Poetry Garment Assignment Guidelines

Assignment
Design and construct a sculptural garment inspired by a poem. Final solution to be worn on the body and photographed. Model pose and location will enhance the meaning and content of the sculptural garment and therefore are included in evaluation criteria. Option - include a video of the model wearing sculptural garment. Video does not replace photos.

Objective
Extract elements and principles from the written word and apply to three-dimensional concepts. Plan and develop elements and principles with regard to model styling/posing and location.

Materials

• White or brown craft paper (available in art building)
• Use glue, thread, string, staples and/or tape to construct the sculpture. 
• Color is optional.

Inspiration
"Poetry Garments Artists" category, in right column. If viewing this blog on your phone and right column does not appear, scroll to bottom of page and select "web version".

Student Examples
"Poetry Garment Student Work" category, see right column.
Also, "Wearable Paper Sculpture Student Work" category has good examples of paper construction for a body sculpture.

Guidelines

• Term "garment" used loosely. Final solution should demonstrate innovation. Think "sculptural" rather than "functional". Avoid predictable solutions. 
• In addition to designing and constructing the paper garment, you must style your model and design the environment where the model is posed. The environment will enhance the paper sculpture worn on the model AND relate to the poem. Do not simply photograph model wearing garment in your kitchen. 
• The model can be you or someone else. 
• The final solution should cover at least 90% of the body with paper. You may cover your face/head. 
• Begin developing an idea by analyzing the elements and principles you associate with the poem. See right column, "Elements and Principles Visual Examples". 
• What color do you assign to the poem? Shapes? Lines? Textures? 
• Do you see a horizontal, vast space? Or does the poem communicate a more vertical, stacked sense of space?  
• Would you say the poem is symmetrical or asymmetrical? 
• Do you associate a pattern with the poem? 
• Prepare sketches of two different ideas. Include as many notes as possible to explain idea. 
• A total of five (5) photographs. Three images show full sculpture from three different angels. Two images are details (a close up of successful area). 
• Option to include a video of final solution. Between 2 and 3 minutes. 
• Post images on your blog so you may present to the class on the scheduled due date. Those who do not present images on the scheduled due date receive an automatic 5 point deduction from this project grade. 5 points also deducted for not showing actual sculpture.

Post the following information on your blog:

• At least three inspiration images of sculptural garments. Include source. 
• Sketches of two different ideas. 
• At least five in process images. One must be of you making the work. 
• The poem you chose.
• Artist Statement. Use the original list of observations about elements and principles to help you write statement. Statement needs to be free of spelling errors, use capitalization and correct grammar. 
• Five (5) images of the final solution. Three images show full sculpture in an environment you from three different angels. Two images are details (a close up of successful areas on the garment). 
• Option to include a video of final solution. Between 2 and 3 minutes. 

Paper Construction No Tape or Glue Assignment Guidelines

ASSIGNMENT:

Construct three (3) paper sculptures using only card stock and exacto knife (no adhesives). Explore positive/negative space, depth and figure/ground relationship. 

OBJECTIVE:

1. Introduce student to the basics of 3-dimensional form.
2. Discuss final solutions in relation to elements and principles, content and concept. 

DETAILS:

1. The first sculpture is "Human Figure". Demonstrate positive and negative space. Animal forms are also acceptable.
2. Second is "Shadow Box". Demonstrate foreground, middle and background.
3. Third is "House".  Demonstrate a figure/ground relationship in 3D. The figure in this case will be the house and the ground is the area perpendicular to the house. See example above as well as student examples. 
4. You choose how to interpret these themes.
5. No tape, glue, staples or adhesives of any kind. 
6. Use only CARD STOCK.
7. Strive to make cuts so you are using large sheets of paper, rather than small pieces. "Folds" and "creases" are good.
8. Consider the various marks you can make with the Exacto knife. Puncture holes, scrapping. fringe.
9. Each sculpture will be small - approximately the size of your hand, or two hands. 

MATERIALS:

1. White Card Stock
2. Exacto Knife

The images below is the work of Idhenson. You can see more of the artist's paper cuts on Deviant Art. Link here.

What to put on your blog:

1. Images of work in process.

2. Professional images of each sculpture. At least two images for each sculpture. 

3. A brief statement about each sculpture. 

4. Optional  - Any sketches or drawings you did for the project.