3d Foundations
News paper towers
The objectives of this project were to build a tower as high and structurally sound as possible using only newspaper and three rolls of masking tape. The towers have a base dimension of 3ft x 3ft. This is a group project that builds on team work and provides the students with a greater understanding of line, shape, form, function, materials, and structure through the use of a readily available and recyclable medium.
Body extention
This project builds on the investigation of use of line in a three-dimensional form that began with the newspaper project. The students were asked to build a body extension out of wire using various joining techniques. The second part of this assignment is to create planes on the wire armature. The end result is something the student can wear on their bodies as an extension of themselves.
Reproduction
The concept of this project is for the students to create an exact replica of a mass produced object using chipboard.
Abstraction
The concept for this project is for the students to abstract the object they reproduced using their choice of materials. We provided them with chipboard and foam core.
Cardboard chair-Form and function
This is a two part assignment. The first part of the assignment, students make 3D models of their original chair designs. Each student is asked to develop 3 designs. Next the students are divided into groups, each group decides on a new design, they are limited 8 sheets of cardboard, and various adhesives. The end product must be ridged enough for the professor to sit in with out collapsing.
Beginning sculpture
Reductive carving
To start this project students were asked to build a mold for their plaster out of cardboard. The shape of their cardboard mold should be a starting off point from where the student will begin the reductive carving process. The carving process is done using very low tech tools, students are even asked to invent their own tools useful for the shape they are creating. The end result should be a well crafted object with at least two different textures.
Mold, MULTIPLES, and manipulation
For this project, students used the process of mold making to easily repeat an object. We will take 2 part plaster molds of 1-2 easily replicated, small, draftable objects and recast them in wax to provide many small identical pieces to work with in creating a larger finished piece.
In part two of this assignment, focusing on basic principles of design (abstraction, line, symmetry, balance, repetition etc) students created a larger composition comprised of many small identical elements. This larger composition should still remain relatively small in size.
Part three of this project was then to sprue and vent the composition, mold it in ceramic shell and then cast the object in the bronze.
Part four of this project, students were introduced to various chasing and finishing techniques.
In part two of this assignment, focusing on basic principles of design (abstraction, line, symmetry, balance, repetition etc) students created a larger composition comprised of many small identical elements. This larger composition should still remain relatively small in size.
Part three of this project was then to sprue and vent the composition, mold it in ceramic shell and then cast the object in the bronze.
Part four of this project, students were introduced to various chasing and finishing techniques.
ALUMINUM relief Casting
For this project students were asked to model oil clay over a pre-existing light switch cover to create a relief. From there students constructed two part resin bonded sand molds. This is a great project to introduce students to traditional casting techniques, clay relief modeling, and metal chasing.
2x4 Challenge
The 2x4 has an interesting history in terms of building and construction techniques, structural capabilities and sculptural potential. One could also observe the material itself and recognize its origins as a tree and address that as poetic content when going into this assignment.
The idea is to alter the 2x4 by either cutting / reassembling, carving, sand blasting, drilling, laminating etc…finding their own way to change this common object and material into something which transcends itself.
The idea is to alter the 2x4 by either cutting / reassembling, carving, sand blasting, drilling, laminating etc…finding their own way to change this common object and material into something which transcends itself.
Symbolism, Curiosity & Intrigue
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Found/Chosen Object/Media & Form
The challenge for this assignment is to create a unique, visually interesting sculpture in-the-round which utilizes the material(s) it is made from to contribute to its concept. In other words, the meaning or presence of the final form should be altered, emphasized, contradicted or in some significant way modified by the object(s), material(s) from which it is constructed.
The intersection of form and material has the capability to amplify, nullify or in some other meaningful way alter the way in which a work is perceived as a whole and this is what we aspire to achieve in this project.
The intersection of form and material has the capability to amplify, nullify or in some other meaningful way alter the way in which a work is perceived as a whole and this is what we aspire to achieve in this project.
Class Exhibitons
Knowing the ends and outs of setting up a successful exhibition is, in my opinion, essential to being a successful artist. Near the end of every semester I reserved a small gallery for the class to show in. The students were their own jurors; as a group they decided which pieces would make the most cohesive show. They were also responsible for lighting, and placement of the pieces. As the instructor I promoted the exhibition and organized a closing reception to celebrate all their hard work.
