Friday, February 22, 2013

Rube Goldberg Device (NEW DUE DATE April 5)

Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist best known for his illustrations depicting machines he designed to complete simple tasks in overly complicated and humorous ways. His cartoons have inspired millions of projects.













Your assignment is to create a sculpture inspired by Rube Goldberg that completes a simple task in at least 7 complicated steps. The task and materials you use are up to you. This is an art project not a science experiment, each step should demonstrate a thoughtful and playful use of materials. No fire.

You will receive two grades for this project, one for preparedness (including planning drawing and working in class) and one for your final project. You will be evaluated on the following criteria: functionality (does it work), inventiveness, creative use of materials, planning (drawing), and preparedness.

March 1 Group drawing day. Come with sketches and and all sample materials.
March 8 Work in class.
March 15 **NEW DUE DATE APRIL 5 Final critique will be a demonstration of your working project. The classroom will be open during lunch for you to set up.

This chain reaction sculpture/video is called The Way Things Go and was made by Swiss artists Fischli and Weiss.
http://vimeo.com/4581265

Pee Wee Herman's Breakfast Machine


Myth Busters Christmas Machine


Honda Commercial


OK Go Music Video


Japanese Rube Goldberg TV Gameshow


More Rube Goldberg devices
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=rube+goldberg&aq=f

Previous Year's projects
http://newworldsculpture9.blogspot.com/2009/04/rube-goldberg-devices.html

Friday, February 8, 2013

Alter-ego Mask (crit Feb. 22)

Think of an aspect of your personality that the world doesn't normally see. Your challenge is to create a mask (think of it as a sculpture for your head) that represents that concept without illustrating it. This “mask” shouldn't look like anything you've seen before; approach the project in any way that makes sense to you. The materials are up to you. Let the forms, lines, colors and materials you use speak about your concept. You will wear the mask during critique on Feb. 22.

Requirements
• The mask must obscure most, if not all of your face. 
NO STORE-BOUGHT MASKS. This is not a Halloween mask.
• Some element of the mask should extend at least 12 inches from your head.
• Think about how you will wear it and don’t be afraid to get your shoulders and upper body involved as part of the mask, or as a way to wear it.
• You will be graded on your effort as well as your creativity, thoughtfulness, technique, and skill in making the mask.

You will have one in-class studio day to work on the project,  on Feb. 15. Critique will be on Feb. 22.


Pencil Mask by Rebecca Horn
http://www.mediaartnet.org/works/bleistiftmaske/




Native Alaskan Inuit mask


Susan Cole, Member of the (Medicine) Cabinet, Mixed Media

Yup'ik culture from Western Alaska, early 20th century
The mask here, one of a pair, represents "Negakfok," meaning the north wind or, more eloquently, the spirit that likes cold and stormy weather. Its white spots are said to represent snow flakes, and the many wood danglers clattered when moved giving a voice to the spirit of the north wind.

http://www.glenbow.org/collections/museum/native/inuit.cfm


a Soundsuit by Nick Cave
http://badatsports.com/2008/nick-caves-soundsuits/


Masks from Burkina Faso, Central Africa.  Mossi mask, wan liuli, Ouagadougou style, photo 1976


Mossi masks at a year-end anceatral celebration in the village of Zeguedeguin, far eastern Mossi area, 1977. The red, or male, masks.

2011 Projects

2009 projects 2010 projects

2010 projects
http://newworldsculpture9.blogspot.com/2009/10/alter-ego-mask-due-nov-6.html