Blobject

I can create a pinch pot form using proper hand-building techniques.
I can attach two pieces of clay together securely, using score and slip
I can keep my ceramic forms hollow to ensure proper drying and firing.
I can create an appropriate air hole in my ceramic forms to prevent explosions during firing.
I can demonstrate effective use of art media and tools; in ceramics

Finishing

I can properly apply glaze to my sculpture after it is bisque fired; by applying 3 solid layers of glaze and keeping the bottom of my sculpture free of glaze.

TEKS:

2(A) I can use visual solutions to create original artworks by problem-solving through direct observation, original sources, experiences, narrations, and imagination.

2(C) I can demonstrate effective use of art media and tools in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, and digital art and media.

1(A) I can identify and use the elements of art, including line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value, as the fundamentals of art in personal artworks.

1(B) I can identify and apply the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity in personal artworks.

Inspiration Artist: Steen Ipsen

Danish artist Steen Ipsen creates freeform sculptures that combine repetitive organic shapes; though they appear streamlined and industrial, Steen’s sculptures are the product of laborious manual (by hand) craftsmanship.

Inspired by crystalline and mineral growth, and natural processes like cell division, Ipsen’s sculptures feature repeated shapes, such as spheres and ellipses, crafted with perfectionist levels of execution.

These shapes are then accented with strands of PVC, giving the works a sense of expanding, undulating motion.

His Website

More Inspiration Artists to Explore

The Design Principle of: MOVEMENT

Think about ways to create movement in your sculpture, through the placement/design of your spheres.

(Take a look at the link above and notes below, for more info about Movement)

'Principle of Design: Movement' Page

"Stillness" vs. "Movement"

Step 1: Planning

In your sketchbook, brainstorm several ideas for how you would like to construct your Blobject sculpture while creating a sense of movement in your design.

Use at least 5-7 spheres in your design. And keep in mind 3D composition and how the sculpture will appear from different angles.

Draw out at least three (3) designs you like that have movement and at least 5-7 main spheres.

Turn in this sketchbook planning on Google Classroom.

Look over your drawings and choose the idea that you think would work best for your Blobject sculpture.

Beginner Clay Practice Build

(If you need to go back for more detailed instructions)

Step 2: Pinch Pot Forms

Take a ball of wedged clay, and roll it in your hands to form a smooth sphere.
Gently press your thumb in the center of the sphere, but do not go all the way through.
Using your thumb and fingers, pinch and turn the clay, slowly shaping it into a bowl shape.
Keep the walls of the pot even in thickness and height.
Smooth out any surface bumps or imperfections.

Make another pinch pot that has roughly the same diameter as the first pinch pot you made.

Project is adapted from Mary Marcinko, and some of the photos/digital drawings are hers.

Step 3: Attaching Pinch Pots Together

Score and slip the rims of both your pinch pots.
Take the two pots and gently press the edges of the two pots together.
If there is a really large crevice (crack/dip) - a coil can be made and added to the joining line.
Smooth out the seam using your fingers or a modeling tool.

Step 4: Making Clay Spheres

After you have smoothed out the seam of your sphere, use a spatula, wooden spoon or ruler to gently paddle your ball into a symmetrical sphere.
The air that is trapped inside your sphere will support the form as you paddle.
As you paddle, continuously rotate the sphere in your hand.
Make all your spheres before attaching them together.

Storing Your Work!

Use a styrofoam tray to hold your sculpture while working on it.
To store your spheres, make a donut from a coil of clay and place the sphere on top of it.
This will prevent the sphere from flattening out on one side, and will prevent it from rolling away.
Wrap your project using a plastic bag so your spheres don’t dry out between classes.

Step 4: Attaching Clay Spheres To Each Other

When attaching clay spheres together, keep good construction in mind. Some angles are more structurally sound than others.
Score and slip the surface areas where the spheres will come together.
Gently press the two scored surfaces together.
Add a small coil all the way around the joint for extra support.
This is how you will join all of your spheres together to make your Blobject sculpture.

In Progress Student Examples

Step 5: Preventing Explosions

When air is trapped in clay, it can explode or break during the bisque fire inside the kiln.
To prevent our Blobjects from exploding, use a needle tool to poke a hole in each sphere while it is still in the leather hard stage.

Step 6: Surface Treatments

Once your sculpture is attached completely, the clay is close to leatherhard (firm but moist) and you have made sure that air can escape from each sphere (poke a hole in an out-of-view area) - Then it is time to think about the surface look of your sculpture!

Stamped Texture

- Use a tool, stamp or object to push into the clay and create texture

Additive Texture

Add small pieces of clay to create texture

Carved Designs

- Create designs (recognizable things, free handed/random, words etc...) by using a tool to carve out parts of the clay

Smooth (and cleaned up)

- Use a rubber rib to smooth out your spheres and clean up any ugly/visible score and slip work

Step 7: Plan out your glaze

- Take a look at the link to the right for the "Basics: Glazing" Page
- Look at the glaze options we have on the shelves and search them on google - some glazes look VERY different than what is in the bottle.

Basics: Ceramic Glaze

Glazed Student Examples

Advanced/Alternate Designs -

Deep Thinking Questions:

Technical Understanding:

• How does the pinch pot technique differ from other hand-building methods?

• Why is it important to keep ceramic forms hollow? What are the potential consequences if we don't?

• What is the purpose of scoring and slipping when joining clay pieces? How does this technique strengthen the overall structure?

Design Principles:

• Which principles of design are most evident in Steen Ipsen's work?

• How can we incorporate these design principles into our own sculptures while maintaining originality?

• How does the use of negative space contribute to the overall impact of Ipsen's sculptures?

Artistic Inspiration:

• What aspects of Steen Ipsen's work do you find most intriguing or inspiring?

• How does Ipsen's work challenge traditional notions of ceramic sculpture?

• In what ways can we draw inspiration from an artist without directly copying their style?

Creative Process:

• How do you plan to approach the design of your sculpture? What's your starting point?

• What challenges do you anticipate in creating your sculpture, and how might you overcome them?

• How might the limitations of the clay medium influence your design decisions?

Cultural and Historical Context:

• How does Steen Ipsen's work reflect or diverge from traditional ceramic art?

• Can you think of other artists or art movements that might have influenced Ipsen's style?

• How does contemporary ceramic art differ from historical examples we've studied?

Personal Expression:

• How do you plan to infuse your own artistic voice into this project while still drawing inspiration from Ipsen?

• What emotions or ideas do you want your sculpture to convey to viewers?

• How might your cultural background or personal experiences influence your approach to this project?

Practical Applications:

• How might the skills we're learning in this project be applied to other areas of art or even everyday life?

• Can you think of ways ceramic sculptures like these could be used functionally as well as decoratively?

Reflection and Evaluation:

• What criteria should we use to evaluate the success of our sculptures?

• How might peer feedback during the creation process help improve our final products?

• In what ways do you think this project will help you grow as an artist?

Next year - do some gesture/observation drawing of action, to help understand Movement.

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