Today's Class- Today we began the final project of the semester. You will be creating a large scale inflatable sculpture with the subject being some kind of living thing. The first step was to do pencil sketches of potential designs. The second step was to create a scale model using foam core or bristol board, so you could think about the design of parts to make it. Construction of the sculpture will begin next week.
Everyone was there for at least part of the day, so you all should know the assignment. Above is an example from last semester of some pencil sketches of animals and plants, as well as a 3D model of one of the creatures, a shark. Below is a photo of the inflatable shark that was eventually made by a group of students.
Use the scale model to determine what kind of pieces of plastic will be required to make the sculpture. You'll be needing to get some clear plastic drop cloths (available wherever house paint is sold), and they'll be held together with clear plastic sealing tape, sold in home centers and wherever packaging materials are sold. Use your model to estimate the required square footage of plastic and length of tape needed. What you make must be at least 8 feet long in one direction, and it must have some kind of articulations- legs, fins, wings, so you're not just making a simple tube. More details of the assignment and more student examples can be found here.
Homework- This Final Project is due on May 13, 2014, our final day of class. The sooner that day that you have shown me your inflated sculpture, the sooner you will be done, so try to get there early.
For next class 5/6/14- This will be a general work day for whatever you need to do, and I imagine most will use it to construct their inflatable sculptures. However, you may also use the time for anything related to class, such as any back projects that you sill owe, or portfolio exercises that you haven't completed yet, or to work on your museum paper. Bring with you whatever you need to complete whatever you plan to work on.
