Experimental Sculpture Collection Assignment Guidelines

Assignment

• Create a collection of three non-representational sculptures.
• Utilize the elements and principles of art and design.
• Strive for innovative ways to use the materials to visually provoke curiosity.
• The final solutions will be ambiguous.

am·big·u·ous| amˈbiɡyəwəs | 

adjective(of language) open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning: 

Objective

• Explore how materials can be manipulated to achieve innovative results.
• This approach to exploring gives permission for students to take risks and exercise curiosity.
• Utilize the elements and principles of design to create sculptures that are visually unified and balanced.

Guidelines

• Three separate sculptures, non-representational and demonstrate innovation.

• Sculpture #1 - Repetition
• Repetition must dominate the sculpture. 
• Consider how making marks on a surface or using textural forms/marks can create repetition. 

• Sculpture #2 - Focal Point
• Create a sculpture that visually communicates an innovative focal point.
• Focal point achieved by having one, small area, drastically different from the majority. 
• Think of two opposite elements. Example, a small area of texture painted white while the rest of the sculpture is smooth and painted red. 
• Creating a "center" area does not necessarily create a focal point - especially in sculpture. 

• Sculpture #3 - Negative Space

• Create a sculpture that visually communicates innovative negative space. 
• Negative space are spaces that "a bird can fly through". 
• Pay attention to how negative space contributes to a design experienced in 3D. 

• Size
• Each sculpture needs to measure at least 8" in at least two directions. 
•  8" (height) x 8" (width) x 8" (depth). 

• Materials - Use with Innovation
• Use 3 or 4 materials for each sculpture. 
• Do not use the same 3 - 4 materials for all three sculptures. 
• One sculpture must use the skeleton/skin process. 
• This counts as three materials - wire, tracing paper, modge podge. 

• Materials to choose from: 
• WOOD
• Balsa Wood. 
• Available for students in 3D Metal Cabinet in Studio 3. 
• Hard Wood Scraps. 
• Available in Wood Shop. 
• TAPE
• Clear Packing Tape. 
• Available in 3D metal cabinet in Studio 3. 
• Masking Tape. 
• Student purchase. 
• PAPER
• Tracing Paper. 
• Student purchase. 
• White Watercolor Paper. 
• Available in 3D metal cabinet in Studio 3.
• GLUE. Attaching with glue is not innovative. 
• Modge Podge. 
• Available in 3D Metal Cabinet in Studio 3. 
• Hot Glue. 
• Students purchase glue sticks. 
• Glue guns available on Karma Kart in Studio 3. 
• Gorilla White Glue. 
• Student Purchase. 
• Gorilla Construction Glue
• Available in 3D metal cabinet in Studio 3.
• Elmer's Yellow Wood Glue
• Available in 3D metal cabinet in Studio 3. 
• THREAD
• Available on Karma Kart in Studio 3. 
• WIRE
• Student Purchase
• Wire cutters available on the Karma Kart in Studio 3. 
• 3D PEN AND 3D PRINTING, PLASTIC
• Available in the Innovation Center, located next to the Student Center.  
• Go to link below for website for innovation center, scroll down to box that states "technology use request". Submit your request. 
• https://www.flagler.edu/student-life/student-spaces/brown-innovation-center

• Color 
• Use paint or thread for color (you can use your own or find on Karma Kart). Can also use the inks you purchased. However do not use all your ink as you will need ink for next assignment. 
• No more than two colors per sculpture. 
• Can be the same color(s) for all three sculptures.
• Black, white or gray counts as a color. 
• Amount of color can be very little. Focus on demonstrating how color can make an impact on your sculpture. 

• Innovative Processes
• Use at least three processes from the list.
• Can have more than one process on a sculpture. 
  
• Do not repeat a process on another sculpture.
• *One sculpture required to have Skeleton Skin process.
• Weave
• Layer
• Stack
• Cut Negative Shapes in Watercolor Paper or Wood
• Braid
• Stitch. Ask me for a sewing needle. 
• Roll
• Twist 
• Wrap
• Paper Pulp
• Use Wood Shop Machines/Tools
• Make Shapes with Gorilla White Glue or Elmers Yellow Glue.
• Make Shapes/Textures with Hot Glue
• Shapes/Textures with Gorilla Construction Glue
• *Skeleton/Skin
• Build skeleton with wire, cover with tracing paper and modge podge. 
• Tracing Paper and Modge Podge Forms
• Cover tracing paper in modge podge, use hands to "scrunch", "twist" paper into a form(s). 
• Laser Cutting, Engraving, 3D Printing (Innovation Center)
• Option for student to purchase acrylic sheets for engraving. Can also engrave on wood or cardboard. Cardboard not a  material on our list, so see me if you are interested in laser cutting or engraving on cardboard. 
• Go to link below for website for innovation center, scroll down to box that states "technology use request". Submit your request. 
• https://www.flagler.edu/student-life/student-spaces/brown-innovation-center

• Materials needed for construction:

• Purchased by student:
• Utility Knife
• Exacto Knife
• Pencil
• Cut Matt
• Brushes
• Scissors
• Available for students on the Karma Kart
• Ruler 
• Wire Cutters
• Thread
• Safety Glasses - Must wear when working with wire or in the wood shop. 
• Wood Shop
• Must complete training before using any tools or machines in the wood shop. 

Balsa Wood
A lightweight wood that can be cut without the use of power tools if needed. 

Steps to Follow:

Step 1

Look

• Look - Student Work

• Over the semesters this assignment has had varied guidelines. However, all student work offers inspiration.

• There are over 32 posts with student work so be sure to look at them all. Go to this link:

• https://foundations3ddesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Experimental%20Sculpture%20Collection%20Student%20Examples

• Or you can search right column for Experimental Sculpture Collection Student Work. If on your phone and don't see right column, scroll to bottom and click on "web version".

• Look - Artist Inspiration
• The artists I collected for inspiration are not necessarily using the same materials as required for this project. However, their use of materials, formal use of elements and principles and/or ideas can most certainly provide inspiration. Be sure to look at all the posts. There are over 42 posts. Click on link below.
• https://foundations3ddesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Experimental%20Sculpture%20Collection%20Artists

• Or you can search right column for "Experimental Sculpture Collection Artist Inspiration". If on your phone and don't see right column, scroll to bottom and click on "web version".

• Look - Student Work in Plastic bin in 3D metal cabinet.
• The tangible visual examples are available for students to look at. I encourage students to spend time exploring the examples. All examples are located in a plastic bin, located in the 3D metal cabinet or on the rolling class shelves. Students are encouraged to examine these examples for inspiration. 

• Look - Ideas for how to use materials. 
• https://foundations3ddesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Experimental%20Sculpture%20Collection%20Material%20Ideas 

• Look - Review Elements and Principles

• https://foundations3ddesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Elements%20and%20Principles%20Visual%20Examples

Step 2

Three Different Artists

and

Experimental Sculpture Document in File Section in Canvas



• Three Different Artists:
• Refer to the first five blog posts you completed at the beginning of the semester. (Creativity I Admire, ART 21, Artist Inspiration, Elements and Principles).
• Look over the artists you selected. 
• Print out images of three different artists. If you can color print this is best option.
• For each artist image:
• Write three words that you think describe the work.
• Must have print outs to bring to class so we can share and develop ideas as a group.

• Experimental Sculpture Document in File Section in Canvas. 

• Print out document in file section of Canvas entitled "Experimental Sculpture Collection Checklist".

• Use this document to help you stay on track with the guidelines.

• And fill out document to turn in (hard copy) with your sculptures on due date.

Step 3

Innovation Center

Wood Shop

Demonstration of Skeleton/Skin.

• Innovation Center
• Located in the Student Center. 
• We will visit as a class for an overview of equipment. 
• Date of visit announced in class. 

• Wood Shop Introduction. 
• The wood shop located next to 3D studio. 
• Russell Maycumber, Wood shop Manager, will give a demonstration in the wood shop. 

• Demonstration of skeleton/skin process. 
• Students will follow along to make their own small sculpture using wire, tracing paper and modge podge. 
• Note: One of the three sculptures will include this process that counts as three materials. 

Step 4

Complete Three Experiments

• Complete Three Experiments and Bring to Class
• Utilize the materials listed above and/or processes listed above under "Innovative Processes".
• Experiments should demonstrate time and effort and risk taking.
• Focus on risk taking - not final solutions.
• The pieces should demonstrate exploration, not a finite idea.
• Think of these as small, 3D sketches.
• Size - about the size of your hand.
• 
  

Step 5

Discussion for Three Experiments

• In class we will discuss ideas present in each student's experiments.

Step 6

Explore Ideas for Final Solutions

• Start building final solutions with the intention of EXPLORING. 
• I suggest working on all three sculptures at the same time. 
• Don't make final decisions on one sculpture. The assignment is structured so students can reflect on how each sculpture can be developed for innovation. 
• Turn forms upside down, on their side - make sure to explore all possibilities. 
• Keep asking "WHAT IF...."

Step 7

Complete the hard copy document that lists information for each sculpture. 

• Print out document in File Section of Canvas, Experimental Sculpture Collection, Information for Each Sculpture. 
• Turn in document with your sculptures. 
• The document asks for the following information for each sculpture:
• The 3 - 4 materials used. Remember, cannot use the same 3 - 4 materials for all three sculptures. 
• The one or two colors used. No more than two colors. 
• At least three innovative processes from the list above. At least one for each sculpture. See list above entitled "Innovative Processes".

Evaluation Criteria: 

• Refer to the document in File Section in Canvas entitled "Evaluation Criteria". The document has the evaluation criteria for all assignments.

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. No late work for blog postings.