Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate an understanding of the visual elements and principles of design.
- Develop and refine problem-solving skills to enhance creative thinking.
- Be able to define 4 major methods of sculpture – relief, in the round, installation, and time based.
Important Terminology
Volume: refers to the space within a form
Plane: that element of form which can be described in two dimensions, predominantly characterized by surface, or any flat or level surface (planar materials include: cardboard, sheet metal, paper, fabric, etc.)
Maquette: a small sculpture made as a preparatory study or model for a full-scale work
Formalism: The concept that a work’s artistic value is entirely determined by its form–the way it is made, its purely visual aspects and its medium. Formalism emphasizes compositional elements such as color, line, shape and texture rather than realism, context or content. To put it as simply as possible, formalism deals with formal properties of art primarily and deals with concept second or not at all.
Materials
Sketchbook
Cheap poster board (for maquette) – (you must make/show your maquette and get approval prior to final project) – final project should be similar to your maquette and sketches – bring both to the final critique
Masking tape (for maquette ONLY)
Several sheets of mat board (purchased from Art Supply store)
Utility knife with lots of replacement blades
X-acto knife with extra blades
Scissors (only heavy duty ones will work, like kitchen scissors)
Ruler, Protractor, Compass, Calculator
Glue gun & glue sticks
White glue
Rubber bands (big ones)
Small cheap brush
Mini-Assignments
1. Research different methods used in paper construction.
2. Look over images located on art website.
3. Sketch out at least 5 different sculptures from multiple angles in your sketchbook.
4. Accumulate materials to bring in to class.
5. Create a small maquette for your anticipated sculpture.
Major Assignment
Create a sculpture that emphasizes volume through planes. The resulting project will be a closed form that protrudes from the wall. The sculpture should attach to the wall, change the wall or look like it comes from the wall but cannot be free standing. The sculpture should be abstract and utilize the elements and principles of design. The sculpture should be about 2 feet wide or larger.
The elements of design are line, shape, form, value, color, texture, and space (positive/negative)
The principles of design include pattern, rhythm/repetition, contrast, balance, unity, emphasis, movement.
You may abstract a familiar object or work purely with the elements and principles of design. No representational imagery, no clichés. The work should use the natural color of the mat board (it is pretty difficult to paint without getting bubbles).
CRAFTSMANSHIP is KEY – the construction must look good, the angles must look good, the surface of the mat board must look good, etc. Remember, this is about formalism, so the overall aesthetic is KEY!
Readings
The readings for this assignment focus more on design aesthetics than building something with mat board. Read “Ten Principles for Good Design: Dieter Rams” and watch the video below. Answer the following questions. Do you agree with his design principles? Why or why not? Can you think of a few bad designs? What about really elegant ones? How might this affect how you work on this project?
Considerations
Remember that this is an exercise in activating space using fabricated volumetric forms.
Craftsmanship will be pivotal to your grade! Use of tape & structure are VERY IMPORTANT. Content is not the end goal here. Formalism is! The forms should be interesting and engaging. It must be wall mounted.
This project is extremely time intensive. Be prepared. Use your time wisely. With that said, this is your opportunity to visually express what you know. This assignment is a good exercise for preparing you for metal fabrication, package design or soft sculpture. The idea is to use flat planes to create volume.
Determine where your sculpture will be exhibited…try to imagine it is a commissioned artwork. Where should it go?
Research
David Smith
Tony Smith
Robert Morris
Donald Judd
Constantin Brancusi
Thomas Demand
Low Poly Sculptures (lots of good ideas)
The Art of Cardboard
Cardboarders.com
Paper models of polyhedra
Geometric Nets
Scott Roberts
