Floating Sculpture (due April 8)

2010 projects

You will create a sculpture that floats on water. It must be no smaller than 12 inches and no bigger than 20 inches in any direction. You will choose the materials. Experiment at home to find materials that will float and not fall apart in water. You can use cardboard but you may want to paint, wax, wrap in plastic, ect. We will be testing your sculpture during the critique in a public fountain, so test your works at home in a tub, pool, sink. Your work will be evaluated as such.

1) Concept and planning. **NO boats**
2) Craftsmanship of the sculpture.
3) If it floats in water.

Due April 1: Next week bring to class at least three drawings of your idea, as well materials you will need. Be prepared to work on your sculpture in class. We will be talking to each of you in class and answering any questions.
Final Project Due Date: April8 The critique will be held at a fountain at Government Center.

Things that might float: Plastic bags filled with air, plastic containers with lids, apples, wood, etc.
If you make something out of cardboard, paper, or paper mache and coat it with something waterproof like paint or packing tape it might float.

Good Luck and have fun !!!!

Look at these links for inspiration:
Robert Smithsons's "Floating Island to Travel Around Manhattan".
Pocket Property by Andrea Zittel.
Ottero by Marta Pan.
Floating Aluminum Tree, in New York.

Rube Goldberg Device due March 25

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. You will have a month to make this project, and it should look like you spent a month on it.

March 4 Bring a detailed drawing and all materials to class for a work day.
March 11 Work in class.
March 18 Spring Break-complete project at home
March 25 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.

Watch Lauf der Dinge - Wie das Fass zum ueberlaufen gebracht wird ;) in Educational & How-To  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

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

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