Artwork #7: Cardboard Sculptures

SAFETY QUIZ

Overview

Goal

Students will design and construct a cardboard sculpture inspired by an animal (realistic or imaginative), object (e.g., piano, guitar, lamp, shoe, plant, anatomical heart), or vehicle (e.g., car, plane, boat, spaceship). The process will begin with sketching detailed front, side, and back views of their design. Students will then measure, cut, and assemble their sculpture using cardboard and glue. Finally, they may choose to paint their sculpture to add color, although this step is optional.

Step 1: What is 3D?

3D (three-dimensional) refers to objects or spaces possessing length, width, and depth (or height), allowing them to occupy physical space.

Unlike 2D shapes that are flat, 3D shapes can be held, touched, and measured for volume and surface area.

Examples include cubes, spheres, and the physical world itself.

Step 2: Look at 3D Artists

Josh Gluckstein

Dag Weiser

Alex Uribe

Joseph DeLappe

James Grashow

Mike Leavitt

Chris Gilmour

Ann Serrano

Tom Sachs

Step 3: Cutting Tools

Cutting Tools

ALL OF THESE MATERIALS CAN CUT YOU!

X-Acto Blade

Used for cutting smaller detailed pieces out of paper.

Utility Knife

Used for cutting cardboard.

Cardboard Cutters

Used for sawing into cardboard.

Paper Cutter

Used for cutting straight lines into paper or cardboard.

Scissors

Best for cutting smaller pieces of cardboard or round shapes!

Cutting Mat

Used when cutting with an x-acto blade or utility knife

Hot Glue Guns

Takes 5 minutes to heat up

*Never touch the glue when its wet and you must use a paper placemat

Hot Glue Gloves

Used to protect yourself from burns

Popsicle sticks

Used for spreading around hot glue

Possible Materials

Cardboard

Pipe Cleaners

Toilet Paper Rolls & Paper Towel Tubes

Wooden Pieces

Wire

Bottle Caps

Acrylic or Spray Paint

String

Attachment Techniques

Directions: Look over the techniques below or check out the poster hanging in the sculpture center. These are the different ways that you can connect cardboard.

Safety Information

Step 4: Fill in the Blanks

You must be AWARE of your body, your tools, and other students at all times when using cutting tools.
You should draw your shapes onto the cardboard BEFORE cutting.
Draw and cut from the edges of the cardboard, and not the CENTER.
You must never cut TOWARDS YOURSELF or your hand.
When using an x-acto blade or utility knife, you must always cut on top of a CUTTING MAT to protect the table.
If using the paper cutter, you must never cut MORE THAN ONE piece of cardboard at a time.
When in doubt, it is safer to use SCISSORS when cutting circular shapes.
Use a POPSICLE STICK to help you spread out the glue.
Do not leave the blade IN THE AIR when you are finished with the paper cutter.
Hot glue guns take 5 MINUTES to heat up.
You should never glue on top of a CUTTING MAT. You should use a PLACEMAT.
When putting away a hot glue gun you should: unplug it, let it cool down and wrap the cord around the HANDLE.
When finished with the electric zip snips, you need to PLUG IT IN.
The PAPER CUTTER is the easiest for cutting a lot of straight lines out of cardboard.

NOW, TAKE THE SAFETY QUIZ

How to Start

Sketching: Referencing the HOW TO MAKE A CARDBOARD SCULPTURE FORM BELOW, begin sketching your idea. Sketch at least 2 views (front, side, back, top) and plan your piece in separate parts with quantities (#’s) of each shape and/ or dimensions (sizes in inches). Label the materials you plan to use.

How to Make a Cardboard Sculpture.pdf

Directions:

Gather your materials. You can find them in the cardboard pile or in any sculpture or collage cabinet.
- Store them in a bag or neat pile in the storage closet when they aren't needed.
Draw your shapes onto the cardboard using rulers and stencils when necessary.
- Large rulers are located by the window.
Start by safely cutting one piece at a time. Be sure to use the right tool for the right job.
- MAKE SURE TO USE A CUTTING MAT!
- Start with your base or larger shapes.
Plug in a got glue gun 5 minutes before you need it. Make sure to use a placemat.
- MUST WEAR GLOVES!
- Use popsicle sticks to spread the wet glue around.

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