Introduction to Sculpture  

Instructor: Nao Matsumoto 

 

Overview

This Course is an introductory class to the basics of the study of sculpture with an slight emphasis on the human figure.  The classes will consist of Lectures, Demonstrations and Studio Hour accompanied with several assignments throughout the semester.

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. 

There will be three or four studio assignments due during the semester.  Additional to the studio projects, I will be asking you to write 2~3 papers (one page) on various topics surrounding the art of sculpture making.  There will be no exams. 

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

-Introduction to the Course

-Understanding three dimensionality

-Point – Line - Plane – Poly surface – Nurbs

-Geometric forms  vs Organic forms

-Representing form – The sculptural approach

-Crucial elements:  Form – Scale – Material

 

Reading: “Flatlands  - A Romance of Many Dimensions”   Edwin A. Abbott

Video: “Powers of 10”  Ray and Charles Eames

Artist: Fred Sandbag , Gabriel Dawe , Lisa Rodden , Peter Callesen

Image: Temari

 

Assignment : Make a three dimensional composition by using

1)Thread – combine lines to create depth

2) Paper – Cut and fold paper to create depth and mass

 

Week 2

-Lecture: The human head and face : Proportions and symmetry and anatomy

-Assignment:  Portrait modeling

-Focus:  To sculpt a portrait of the human head/face card board

-Overview: Corrugated Cardboard as an art making material

Artist:   Chris Gilmour , Mark Langan , Scott Fife, Tomoko Shioyasu

 

Week 3

Critique on Thread / Paper assignment

Studio instruction

Lecture : Emotion, Expression and Gestures

Reading: “Man Watching” Desmond Morris

Video:  Body Language – Desmond Morris

Video:  History Channel Secrets of the Body Language

Assignment : Add a hand gesture to enhance emotion of your portrait

 

Week 4

Studio Instruction – Continue with head portrait

Class discussion during studio time

Artist:  Constantin Brancusi , Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, Alberto Giacometti

 

 

Week 5

Cardboard Portrait due

Critique

 

Lecture : Basic anatomy of Organisms – Species and Form

Demo: Preparing for clay modelling– Armature construction

Research : Basic Anatomy , Anatomy in Art, Morphology

 

Assignment: Choose a naturally occuuring form, collect images or actual objects from nature to sculpt a form out of clay

 

Week 6

Studio Instruction

Continue work with Clay Modeling

 

Week 7

Clay Modelling due

Group Critique

 

Lecture: Soft vs Hard , Liquid to Solid , transforming of materials

Experimentation with plaster

Demonstration : Manipulating plaster

Assignment: Fill balloons with plaster to create a series of soft forms.

• Cast a Plaster Block for Carving

Video: Carving Plaster pt 1 & 2

Artist: Jean Arp , Barbara Hepworth,  John Newman

 

 

Week 8

Studio Instruction

Manipulating plaster forms

Focus: Subtractive vs Additive forming / Negative and Positive Space/ Abstraction

Artist: Sol Lewitt , Micheal Heiser, Rachel Whiteread

 

Week 9

Studio Instruction

Continue carving plaster forms

Class discussion during studio hours

 

Week 10

Plaster forms due

Group Critique

Studio Instruction:

Experimentation with Alginate – Life Casting

Demo – Hand Casting , Face casting

 

Assignment: Using alginate, compose a sculpture with castings made out of plaster.

It can be castings of various forms

 

Week 11

Studio Instruction –Continue body casting

 

Week 12

Assignment : Direct build: Renderings made directly with available materials

Take a life cast which you performed using Alginate and render a form using your life casting as a study.

Build a form directly using wood supports, chicken wire, plaster , burlap and plaster gauze.

It is encouraged to drastically change the scale and also add abstraction. The goal is not to replicate accurately. Incorporate other elements such as emotion into the rendering.

Artist: Maurizio Cattelan , Patricia Piccinini, Ron Mueck, A J Fosik

 

Week 13

Studio Instruction

Lecture: The Ever Changing Figure : From Barbie to Usain Bolt - Thoughts on Plastic Surgery, Doping and Body Modifications

Research : Judy Fox , Marc Quinn , Dinos & Jake Chapman, Li Hongjun

 

Week 14

Studio Instruction

 

Week 15

Final Group Critique &  Studio clean out