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. Strive for innovative solutions that have content and meaning. Do not "illustrate" the poem. 


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. 
• I have clear tape and brown paper tape for students to share. Students may purchase their own tape. 
• I also have staples for students to share. Again, students may purchase their own. 
• Color is optional and choice of material for color is student choice. 

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/living room/dorm. Think very carefully if photographing outside in nature - the textures of trees and grass can compete with the sculpture. 
• The model can be you or someone else. 
• The final solution should cover at least 90% of the body with paper. You may cover face/head. 

Steps To Take

• Step 1
• Look at artist inspiration. Keep in mind, the artists I selected are not all using paper. For this assignment, students are limited to the materials above. 
• Go to right column and search category, "Poetry Garment Artists".
• If on your phone and you don't see the right column, scroll to bottom and click "web version". 
• Step 2
• Look at student work. 
• Go to the right column and search category, "Poetry Garment Student Work".
• If on your phone and don't see the right column, scroll to bottom and click on "web version".
• Step 3
• Review several poems of your choice. 
• When reviewing poems, select those that you think can translate to a three-dimensional form (the garment). Use the artist examples and student work to help guide you on the expectations. 
• Do not skip looking at artist and student examples. This assignment asks students to think deeply and demonstrate innovation with content and meaning. 
• Step 4
• Select two poems. 
• Print out each poem. On the printed out piece of paper, write the questions below with your answer for each poem. 
• Bring each poem with completed questions and answers to class. 
• Identify elements and principles you associate with each poem. See right column, "Elements and Principles Visual Examples". 
• What color(s) do you associate with the poem? 
• What shapes? 
• Lines? 
• What texture(s) do you associate with the poem? 
• 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? 
• Do you see repetition in the poem? Formally or conceptually? 
• Additionally:
• What emotion do you associate with the poem?
• How would you describe the poem to a friend? 
• Step 5
• Out of the three poems, select two that you think will best translate into a garment worn on the body. 
• Step 6
• Prepare sketches of at least two different ideas for Poem #1. 
• Include as many notes as possible to explain your sketch. 
• Bring a hard copy of sketches to class (Or can show on iPad. Do not show me sketches on your phone.)
• Step 7
• Prepare sketches of at least two different ideas for Poem #2. 
• Include as many notes as possible to explain your sketch. 
• Bring a hard copy of sketches to class (Or can show on iPad. Do not show me sketches on your phone.)
• Step 8
• Share ideas with the class.
• Step 9
• Explore the white and/or brown craft paper to further develop your ideas. 
• The paper can be twisted, woven, layered, accordian folded, crushed/wrinkled for texture, 3D forms can be made with the paper and added to the surface. 
• Step 10
• Begin construction of your idea. Be prepared to adapt along the way as you learn what the paper can and cannot do. 

What do I post on my blog?

• Refer to document in File Section in Canvas entitled "Blog Guidelines and Checklist". 
• The required information due during finals week. Date announced in class. 

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.