3D Breadth Assignment #3 - Magical Layers

Magical Layers

Areas of focus: variety/unity, balance, rhythm, movement, repetition, space, expressive development

Goal: Use the material of your choice to create a representational sculpture that uses multiple layers to make up one object.

Process:

1. Idea development / research: Brainstorm subject matter. What type of representational art are you drawn to? Figurative? Illustration? Landscape? Within that genre, brainstorm ideas possible subjects. Once you have chosen a subject, think about the statement “the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts.” What does that mean? How might it relate to your chosen subject? Journal your ideas.

Questions to ask for the “Magic Mystery Sculpture”:

· Illustration / genre: How can I tell a story through sculpture?

· Figurative: How can I represent emotion through a figurative sculpture?

· Landscape: What natural or landscape elements speak to me?

· Still Life: Why am I drawn to certain inanimate objects?

Also ask yourself how the elements of art can be used to help tell your story:

· What type of shape/forms (open vs closed, angular vs freeform, etc)?

· What type of textures (rough, smooth, fuzzy, spiky, slick, crinkly, etc)?

· What type of line (straight, winding, curvy, zig-zag, tapered, wiry, etc)?

· What type of color (bright, muted, natural, artificial, cool, warm, etc)?

· How can you manipulate the elements to tell your story by using design principles like repetition, rhythm, movement, balance, scale, emphasis, variety/unity, contrast?

1. Brainstorm materials to use for your sculpture. Consider non-traditional materials like recycled materials, textiles (fabrics, thread, yarn), paper / cardboard, wire / metal, wood and found objects.
2. Create multiple sketches to work out the composition. Consider some of the different forms a 3-dimensional piece can take: freestanding sculpture, relief sculpture, assemblage, installation. What form would best tell your story? With 3-d work, always take into consideration the view from each angle.
3. Explore ways you can break up your subject matter into layers.
4. Determine the best way to work with your chosen materials. How can they be manipulated? How can they be affixed together? Do you need a support? How can you incorporate man-made materials, either as a support, or as a visually important part of the piece, in a thoughtful way?
5. Work with your teacher once your media has been decided to establish an appropriate working size for this assignment.