TY Students (Rebecca Kelly, Kianá Donnellan, Sophie McGahon & Anna Rattigan) • 16 • Mayo

16-18 Category   •  2024
This sculpture is a whimsical exploration of scale, nostalgia, and the boundary between fantasy and reality, represented as an oversized chocolate cake. With hyper-realistic textures, bright red “cherries,” and fluffy “buttercream” Frosting, We wanted our sculpture to invite viewers to reconnect with their childhood imagination,—where larger-than-life treats are possible, where a Favorite dessert could grow into a monumental proportion! Constructed from both block and plumber’s expanding foam, we tried to make the materials mimic the texture and density of a real cake. The porous foam replicates the crumbly texture, while smoother areas evoke creamy filling. This contrast between rough, textured “cake” and smooth “filling” enhances the illusion from a distance, while up close, it becomes clear that the sculpture is an artificial Construction. It's exaggerated scale disrupts expectations—transforming a familiar, edible object into something surreal and impossible to consume. This shift encourages the audience to question their perceptions and reimagine everyday objects, blending reality with playful imagination. Beyond its appearance, we hope our giant cake evokes nostalgia, recalling the joy of birthdays and childhood treats and taps into the memories of indulgence, inviting viewers to Savor the magic of fleeting, joyful moments.