Today's Class- The morning class had left the 3D room a bit of a disaster, but the students were prepared and cleaned things enough to make use of the tables. Today we began our final project of the semester, large scale inflatable sculptures. This will take us through the end of the semester, not far away.
How to make this up- Everyone was present tonight and is caught up, but in case people want to review what we accomplished... The first step was I had everyone do at least 5 pencil sketches, one each of 5 animals of their choice. I had brought in a set of wildlife encyclopedias to use as a source, but any images can be used.
The next step was to choose one of those sketches to expand into a small 3D model, using the original source photo and constructing it with bristol board. Above, pencil sketches of some animals. Below, 3D model of a penguin.
Homework- The completed scale installation sculpture (plaster) is due at the beginning of class on May 3, 2017. At that time we will critique and grade the results.
The completed inflatable sculpture will be due on May 10, 2017, which is our final class meeting of the semester.
When we left the worktables had been cleaned. The classroom sink on the other hand, we left that as we found it.
For next class 5/3/17- We will critique the scale installation sculptures then continue our work on the Final Project. Bring clear plastic drop cloth, clear plastic sealing tape, scissors, and your plans for the inflatable sculpture. Students have the option of working together on one inflatable, or each working on one by themselves. They will not be inflated until the following week.
Today's Class- Tonight work continued on the scale installation inspired piece, starring your little plaster figure. Much plaster dust and chunks were created with the available tools, with the figures definitely taking shape. I also talked a little bit about the Final Project, which we will be beginning next week.
How to make this up- All were present tonight so everyone knows what we're doing.
When your plaster figure is complete, you need to create a setting for it. In an installation sculpture, everything is part of the work and contributes to the narrative, etc. It should be a fixed defined space, and the theme should relate to your figure somehow, but as artist you will select that theme. You may use any materials you want, color, texture, whatever. Above we see an early stage of this particular project, and I expect we'll see some changes before it's done.
Homework- The completed installation piece is due on May 3, 2017.
For next class 4/26/17- The last three meetings of the semester will be devoted to the Final Project, which will be a large inflatable piece. It will be constructed from clear plastic drop cloths and plastic sealing tape, and the subject will be an animal or plant. It must be at least 8 feet in one direction, and must have some articulations (legs, head, wings, etc) It will need to hold air long enough for us to see the full shape.
Next week is the first phase, which involves doing sketches and making small models of the intended piece, which gives a better understanding of how it will be constructed. Some examples of this first step from previous semesters:
The last step is converting your sketch to a full size three dimensional artwork, as in the examples shown below:
For next class, you need a sketchbook, pencil and eraser, glue, scissors or x-acto knife, and scraps of bristol board and/or foam core sufficient to build a small model of the animal or plant you decide to build. You have the option of working in groups for the final piece, but everyone must do the sketches and construct a small model themselves.
Today's Class- Tonight we worked on the next graded project, combining figure sculpture, scale adjustments, and the concept of installation art, along with two new materials for this class. The process began several weeks ago when we cast blocks of plaster and set them aside for the future. I opened with a brief slide show of two late 20th century artists who popularized installation art- George Segal and Edward Keinholz. From a pile of magazines I brought in, students selected a photo of a person and created a scale model of that figure using modeling clay. That clay figure would be used as a model for a plaster figure carved from the cast blocks.
Just as sculptors have been doing for centuries, the modeled clay piece was used to provide a visual reference, aiding in deciding what had to be removed. Using available tools, students started cutting the blocks down to the shapes they will need to be. A little messy, but great progress was made.
How to make this up- Everyone was present, got started, and knows what to do.
Homework- Nothing yet. Work will continue on this project in next week's class, at which time I will decide when the final piece will be due.
For next class 4/19/17- We continue on these installation pieces. Once the plaster figures are carved, you will need to create the environment that will be around them, and that space is considered part of the sculpture. I will have all the same tools, but if there is something else you want to use, bring it in. Also bring in whatever materials you need to work on the installation part of the piece- found objects, glue. etc.
Today's Class- Tonight was Day 2 of the book project. Everyone continued on those, and the books were finished, critiqued, graded, and returned. It was also the due date for the cast off manufactured materials project, or what I often call the plastic project, so we had a critique of those.
There was a balloon animal dog sitting on the table when I arrived, and while that might technically qualify, tonight's students easily topped that.
How to make this up- Everyone was there and completed the book graded project.
Homework- Nothing new, as everyone seems to be caught up, so enjoy the rest. Two more major projects to go starting next week.
For next class 4/12/17- Our next project is a scaled down figure installation style project. Each student will create a small model in clay, based on a photo of a person. That clay piece will function as a prototype for a plaster figural piece, carved from blocks we cast earlier in the semester. The plaster figure will form the subject of the installation piece- a sculpture in which the environment that surrounds the featured piece is just as much the sculpture as the plaster piece.
Above and below are examples of this same project from a previous semester. The plaster is carved using tools that will be in the classroom, and you have the option of using anything you want to create the rest of the piece's environment.
You will have two weeks in class to work on this project, plus additional time at home if needed. Bring sketchbook and pencil to work out ideas, with additional materials probably not needed until the following week.
