Exquisite Corpse: Artifacts

hildesheim_corpse2010_72Exquisite corpse or Cadavre exquis is traditionally a drawing technique where a bank of words or images are collected, and assembled to create a finished composition.  This project explores this surrealist idea in an assemblage of components to create an “Exquisite corpse” sculptural artifact.

Mission: (Project Description)

 In this project, the student is asked to create five artifacts from the inventory of objects created from previous mold-making assignments. Students are allowed to melt, cut, deconstruct, and transform existing objects and reassemble them into unique sculptural forms/figures. The final form may be prepared as if to be cast in metal using the gating method for the traditional investment lost wax method. Other materials may be added. Attention should be given to how additional materials are fastened to the wax objects. Note whether objects will remain as original material or be cast pin metal.

Project Gallery

Welding Line-Form-Repetition

Ward_72Mission: (Project Description)

Create a sculptural form/structure that develops from the linear quality of welded, and fabricated metal. The final form should have a sense of variety and repetition of elements. Add a skin to some or all components of the structure. Develop an aesthetic in the connection of skin to form.

It is expected that a concept be developed that will draw the viewer into a transformed space. A linear form should be the initial aesthetic, creating a structure that defines a new space. Lines, shapes, and forms may be curved or straight, yet the artist’s intent must be obvious and well-crafted.

Project Gallery

Body Art: Plaster Casting and Mixed Media

200749_1864338923490_5872866_n

Prologue:

The human body and its components allow us to understand facets of identity such as gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity. Slight gestures can represent emotion, mood, and intent. Subtle and extreme alterations of the body, such as hair, skin, and clothing can suggest alignment with or rebellion against social conventions and to express ideas to others. Many artists explore visual expression through representations of the body and by using their bodies in their creative process. The poetry of bringing objects together to suggest or make strong statements can sometimes be elusive. Not only does one need the right objects to build a dialogue, but a keen observation of craft is important in developing a poetic voice that does not distract the artist’s intent.

Mission: (Project Description)

Create a sculptural form using elements from the human body and at minimum one other form. A cast component, plaster, or other material, of the body, will be a basis for their research. Other materials are not only encouraged but also expected in the final solution.

Project Examples:

Mold Making: Encapsulated Rubber Molds

ES_long72

Mission: (Project Description)

In this project, the student will be introduced to “Encapsulated Mold-making”. Rubber will be used as an interior jacket to collect surface and surface detail. A plaster exterior mother mold will be used to establish a structure for the flexible mold. Rubber is an elastic material that can pick up very minute detail. Its flexible quality allows it to be pulled and stretched to cast challenging objects that can not be cast from a more rigid material. The mold material can be used numerous times with many different materials, respectively.

Project Gallery