Combine (Wall Piece) crit Feb. 11

THERE IS NO IN-CLASS WORK DAY FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU WILL HAVE 2 WEEKS TO COMPLETE IT AT HOME.

For the next assignment you will make a sculpture to be exhibited on the black wall in the critique area. Your sculpture will hang on the black critique wall, we can put screws into the wall at whatever height you need during the critique. Like Rauschenberg, you will use both found objects and traditional art supplies. Your sculpture can be abstract or representational, and the materials are up to you. The sculpture must be at least 4' in one direction. See if you can find humor, parody or word play in the way you put your piece together.

Schedule
January 28 in class: Introduction to Robert Rauschenberg's Combine artworks
Homework: Gather materials for your sculpture, begin working at home
Feb. 4 in class: We will take a field trip to MAM to see some of Rauschenberg's work in person, and then continue to the library for an introduction to the Fine Arts books.
Feb. 4 homework: Finish your project at home.
Feb. 11: Critique

All About Rauschenberg

Biography
At Black Mountain College
Combines
Review of 1998 exhibition
Review of 2004 exhibition
Review of 2005 exhibition
Obituary
More Images of Rauschenberg's work

Black Mountain College project

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Span Strength due January 28

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 18" gap, be at least 6" wide, and there must be a place where we can stack bags of clay. 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.

Jan. 14: You will be given foam core in class. Come to class with white glue and a sharp knife.
Jan. 28: 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

Learn about 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 January 14 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 14th. 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 14th.


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