Project 9: It's a trap! Homework Due Jan 29th, Final Critique Feb 5th.

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. 

Schedule
Homework- Due Jan 29th

Your homework is to exercise the research and development stage of the creative process. You will do this by walking through the steps listed below. Here are the things you will need to bring to class on Jan 29th:

5 References w/descriptions
One-page typed document (printed out) with a list of 5 websites that you visited for your trap research. At least one of these websites must be an actual article (not a how-to, or list of pictures) that discusses some type of trap. (Remember, a trap can be physical and/or conceptual.) Examples of an appropriate article can be a newspaper story, something written for a journal/magazine, or something from Academia/industry). The one-page document must be printed out (no exceptions). It must include one-line brief descriptions for each website. This must be fully complete to receive credit for this portion.

3 Detailed Drawings of your trap design
The drawings must be on 9x12 bristol board (get it from Ms. Samimy). The drawing should show good use of the elements of design- line, form, color, texture, etc.  (Note: These are fully-resolved drawings, NOT sketches)

In addition, the drawings should be informative; they should give us helpful information. Please be sure your drawings answer the following questions:
1. How does the trap physically work? Show details of moving parts, trigger mechanism, etc.
2. What materials will be used? Be detailed and use color/texture/collage to show this.
3. What do these materials communicate? Descriptions/diagrams in the drawings should address this.
4. What concept are you engaging? Again, descriptions/diagrams could be helpful.
5. How is the form of your trap communicating? Scale, shape, text, etc.
6. What is the working title? This should be clearly labeled in your drawing.

Materials and project 50% complete
You must come prepared with all materials and tools to work. Project must be at least 50% complete.

Rubric for Homework
5 References = 10pts
3 Drawings = 30pts
Materials/Project = 60pts
--------------------------------
Total Possible  = 100pts

A =100 - 90
B = 89 - 80
C = 79 - 70
D = 69 - 60
F = 59 - 0 

Please be prepared at beginning of class with your own self-assessment based on the above rubric. 


Final Project Due Date

February 5th- Project Due/Critique

Researching traps

Here is a link to an animal trap website

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

Attention!!!! This is a trap!!! Please listen carefully:

To show us that you have read through the entire blog click this link and follow the directions...

Project 8: Soft Sculpture. Homework Due January 8th. Final Critique January 22nd.

Viola by N. M. 2014

Project Description

Like Claes Oldenberg, you will create a soft version of an everyday object that is normally hard. 

In addition to basic craft/fabrication skills, the conceptual idea we will be focusing on is: How shifts in scale and material can transform an object and our relationship to it. 

With this in mind, choose an object to recreate that has interesting overall shape, good detail, and lots of facets/contours. Choose an object that will present an interesting transformation when you shift the scale and material. Objects that work best tend to be hard (metal, plastic, wood), machine-made, and hand-sized. 

Please Note: No cell phones, game systems, dolls, or figurines. Generally, objects that are already soft, or commonly represented as toys are not as successful. Choose an object that will be interesting when you recreate it out of soft material.

Project requirements

Minimum size 3'x3'x3'
No glue!
Design and construction well-planned

Considerations

What will the scale be? What does that say? (Enlarged, Shrunk, or 1:1)
What are your material choices? (textures, patterns, prints, color, flexibility, etc)
How will it be filled/stuffed? (packing peanuts, feathers, fluff, etc)
How will you deal with surface details?  (You can finish the sculpture however you want, by adding things to the surface, using different materials, buttons, painting, etc.)

Schedule

WORK FOR THIS WEEK
Homework 
Due at beginning of class on Jan 8th for a grade. 

1. Collect materials you will use and bring them to class. You will need fabric (any kind, thick or thin, old or new), stuffing (old pillow, packing peanuts, crumpled newspaper, shredded paper), needles and thread.

2. Detailed drawings of the object you will create. Study and draw all sides of the object. Think about the planes and contours that make up the form. You must have detailed measurements of your object, and must determine the multiplier. For info on the multiplier, please refer to the cardboard project page.

Note: You need at least 6 drawings of your object. Front, Bottom, Sides, Top, Bottom. These should include detailed measurements.  Have the multiplier clearly labeled on your drawings. 

Jan 8th: In-class work day
Come prepared to work by bringing your object, detailed drawings, and materials to class (you will need your own sewing needles, pins, fabric, and thread). 


Note: Needles, pins, and thread can be purchased, or borrowed from family. Fabric can be recycled from old clothes, sheets, towels, etc. Please do not spend a lot of money on materials. Be resourceful. 

In-class Demonstrations: Basic hand-seeing and pattern-making. You will have the rest of the class to work. You will be graded on preparedness, time-management and class participation for this day.

Homework 
Due at beginning of class on Jan 15th for a grade

Work on project. When you return to class on Jan 15th, project must be at least ½ to ¾ done. Pattern should be complete and construction should be well under way. Grade will be assessed on progress at start of class: 1/2 done = B, 3/4 done =  A. Less than 1/2 complete = C, or less. 

Please send questions/concerns via email to Mr. K or Mr. L for feedback.

Jan 15th: In-class work day
Bring everything you need for working in class. You must be at least 1/2 way to 3/4 finished with your project.  

In-class Demonstrations: Adding text and fine details to your project.


Jan 22nd: Final Critique
Critique will begin promptly at beginning of class. Please prepare the room for critique as soon as you get to class. We will use a white backdrop for shooting, and set the tables up family-style. 

Rubric

The final project grade holds double weight and will be assessed on:
40% Craftsmanship- cutting, sewing, durability, and attention to detail. 
30% Concept/Creativity- transformation of your object due to material choices and scale.
30% Elements of Design- color, texture, line, form, value, etc. 

In addition to your final project grade, you will receive two process grades. Process grades will be assessed on:
Jan 8th: Six detailed sketches with measurements. Multiplier. Brought materials to work. 
Jan 15th: Project at least 1/2 to 3/4 complete. 

Research

See the following Claes Oldenburg Work for inspiration. Look for other artists who work with shifts in scale and material in their practice. Be prepared to talk about this in class. 























Upside Down City



Ice Bag



Surface and details on soft sculpture
Christian Holstadt "The Road to Hell is Paved (Best Buy)

The Road to Hell is Paved (Whole Foods)

Christian Holstad
Defined Thorough Deflation and Limits of Exposure

2004
 Mixed Media: Cashmere coat, tie, white shirt, leather glove, terry cloth, polyester, cotton, vintage millinery trimmings, vintage satin glove, champagne glass, men's suiting and vintage party dress
Dimensions variable

Description of Christian's work:
Two stuffed snakes, a dark male and his floral female mate, lay entwined on the gallery floor clutching a bouquet of microphones. This hand-sewn, soft sculpture, typical of Holstad's interest in traditional forms of craftsmanship, invites us to reconsider culturally prescribed notions of gender, domesticity, and high and low art.



Ideas for how to add detail to your soft sculpture:

IF YOU HAVE READ TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG, GOOD JOB! PLEASE EMAIL MR K & MR L. DO NOT SHARE WITH OTHER STUDENTS... THIS IS FOR A GRADE.