Today's Class- Today we started a new project using a new material for the first time. a traditional codex, or a book with a spine with pages bound on one side. You will be carving the block of pages to create a contained sculpture. As for the above photo, if you were there you know what that was about.
How to make this up- The rules include that the book must be able to still close and open normally, that all pages must remained partly attached to the original binding, and that no glue can be used. Besides that there are two options, and I have good student examples of each below:
A) Positive Shape Form-
For this option you will be carving away what you don't want to create a positive shape or arrangement of positive shapes. (a scene, for example) You may use the whole block of pages as your starting point, or create something that extends onto both covers. In this portrait piece, all the dark shapes shown are shadows created by light in the classroom.
B) Negative Shape Form-
For this option, you would need to think more in terms of negative space. Divide the whole block of pages into roughly 4 equal sized thicknesses. You will create shapes that change, alter, disappear, and newly appear between the different sections. For example, of the shapes that start cutting through the first section, some must continue through to the second section, while some most stop, but new negative shapes must be revealed as viewers continue to move through the book. Those shapes must remain connected to themselves, a continuous void, but can change dimension from beginning to end. Above is a view inside the front cover, below we can see how the negative shapes on the right side have started to change from the ones on the left.
This example uses abstract geometric shapes, but if you have an idea for doing this process with a representational scene, that is also acceptable.
This book sculpture graded project will continue in class next week. Due date will be announced by the end of next week's class.
Homework- Nothing new, but I did review with some students which items that they still need to turn in. Exercises can be done at any time, but there is a time factor in the graded projects, so those should be completed as soon as possible.
I also reminded people today that the museum assignments are due on April 22, 2014, about one month from now. I recommend getting the visit out of the way soon, before all your classes start hitting you with other papers, projects, and tests.
For next class 4/1/14- We will look at the found object (plastic) sculptures that we started in class last week. They will be critiqued, graded and returned by the end of the day. The rest of the class period will be devoted to continuing work on the book sculpture project, so bring back the books you were working on, knives, and anything else you might need.
