materials to create something fascinating. "Rat race" is Amalgamated Composition's debut collection. A set of three performative kinetic sculptures were developed and titled Run, Runn, and Runnn respectively. The three sculptures are being asked to do their due diligence by captivating the audience's attention, giving them a moment of “aha”. In essence, their names are satires on nature or on the concept of a "rat race" and the fear of competing. My designs are carved based on human figures but not for them, displaying independence in the way they are crafted. It does not thrive on the combination of two dominant genres; instead, it evolves into a new, that is ready, ready-to-run – The Rat Race.”