Casting

Priscila Cordero Hernandez

Using Unconventional Materials to Create Organic Forms

Materials-Estimated cost

Plastic Glove : 4-20 dollars (amazon)
Funnel : $1-3 (grocery store)
Rubber band/hair tie, string: $1 (grocery store, amazon)
A container with water - container $3 or recycled
A container with plaster - $8- $20 (amazon, home depot, craft store)
A small cup - $1 or recycled

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Add about 1/2 cool-room temperature water to a container

> Using the small cup, fill it up slowly with plaster

Make sure to sprinkle the plaster out evenly over the surface of the water.
There is no need to rush, but don't work too slow. We don't want the plaster to begin to set.

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Step 2

After you have created a small island and the surface of the water meaning is not disappearing right away.
Now you can stop adding plaster.
- Let it sit for 1-2 minutes to wet the plaster particles.
  - This reduces bubbles

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Step 3

Mix Mix Mix

You can either use your hand or a tongue depressor.
Make sure that you are mixing the plaster properly into the water.
This slowly wets all the particles.
Do a test to see if the plaster is ready to pour!
The plaster should be thick in consistency (almost similar to paint)

Step 4

Grab a funnel and a balloon
Attach the balloon into the funnel, carefully check that it is secure and that it won't fall out when pouring the plaster!

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Step 5

Pour slowly until you have filled the balloon from the funnel and tie right away.

Step 6

Let it sit for 1-2 minutes
Consistently check on the stiffness of the balloon
There will be a point where the plaster is hard, but still wet enough to easily manipulate the material.

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Part 7

Grab the rubber band and wrap it around the balloon.
If is not maintaining its place, then it suggests that the plaster is not hard enough to manipulate.

Part 8

Is the rubber band in place, secure and not moving?
Hang it on a rack or a place where the form wont be disturbed
make sure to hang it from the balloons lip.
Let it sit for 20 minutes.

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Part 9

This is the final product!
Now you can continue being creative and either make a single one, a few or a variety of them
Also, you can assemble them together or display them separately!

Developmental Rationale

Working with organic forms made of plaster allows students of all ages to experiment with the material itself and its process. The student will be able to expand their critical thinking and strategically find new ways to utilize unconventional materials and methods to create forms.

Pre-K - 5th: Students at this age are still in the process of developing their motor skills, as they are at the beginning of active metacognition. They are eager to learn and experiment with materials. (Kerlavage, 43-53)

6th - 8th: Students at this age are able to understand abstract concepts, process information, and strategies to improve performance. They are able to perceive/appreciate expression-style in art, attempt complicated compositions, and analyze/define their preferences. (Kerlavage, 54-58)

9th - 12th: Students in these grades don't longer require concrete info to engage in thought; they can solve problems and consider factors (cause and effect). They can also develop their own sense of investigation towards materials and processes and recognize media and technique. (Kerlavage, 58-63)

Artist Exemplars

Maria Bartuszova

"Untitled (Drop)", plaster, 1963-4

Niki de Saint Phalle

Orange Nana, plaster, 1972

Engaging Learners

What would the learners potentially discover? What would they explore?

The learners will discover that materials and techniques can be used in untraditional ways and present many possibilities in artmaking.
Students will be able to think outside the box for future projects

What could they create as a result of this exploration and discovery?

Students will be able to create organic forms, singular or in multitudes. Depending on their choice, they can join-assemble the organic forms together to build one sculpture or accumulate different forms to create an installation.

What else could they do with this experience and how would they build upon this learning?

Students will understand that they can investigate different materials and create their own techniques to develop their artwork's desired forms.
They will also learn the principles of space; as the plaster cures inside a negative space, it creates a form that takes a positive space. Also, consider and value the process.

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