Meas Sokhorn was born in 1977 and is a sculptor from Cambodia. He graduated from the Royal University of Fine Arts in 2004. Meas began his sculpting career creating curvy, balanced forms using materials such as rattan and bamboo. He was inspired to create sculpture from found objects when the movement of air from passing vehicles in unruly traffic carried dust and a filthy plastic bag to him while he was sitting at a cafe. Meas wanted to send a message that would change the behavior of people who ignore traffic laws and to those who leave trash behind. Meas created his work from the found objects that he collected from city streets including wire, chopsticks, kindling, and other discarded items. He named the exhibit that he created Trash Fix with the intention of helping people to realize that their decisions impact future generations and that rubbish is transitory and does not stay in one place but affects many things through the spreading of disease, terrible smell, and the way it makes everyone feel to see it. Meas Sokhorn leaves the items that he collects unwashed to have an impact on the people viewing his work. The work is intended to have a positive impact on the behavior and attitudes of people.

Artist: Meas Sokhorn

Movement(s): Sculpture, collage, found objects, wire, duct tape, paper, and pencils

Supplies needed:

Pencil, paper, found objects, wire, tape

Learning Objectives:

• Students will learn how they can create something new from objects that already have an intended purpose.

• Students will learn how sculptures can be used to send a strong message.

• Students will create a 3D sculpture from a 2D concept.

• Students will experience the creation of sculpting collaboratively.

• Students will collaboratively revise the creation of the sculpture in the process of creating it.

Essential Questions:

• How can an object with a specific purpose be transformed into something new?

• How can a concept on paper be made into a 3D object?

• Why do people create sculptures?

• Can a piece of art change the behavior of others?

Hook:

Students will brainstorm a list of found objects as a group and determine what they can collaboratively gather to assemble as a class sculpture.

Description:

Students will collect discarded objects from inside or outside of their home to bring into class. The class will learn about Meas Sokhorn and analyze examples of his artwork. The class will brainstorm as a group how they can decide on the intention and form of the sculpture and what contributions each individual will make. The class will determine the process, for example, one student adding one part at a time or groups of students creating sections of the sculpture together and then attaching them to the work of other groups. Once materials have been assembled, the class will begin the process that has been determined. Revisions will be made as the group encounters and works through challenges.

Sequence:

Day 1: Students will collect discarded objects from inside or outside of their home to

bring into class. Intro to Meas Sokhorn, analysis of work,

intention and process of sculpture, opportunity to sketch

Day 2: The class will decide as a collective through voting what the attention of form of the sculpture will be. Collected materials will be distributed into groups or to individuals as decided by the class. The base of the sculpture will be completed. Students will begin the process of assembly. Students will determine what is left to complete and what should be prepared for the next class.

Day 3: The class will continue adding to and revising the sculpture until complete.

Day 4: The class will analyze the sculpture. Students will have an opportunity to sketch what they would like to sculpt if they had access to all the same materials and had to create something as an individual artist.

Vocabulary:

Sokhorn Meas: A Cambodian sculptor who uses found materials to create smooth, curving sculptures that give those found objects new purpose in a way that opens the mind of viewers

Found Objects: Objects that are repurposed from their original use to create something new with new purpose

Sculpture: A 3D artform with volume (amount of space) and mass (amount of matter) intended to be viewed from all sides