Elements and Principles of 3-D Design

Assignment:
-Using limited materials, make four, small scale sculptures.
-Each sculpture emphasizes an element or principle of art and design.  Choose four terms from the list below.
-Do not use materials to simply “attach”. Use materials  for their inherent qualities.  The required materials are BALSA WOOD, MASK TAPE (can be any width), ELMERS YELLOW WOOD GLUE, STRAIGHT PINS (avoid colored tips on pins, T-Pins are okay), CLEAR TAPE (use packing tape).

-You do not have to use all materials for each sculpture.  You do need to make sure evidence of all materials appears across all four sculptures.

-Do not represent conventional imagery and symbols.
-Do not use text.
-Do not treat the wood as a two-dimensional plane.  For instance, you make marks and add shapes to the back and front of the wood.  Make sure each sculpture is three-dimensional - work should demonstrate length, height and depth.
-Each sculpture should be no larger than the size of your hand, approx.
-Consider forms that successfully use the interior and exterior.
-Label each sculpture with your name and the term.
-Do not discard your work after it is graded. At the end of the semester, you will be drawing all work you complete in this class.

Select four terms from the following list:
Focal Point
Texture
Pattern
Scale (contrast between large and small within one sculpture)
Repetition
Pattern
Rhythm

Materials:
Balsa wood (Cut balsa wood with a utility knife.  DO NOT use an Exacto - the blades are too thin and can snap).
Mask tape (any width)
Clear tape (use packing tape)
Straight pins (do not use colored pin tips, T-pins are okay)
Elmers Yellow Wood glue (the yellow color is an inherent quality of this material and can be used as a design element) - line, shape, color, texture).
*Remember, evidence of all materials must appear across all four sculptures.

Some ideas on how to manipulate the materials:
Twist
Shred
Fold
Roll
Dice
Layer/stack
Thread (sew or string together)
Braid
Scratch
Pierce
Chop
Slice
Bend (metal pins will bend and thin balsa wood will bend if soaked in water)
Roll tape, stick rolled shapes together to form another shape
The clear tape offers opportunity to layer other shapes/textures inbetween layers of tape.

What to put on the blog:
1. Images of your work in process.
2. Any notes or sketches that you did for this assignment (optional).
3. Professional images of each sculpture - at least two different shots for each one. Photograph separately.
4. A description for each sculpture.  Discuss your intentions, process and reflect on your final solution.
5. Three drawings (we will be doing the drawings in class at the end of the semester -so keep your work safe).

In-Process:

Complete:

 The first sculpture encompasses the element of Rhythm. I wanted repeating, similar shapes which interlocked. I was heavily inspired by my childhood toys, particularly Lincoln Logs. 

 This second piece is Texture. I approached this as Pattern initially, the focal point...but the piece transformed on its own.

 The third piece is Pattern. I wet equal length pieces of balsa and bent them to create a curve and splits in the wood. Then I used pins to hold them together...I wanted a bridge shape.

 My fourth sculpture is Focal Point.I wanted to stick to basic shapes and play with the idea of balance. This sculpture was intended to look off balance yet remain stable.