Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Project 4: Soft-Sculpture. Due 11/22

Project Description


Like Claes Oldenberg, you will create a soft version of an everyday object that is normally hard. The transformation (via scale and materiality) of an everyday object changes our relationship to both the artist's version, and to the original.  With this in mind, choose an object that has interesting contours, and that will present an interesting transformation. 

Please Note: No cell phones or iPods, no dolls or characters.

Schedule

Homework for next week 11/1:
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.

Next week we will teach you how to sew by hand and also using machines. Come prepared to work.
You will have two in-class work days, and will be graded on preparedness, time management and class participation as well as the quality of your final project.

No Class on 11/8: 
Work on projects through the week, and send email to Mr. K or Mr. L for feedback.

Homework for next week 11/15:
Bring everything you need for working in class. You should be 1/3 to 1/2 way done. Today we will talk about adding the details to your project.

Critique date: 11/22

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.)

Last Year's projects
 2011's projects
2010's projects
2008's projects

See the following Claes Oldenburg Work for inspiration



















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:







Thursday, September 19, 2013

Project 2: Hybrid Sculpture- Final Crit. 9/27

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

You will change two objects of your choice into something new by creatively dismantling and recombining the pieces. You must reuse ALL of the material in your existing objects, and combine them into a single unified work. This is not a collage (objects attached to a flat surface). We want you to physically join the parts of these objects together and create a new 3-D object.

Important concept:  UNITY = a sense of order or completeness. 


SCHEDULE

Work Day- September 20th

Bring to class: two objects not bigger than 12" that you feel comfortable changing. Begin to disassemble your objects at home and bring ALL of the pieces to class. 
NO ELECTRONICS

Note: Any other supplies you would like to use while altering your object, such as glue, tape, sewing supplies, etc.


Project Due- SEPT 27th. 

Projects is due at beginning of class for critique. All projects must be ready for presentation at start of class. 



INSPIRATION

Look at the following artworks by these artists for inspiration.:

Robert Rauschenberg (images follow)


Jean Tinguely (images below)







Agathe Snow (images below)






Sara Sze (images below)







Hybrid Sculptures by Satish Tang (images below)





Hybrid sculptures of ancient Chinese ceramics, western pop icons, manga aesthetics and kitsch. TANG was born in Dublin, Ireland of Trinidadian parents, but currently lives & works in British Columbia, Canada.

Click here to go to the Tang's website

How do objects communicate meaning? How does meaning change when they are re-contextualized and merged into a single form?

Last year's projects
Previous year projects

No electronics. If you want to know why, watch this video.