Lesson 28: Found-Objects Construction

Objective: To design and create an original construction using found-objects.

Vocabulary:

construction - A type of sculpture that is made of parts joined together. It can be made from a variety of materials or from one kind of material.

found-object - A common or everyday object used in new ways as part of an artwork. Found objects are often used in assemblages and can be natural or manufactured.

medium or media - the different consumable materials or supplies that an artist uses to create an artwork.

tool - A device that helps to complete a task.

variety - A design principle used to add interest to an artwork by using many different objects and art elements (line, shape, color, form, etc...).

Luminous Zag: Night by Louise Nevelson1971, painted boxes120" x 193" x 10.75"Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, NY, USA

Constructions

Luminous Zag: Night by Louise Nevelson is an example of a construction. A construction is a type of sculpture that is made by joining different pieces. It can be made from from a variety of materials or from one kind of material. The construction, Luminous Zag: Night was made from one kind of material, wood. The artist stacked wooden boxes together to form a wall. She arranged other wooden objects, such as chair and railings, inside the boxes. Where do you see variety Luminous Zag: Night? How did this artist create unity?

Piano Piece by Nam June Paik1993, closed-circuit video sculpture120" x 84" x 48"Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY, USA

Assemblages and Found-Objects
An assemblage is a type of construction that is made up of a variety of materials. Sometimes assemblage artist use found objects in their artworks. Found-objects are things that an artist has found, rather than created. They include common items that have specific purposes. It is usually easy it identify found-objects in an assemblage because the artist has not changed them.
Look at Piano Piece by Nam June Paik. What found objects did the artist use in this artwork? He created unity by using materials associated with entertainment. How did he add variety.

Celestial Navigation by Joseph Cornellabout 1950-1959, mixed-media shadowbox9.5" x 16.25" x 4"Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, USA

Look at Celestial Navigation by Joseph Cornell. What found-objects do you see in this assemblage? How did the artist add variety? How did he use color and shape to give this artwork unity?

Think Critically - Tell what you learned.

Studio Time: Found-Objects Construction

Materials:

Found-Objects (yarn, paperclips, rubber bands, etc...), Shoe Box Lids, Glue, Tempera Paints, Paintbrushes, Water Bowls

Plan

Gather some found objects to put together in a construction. Think of ways to add variety to your artwork.
Check list:
- Create a construction with found-objects.
- Use art elements to create unity and variety.

Create

Use the shoe box lid as the base for your construction.
Experiment with different arrangements of your found objects on your base.

3. Glue the objects to the base in the arrangement you like best.
4. Paint some or all of the objects in your construction. You may also paint the base.

Reflect - Tell about your work.

Photograph and Submit your work on Google Classroom.

Photograph sketches as well as completed artwork.
"Add" (attach) to Google Classroom assignment.
"Mark as done" to submit your work for a grade.

Challenge: 3D Construction Paper Abstract

Create an 3D abstract with construction paper using a variety of construction techniques.

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