Cabinet of Curiosity Assignment

Assignment

Design and construct a cabinet. The purpose of the cabinet is to display a collection. The student will design and construct items for the collection. Assign a historical theme to the cabinet - can be factual or fictional. Theme taken from the research/presentation you prepared for the book To Have and To Hold: An Intimate History of Collectors. 

Objective

• Introduce histories related to collecting (Cabinets of Curiosity) that led to the establishment of museums. This project ties into the assigned book To Have and To Hold: An Intimate History of Collectors and Collecting by Philipp Bloom. 
• Culminate three-dimensional design and construction skills with an assignment that challenges conceptual development. 

Guidelines

• The Cabinet
• See materials below. 
• Cabinet needs to measure at least 16" H x 14" W x 8" D.
• Cabinet needs to have two sections designed to display two different artifacts. 
• Cabinet needs to contain a "topper" - design structure that is attached to the top of the cabinet.
• Presentation of cabinet with objects will be made with cabinet standing upright. 
• The Collection
• See materials below. 
• The collection consists of two (2) 3D artifacts (objects) (height x width x depth). 
• Each artifact measures at least 4-inches in one direction. 
• Option to make smaller artifacts - produce more to equal volume of four required objects. 

Materials

• The Cabinet
• Choose between black foam board or wood. Many wood scraps available in wood shop. Can also combine these two materials. 
• The Artifacts
• Use materials that will support your idea. Many extra/scrap materials available in the studio. Materials and processes to consider - cardboard, balsa wood, stitching/fabric, wood, 

Cabinet and Artifact Inspiration

Go to Cabinets of Curiosity Research, in right index column. Or click on link below. 

https://foundations3ddesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Cabinet%20of%20Curiosity%20Research

Steps to Take

Step 1

Give presentation for your assigned reading pages from the book To Have and To Hold. 

Step 2

Refer back to your presentation/reading pages for To Have and To Hold. The idea for your cabinet and two artifacts will originate from the pages you read.  

Step 3

Begin designing cabinet and items for collection. Make sure you consider the size/space you create for each artifact. The space should be designed for the artifact. For example, a small artifact should not be placed in a large space. 

Step 4

Begin building cabinet and collection. 

Post the following information on your blog. 

• Photographs
• At least one in process photo. 
• At least three professional photo's of the final solution from three different angles. 
• At least two professional detail shots. These can be of the artifacts. Take artifacts out of cabinet and photograph on their own if needed to get a good photos. Feel free to take additional pics of the artifacts in/out of the cabinet. Your goal is to have the photos present all details of the artwork so viewer of photos can have an experience as close as they can to viewing in person. 
• Make sure the first image you present on the blog  is a full shot of the cabinet and is labeled with Title, Materials and Dimensions (width" x height" x depth"). 
• Artist Statement
• Writing must demonstrate collegiate writing skills. Writing demonstrates time and effort. Writing demonstrates content, reflective thought and intellect. Writing is free of grammar, punctuation and spelling errors
• Do not include your comments or details of the assignment. For example, do not state "the assignment was to...". Begin statement with what the work is about. Example, "The concept for this sculpture was influenced (or you can say inspired) by cabinets of curiosity.  
• Follow this sentence with a discussion of content - what the work is about. Include info on how the work connects connects to history. 
• Make sure to include explanation for artifacts in artist statement. 
• You can conclude with stating your intent for the work - what you want to visually communicate. 
• Writing should be efficient - do not ramble. Do not submit the first statement you write. Take time to review and edit your writing at least twice.
• Optional
• Sketches and/or notes from Research Packet or your own sketchbook. 

Assignment updated 2022