PROJECT: Rube Goldberg Device [Chain Reaction]- Due Friday, May 1st

Project Description

You will be making a kinetic sculpture out of a series of 5 chain reactions. The purpose of the sculpture will be to "automate" a simple task, and will be based on the drawings of Rube Goldberg.

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.

Understanding Your Creative Problem

Please keep in mind that this is an art project, not a science experiment, and each step should demonstrate a thoughtful and playful use of materials. Think of the way it looks- it's aesthetics. No fire, or other dangerous materials.

Your assignment will end up being a kinetic sculpture and should completes a simple task in at least 4 complicated steps. The task and materials you use are up to you. 

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the following criteria: functionality (does it work), inventiveness, creative use of materials, planning (drawing), and preparedness.

Due

May 1st. Final critique will be a demonstration of your working project. The classroom will be open during lunch for you to set up.

Examples

Student projects from 2009

http://newworldsculpture9.blogspot.com/2009/04/rube-goldberg-devices.html

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

Here's another chain reaction video

Here are some chain reaction ideas from a youtube

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

PROJECT: Alter-ego mask (show me your trash, and I will tell you who you are). Due April 24th

Project Description

Chris Scarborough, drawing of a mask

“Show me your trash, and I will tell you who you are.” 

Your challenge is to create a mask that describes an aspect of your personality that we as a class would normally not know. Like trash, which we cover in land fills, think of a characteristic/trait that is normally covered or hidden. The mask you create should reveal something new about you. 

You may only use materials intended for your trash can, or recycling bin. In other words, save the things you would normally discard... these will become your materials. 

 Requirements

• The mask must obscure most, if not all of your face. 

• NO ZORO or ANONYMOUS MASKS!

• Make sure that you can see out of the mask, allow for sufficient breathing

• Your mask/sculpture should be 75% made of trash. 

• Some element of the mask should extend at least 12 inches from your head.

• Think sculpture think volume.

• Remember be prepared,  you will be wearing your mask during critique, so make sure it stays on your head/face. without your hands holing it.

Evaluation

You will be graded on your effort as well as your creativity, thoughtfulness, technique, and skill in making the mask.

Due Date 

Project due April 24th at beginning of class. We will shoot photos during critique. There are no in-class work days, you will complete this project at home. 

Suggested Process

1. Gather Materials 

Begin by sourcing materials that you would normally throw away. Be sure to clean them. As you take an inventory of your garbage/recycling, think about how the materials can communicate just  by themselves. 

The primary materials you will use,  are discarded items from your home, things like: milk cartons, packaging, containers, broken household items, old clothes, etc. Use the stuff you normally throw away.  

Please clean and prepare your materials so they are not harmful to you, or cause a potential pest problem. Remember you will be wearing this sculpture on your head during critique.

Do not use any materials that will rot, ie. vegetables, or animal by-products. If you do choose to use food-stuff, make sure it is stable, and will not attract pests. An example of something that could be used if clean and stable would be well-washed egg shells.  

2. Make Sketches and play

Start making sketches, and trying out different building techniques. Experiment with different ways to create form and volume. 

3. Choose an idea to communicate

When you are thinking of ways to communicate your idea, try to find ways that will manifest your concept without illustrating it; don't be too literal. 

Try to stay away from easy recognizable pop culture memes, and do your best to make your “mask” not look like anything you've seen before. It will be helpful to think of this more as a wearable sculpture for your head. This is not a halloween mask. 

4. Construction

Approach the project in a way that makes sense to you, and use building-techniques you've learned from previous projects. Do your best to create volume with the materials you have selected.

All the same design concepts apply to these materials as they would with things you buy in an art store.

Use form, line, color, and context to communicate. The materials you use, and the way you put them together should be enough to communicate your concept. They should show us something new about who you are. 

5. Wearable

Finally, make it comfortable, and make sure it fits... you will wear the mask during critique.

Background information

A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes. They are usually worn on the face, although they may also be positioned for effect elsewhere on the wearer's body, so in parts of Australia giant totem masks cover the body, whilst Inuit women use finger masks during storytelling and dancing.[1]   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mask

Further Research

Please research masks from other cultures and time periods: Asian, African, American,  Latin American, European, Pacific Islander, Australian Aboriginal, etc, etc.

What did they look like? What materials and building techniques did they use? Why did they make them? How were they used?

 Here are a few links to some contemporary artists using trash,  or masks, in their work. Please feel free to share any other information or videos with all of us.  Use the comment section of the blog. 

Artists References 

Living Artists of Japan: The Face Behind the Mask - Noh Mask Maker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdFFwxw9mN8

Cindy Sherman: Mannequins & Masks | Art21 "Exclusive"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHVsXPoVbiE

Masks | "Exclusive" | Art21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB5ykyAAhtk

Paul McCarthy: "Piccadilly Circus" | Art21 "Exclusive"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76YkbsSiZk4

Mary Mattingly Owns Up | "New York Close Up" | Art21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gujH5oYmHcY

Brian Jungen 

Shin Murayama

Shin Murayama

Shin Murayama

Student Examples

Here are some student examples from the class of 2017 

Here are a few examples of some Masks from previous years. Note our project is somewhat different (they did not use trash) so only use the images to get your creative juices flowing.

PROJECT: It's a trap! Due April 17th (start of class)

Project Description

What does a trap do? It captures something. Think of a specific audience, and make a trap for that audience. Think about the following definitions:

Trap (verb)

1. (transitive) To physically capture, to catch in a trap or traps, or something like a trap. 

Entrap (verb)

1. (transitive) To catch something in a trap or snare.
2. (transitive) To lure someone, either into a dangerous situation, or into performing an illegal act.

Entrapment can be a physical, mental, relational, social, or logical thing. Answer the following questions, as you prepare to research for your design:

1. Who will you audience be (who do you want to trap)?

2. How will you choose to trap your audience?

3. What bait would be appropriate for that audience? Think of something enticing to them.

Optional: If your trap is physical, consider how your sculpture can have moving parts, and how it will function. Think back to your Hybrid sculptures, and look for objects in your everyday life that you can use as source material. You don't have to make everything. Some things can be modifications of existing things you already own (or find).

Specifications

Your sculpture must be smaller than 24"x24"x24". There is no limitation on materials, but it must be safe (no dangerous electricity, fire, sharp objects, etc).

Find materials from the world around you. Be resourceful- there are free materials everywhere. 

Use all the skills you have learned through the year, and build on these. Challenge yourself to think outside of the box... literally. 

Evaluation

You will be graded on creativity, originality, and concept and craft. You will also be graded on your process (time-management, and working through multiple ideas). 

Please note: You will need to take photos through your entire process. These will be submitted along with the final project. No project will receive an A without this documentation. Process is important. 

Lastly, your project must have a title, and you must think of how it will be displayed. Presentation is part of context, and context drives meaning. 

Due Date

April 17th- Project Due/Critique

Student Examples from the current Senior class can be viewed here.

Researching traps

Here is a link to an animal trap website

Here is a link to a funny page with different ideas of traps