Do Touch exhibition opens December 15

Span Strength (due Dec. 16)

Each of these bridges held 100 lbs!

Assignment
You will build a bridge using only foam core and white glue. Your bridge must span a 24" gap, be at least 6" tall and and 8" wide, and there must be a place where we can stack bags of clay that are 6" wide. Your goal is to build a bridge that can bear as much weight as possible. Consider strength and beauty when you design your bridge. Your projects will be strength tested during the critique, and the student whose bridge can hold the most weight will win a prize.

Dec. 2: You will be given 2 sheets of foam core in class. Work on your plan, figure out how to cut all of the pieces you need out of your foam core.
Dec. 9: Come to class with white glue and a sharp knife & your work-in-progress.
Dec. 16: Critique of bridge projects in class.

Here is an example from last year so you can see the setup during critique. The pieces of wood screwed to the side of the table extend down 1'.


'=foot
"=inch

Bridge Engineering

Your next project will be to construct a bridge that can hold as much weight as possible. We will have a contest during the crit to determine the winner. For your December 2 homework, research interesting bridge designs. Find out why bridges don't fall down. How many types of bridges are there, and what kinds are strongest? You will be given a small piece of foam core to take home. Make a model of a bridge spanning 6-8 inches using only the foam core and white glue, bring it to class on the 2nd. Also bring sketches and printouts to class to use as a reference for your next sculpture. Bring scissors, Xactos, etc.

Your constructions will be built out of foam core and white glue, which you'll be given in class on the 2nd.


Watch this Roy Coleman bridge design lecture

Model bridge design tips
http://www.garrettsbridges.com/category/design


This bridge is made of cardboard:


Here's an article about it: http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/08/07/shigeru-bans-cardboard-bridge

Master this Bridge Builder Game!
http://www.freeworldgroup.com/games8/gameindex/fwgbridge.htm

Transformation & Unity (crit Nov. 18)

Object Transformation and Unification
You will change two objects of your choice into something new by taking them apart and combining the pieces together. You must reuse ALL of the material in your existing objects, and combine them into a single unified work. This is not a collage (objects attached to a flat surface). We want you to physically join the parts of these objects together and create a new 3-D object.

What you are responsible for bringing in to class
November 4 two objects not bigger than 12" that you feel comfortable changing. You should begin to disassemble your objects at home and bring ALL of the pieces to class.
Any other supplies you would like to use while altering your object, such as glue, tape, sewing supplies, etc.
November 18 Finished project due. Critique day.

Important concept:  unity = a sense of order or completeness

Look at artworks by these artists for inspiration. 

Robert Rauschenberg

Sara Sze

No electronics. If you want to know why, watch this video.

Watch CBS Videos Online

OBJECTIFIED movie

Hybrid Sculptures by Satish Tang
Hybrid sculptures of ancient chinese ceramics, western pop icons, manga aesthetics and kitsch
TANG was born in Dublin, Ireland of Trinidadian parents, but currently lives & works in British Columbia, Canada.

How do objects communicate meaning?


Previous year projects