Intermediate Sculpture- Studio I

Instructor: Nao Matsumoto

 

This Course will focus on the technical and practical factors surrounding the process of sculpture making.  Prerequisite for this class is Intro Sculpture.   You will be required to produce 3 sculptures throughout the semester.  Each project will be focused around a specific material (Wood, Steel, Plastics). Please remember that this class is about learning the standard procedures on operating industrial machinery.  Safe and proper shop behavior will be enforced and techniques in manipulating the materials will be covered.

 

Lectures: The lectures will be presented each week with a variety of visual materials including a power-point presentation and videos.  Please take notes at all times and assigned viewing of selected materials and readings will be on reserve at the Library or will be e-mailed to each student. 

Keeping up with such visual and literary materials is very important in this class. Be prepared to contribute to the discussions during class.  Participation and enthusiasm will also be part of the grade.

 

Demonstrations:  Sculpture making involves a variety of procedures involving a wide array of materials and techniques.  Understand that these demonstrations are very important to attend.  It is crucial on many levels.  Obviously it will be detrimental to your grade if you miss a demo.  Also you might be missing vital information on safety in operating machinery and other equipment.   All students must abide by the Sculpture studio rules and regulations.

Studio Hours:  It is an integral part of learning sculptural art in the studio.  Practical knowledge and hands on practices greatly influence your development as a sculptor.  Not only the technical aspects but also the philosophical aspects of your aesthetics are influenced greatly in the studio.  Please understand that as an instructor, I need to witness your progress and direct you to issues surrounding your work. 

 

AT ALL TIMES:  SAFETY COMES FIRST!!

 

Please note that I will be emailing materials to you often.  It is very important for you to be checking your email for updates, reading materials etc. 

 

Grading

Your grades will be rendered from the overall quality of the projects and assignments, participation in critiques and discussions, enthusiasm and tardiness.

Missing classes will result in a drastic grade deficit.  Missing more than 4 classes is considered a failure. 

 

Good Luck and enjoy!

 

 

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

 

Please see Shop Certification  & Attendance Requirements above with regard to immediate failure.

Grades will be determined primarily by the instructor’s evaluation of: enthusiasm, finish quality and the creative capacities of fabrication methods.

The final grade will be based on:

75 %             successful completion and final quality of all assignments

25 %             efficient use of in-class workshops

25%            Attendance, including prompt arrival and sustained attention during demonstrations

 

Grades:                                               

A 4.0            Excellent                                   

A- 3.7             Very Good                                               

B+ 3.3             Good           

B 3.0             Above Average                       

B- 2.7   Above Average

C+ 2.3             Fair

C 2.0    Fair

C-             (ug only) 1.7 Recorded as F for Graduate Students, Accepted for Undergraduates Only

D+             (ug only) 1.3 Recorded as F for Graduate Students, Accepted for Undergraduates Only

D            (ug only) 1.0 Recorded as F for Graduate Students, Accepted for Undergraduates Only

F 0.0             Failure

 

 

Course Schedule

 

Week 1

Group meeting and introduction to the course.

Defining  “My Philosophy on Art.” 

Assignment : Bring sketches and your portfolio to individual discussions on your projects, goals and directions.

Lecture: Form, Material and Concept

 

Week 2

Wood as a Medium:

Material Overview : Wood

Demonstration:  Operating Woodworking Machinery and manipulating wood.

Exercise: Cutting  - Bandsaw, Table Saw, Scroll Say , Miter Saw

Demonstration: Attaching – Glues , Nails, Screws etc.

Assignment: Cut forms out of plywood and attach them together to render a 3-D composition.

Reading: Tage Frid Teaches Wood Working

Artists: Brancusi,  Ursula Von Rydingsvard,  Richard Deacon,  Martin Puryear , Ricky Swallow, etc.

 

Week 3

Demo: Router Table , Sander Handheld woodworking tools

Studio Instruction: Continue wood assignment

 

Week 4

Studio Instruction: Continue Wood Project

 

Week 5

Wood Project Due

Group Critique

 

Week 6

Demonstration:  Metal Working – Cutting & Welding Steel

Material Overview : Steel

Cutting: Stationary Machines: Abrasive saw, Horizontal bandsaw, Vertical bandsaw Shear

Hand Held Tools : Grinders, , jigsaw, nibblers, shears

Flame:  Oxy Acetaline , Plasma

Welding: Oxy Acetaline, Mig Welding, Tig Welding

Assignment: Cut Variety of forms out of steel using all tools.

Weld the forms together to compose a 3-D composition

Assignment: Look at works by David Smith, Richard Serra,  Anthony Caro,  Richard Stankiewicz, Anish Kapoor, etc.

 

Week 7

Studio Instruction: Continue Metal project

 

Week 8

Studio Instruction : Continue Metal Work

 

Week 9

Metal Project due.

Groupe Critique

 

Week 10

Lecture :  Plastics- the New Frontiers of Synthetic Materials

Overview of materials.- Resins – Epoxy , Urethanes, Polyester

Demonstration:  Acrylic fabrication

Assignment : Cut and weld Acrylics to compose a 3-D Form

 

Week 11

Mold Making – Its Potential and Applications

Material Overview:  Silicone rubber

Lecture: Different types of molds and techniques.

Demonstration:  Mold Making

Variations: Open face , Brush –on, Jacket Mold

 

Week 12

Continue with the mold making project

Assignment:  Complete open face mold and brush-on

 

Week 13

Demo:  Fiberglass and Resin – Lamination and hollow composite structures

Continue with Moldmaking project

 

Week 14

Studio Instruction: Continue with mold making and casting projects

 

Week 15

Final Group Critique

Studio Clean Out