The Assignment- I had students do some simple memory sketches of items that had some degree of symmetry, either bilateral or radial. Then I assigned the exercise, to make a mounted three dimensional asymmetrical sculpture using nothing but bristol board and glue. The subject could be one of the things from a earlier sketch or something brand new, but it had to be something (object or life form) that was normally symmetrical. but here would be asymmetrical due to its placement on the base or to it being distorted in some way. (Picasso's guitar sculptures are good examples of the approach I'm seeking)
Above is a student example from a previous semester. Here we see the view from above, which includes interpretations of a flower, tall weeds, a lily pad, and ripples in water. While the flower itself is radially symmetrical, the placement of the other items makes the whole composition asymmetrical. Below is a side view. It's ok if your sculpture has one best viewing position, but it should be interesting from different angles.
Use a foam core base, anywhere from 6" square to 8" x 10". Cut pieces of bristol board with scissors or knife and attach to each other or the board itself. Spend about 4 hours on it. Take advantage of the physical property of paper, which can be folded or bent into many shapes, and consider your experience in building modules last week to make stable structures that can support some weight.
This is a portfolio exercise, so it must be made up by the end of the semester to receive full credit, but I suggest you do it soon, as the experience will be helpful for some future assignments.
