Today's Class- Today we started a new graded project involving found object assemblages. Found objects are any existing materials, but for this project we are limiting ourselves to manufactured items originally created for some other purpose. Most commonly used are plastic and light metals, but items made from rubber, glass, cloth, paper, and electronic parts may be of use. Hot glue is the most common way of attaching things, but you may use wire, nuts and bolts, or anything else you can think of.
How to make this up- You will need a supply of found objects. Some students brought an assortment with them to class, and I had a small supply of items I had collected from my house, mostly plastic caps from soda bottles, milk and orange juice containers, parts of containers for toiletries, bread bag closing tabs, and starter plant label tabs. Some start with an idea of something they wish to make, while others just put together a big pile of cast off plastics and look to see if they are inspired to make anything.
As for the assignment, you are to make a representational sculpture, something that resembles a recognizable subject in terms of overall shape and proportion, as well as color and texture. It must be at least 12 inches in at least one dimension (height, length, diameter, etc). Your representation can be life size or an enlargement. I posted examples from a professional artist of this style of work on the previous blog post, and further instructions and student examples from last semester can be seen here. Above (snake) and below (cupcake) are pieces in progress from today's class.
Homework- This found object sculpture project is due at the beginning of class on April 1, 2014, at which time they will be critiqued, graded, and returned.
Students who still owe back projects and portfolio exercises should try to completed them as soon as possible, especially graded projects, which lose points for each week they are late.
For next class 3/25/14- We will start a new graded project involving creating three dimensional sculptures from discarded books. Bring two old books you don't mind cutting up (one for the project, and a spare in case you mess up the first one), preferably hard cover, at least 300 pages, and with cover dimensions about 8"x 6". ( a little larger is fine, but you don't want to get much smaller) A few pieces of foam core, or even scraps of corrugated cardboard, of the same dimensions may be helpful for working out ideas before you start cutting up the book. You will also need a pencil, your x-acto knife and spare blades are recommended (dull blades tend to tear paper rather than cut it).
