ART 291 Beginning Sculpture

Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Introduces the basic materials, processes and concepts fundamental to sculpture. Develops skills through hands-on, concept-driven projects that explore three-dimensional form and its potential for personal expression. Examines both historic and contemporary sculpture through lectures and readings. Learn mold making, casting, carving, construction, and assemblage. Materials include sculpture clay, plaster, wood, found objects, everyday materials and mixed media. Apply principles of design and practice critical analysis of work through written and oral critiques. Encourages creative risk taking and mindfulness of sustainability issues.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher); ART 115 (or higher), except for ART 201 through ART 207; or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe the physical and intrinsic characteristics of various sculptural materials.
Demonstrate a range of effective strategies for inventive form design and develop alternative solutions to any given sculpture problem.
Use basic sculptural techniques to create sculpture through elementary additive, subtractive, and substitution processes.
Conceive and introduce content/meaning development through effective ideation strategies.
Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of class work and compare work to historic and contemporary examples of sculpture.
Work individually and cooperatively to produce sculpture within the classroom, demonstrating strong initiative and an effective and sustained work ethic.
Follow safety and sustainability guidelines in completing and presenting sculptural artwork.
Use appropriate terminology to distinguish between successful and unsuccessful craftsmanship and design strategies in written and oral critiques and apply terminology in project proposals..

Additional Statewide General Education Outcomes

Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Content Outline

History of Sculpture
- Diversity of ancient, modern and contemporary sculptures
- Roles of sculpture in society
- The diversity of sculptural materials available
Studio Practices
- Access, use, and upkeep of studio
- Proper and safe handling of materials
- Use of equipment
- Effective use of class time and open lab sessions
Sculptural Applications, Processes, and Materials
- Applications and formats
  - Surface relief
  - Free standing
  - Kinetic and interactive
  - Installation and time based
- Processes and materials available
  - Additive
    - Clay or plasticine
    - Wood
    - Found objects
  - Subtractive
    - Plaster
    - Wood
    - Styrofoam
  - Substitutive and simple use of molds
    - Paper pulp
    - Plaster
    - Clay
Design Methods and Approaches
- Introduction to design process and ideation
  - Define - clarification of goals, restrictions
  - Brainstorm - discovery
  - Analyze - testing the brainstorm designs
  - Revise - modification to clarify or simplify the design
  - Refine - execution of finished work
- Form and function
  - Economy of design
  - Integrity of materials
  - Integrity of surface/use of texture
- Design considerations
  - Plane
  - Mass
  - Space
  - Introduction to other elements of design (texture, space, scale, etc.)
  - Introduction to principles of design (unity, balance, repetition, etc.)
- Introduction to content and personal expression
  - Abstraction versus representation
  - Using metaphor and symbol
  - Using historical and contemporary examples
  - Style as personal expression
Sustainability
- Sustainability practices in use of media
- Sustainability practices in disposal of media
Assessment
- Oral critiques of in-process and finished works
  - In groups with instructor
  - Peer to peer
  - Individual critiques with instructor
  - Formal analysis of selected examples
- Written critiques of in progress and finished works
  - Peer evaluations
  - Self-evaluation
  - Formal analysis of selected examples, contemporary and historic
Presentation
- Integrating presentation issues with design
- Mounting, hanging, use of pedestals
- Digital Documentation of class projects