A Sculpture A Day at SFAI

A SCULPTURE A DAY at the San Francisco Art Institute, Fall 2011

Instructor: Lorna Stevens
emaillorna@aol.com
www.lornastevens.com

Class meets every other Wednesday night from 7:30-10:30
September 7, 21, October 5, 19 and November 2, 16, 2011
The San Francisco Art Institute, studio 105

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide students with the experience of working with a variety of three-dimensional media through a series of small-scale projects. Each project will be completed in one class, requiring students to work quickly and effectively, though creative exploration is equally as important as end product. The projects intentionally include a conceptual component because a course goal is to simultaneously develop technical skills and thoughtful work. Students will be introduced to a broad range of artists, from a historical perspective to contemporary works and concepts. We will engage in class critiques to provide students with support and feedback about their work and to develop a critical vocabulary.

Class expectations:

Please come to class on time with the tools and materials you need to fully invest in your creative endeavors. While in class, respect the studio, your work and the work of others, and engage in class discussions and critiques.

Class structure:

Classes begin with studio time followed by a group critique of the work completed that day, an introduction to the next project and a description of the tools and materials to bring to class next week. There will be a photography setup in room 104 for students to take pictures of their work at the end of each class.

Materials

Basic materials for this course are provided, including clay, balsa wood, glue, pins, wire, plaster and tape. Please bring additional materials related to our projects that you want to incorporate into your work.

Tools

Please bring the appropriate tools to class and please put your name on everything you bring. I will bring some basic tools and supplies to class, but you will be happier with your own equipment.

Tool suggestions

These tools will work well for the projects in A Sculpture A Day; however, you do not need to buy them for class, especially if you already have similar tools. I complied this list from the stores’ online catalogs, so these exact tools may no longer be available at these prices.

From Home Depot online catalog:

Klein Tools 7 In Standard Long-Nose Pliers - Side-Cutting
Model # D203-7 Internet/Catalog # 100630669 Store SKU # 575942
$19.87

From the Utrecht Art Supply online catalog:

X-Acto no.1 Knife, 2.79

Utrecht Aluminum Cork Back Ruler - 12 in, 3.69

Excel Swiss Style Mini Hammer 7.29

Wescott Titanium 8" Scissors 4.99

Loew Cornell Mini Clay Tool Set, 6.99

WEEK 1 – September 7

Project 1: Expressive Clay Portraits

What makes a portrait memorable instead of a mere likeness? We will explore this thought while we review the proportions of the head and face and the basics of working with clay. You will make a small clay head of yourself (with the help of a mirror) or another person in class or a subject of your choosing (bring multiple views of this person’s head to class). When dry, the portraits will be fired.

Artists’ work to look at and briefly discuss: Nefertiti (ancient Egyptian), Jean-Antoine Houdon, Auguste Rodin, Alberto Giacometti, Constantin Brancusi and Robert Arneson.

6:30 - 8:30 Introductions; review of syllabus, class structure, class expectations, materials list; studio time to work on our first project

8:30 - 9:30: group critique and introduction of project 2.

Project 2: Presenting the Culturally Significant Object

Consider what is important, sacred, revered or representative of our culture or our world. How can you visually communicate these thoughts? Choose a small significant object to display/highlight/present/house in a balsa wood structure. Next week in class you will construct a balsa place for your chosen object. I will provide the wood, which consists of scraps of various shapes and sizes from a glider manufacturer, glue and pins.

Artists’ work to look at and briefly discuss: Dogon Granary doors, Egyptian mummies, Joseph Bueys, Doris Saldeco

For next week: bring your significant object, an X-acto knife and a ruler with a steel edge for cutting the balsa wood, a small light weight hammer or other tool to pound pins into the balsa.

WEEK 2 – September 21

6:30 - 8:30 Brief demonstration of construction techniques with balsa wood, studio time

8:30 - 9:30 Photography Instruction in room 104; group critique and introduction of project 3.

Project 3: Working with Printed Materials

Unlike a blank sheet of paper, the printed page offers the artist a material with a history. Consider the visual statements made by maps, book pages, packing materials, newspapers, bills and junk mail. You will create an object by laminating, folding, stapling, sewing, scrunching, ripping or otherwise assembling printed materials of your choice. Endeavor to create a conceptual match between the material and your object. I will provide an old set of encyclopedias and glue for class use.

Artists’ work to look at and briefly discuss: Ann Hamilton and Ann Chamberlain (SFPL), Paul Klee, Jonathan Callan, Ray Beldner ($)

For our next class: Please bring printed materials that spark your imagination. Consider how to construct your work and bring any necessary tools such as scissors, staplers, needles and thread.

WEEK 3- October 5

6:30 - 8:30 Studio time to create your sculpture from printed materials

8:30 - 9:30 Class critique and introduction of Project 4.

Project 4: Plaster Relief Casting - Considering the Positive and Negative

Casting offers artists the opportunity to work with negative and positive forms and to create multiples. You will create a plaster relief by filling the bottom of a cardboard box with a clay slab. The slab is your level ground, which may be built up or carved into. Create your own design, remembering not to use undercuts. Consider pressing an object or series of objects into the clay (this is the time to play with repetition). Plaster will be poured on top of the clay to create the finished product in plaster.

Artists’ work to look at and briefly discuss: Rachel Whitread, George Segal, Bruce Nauman

For our next class:

Please bring a sturdy cardboard box (it must hold two or more inches of clay and two inches of plaster) no more than 10” x 10” x 8” depth, any objects you may want to use in your casting and any clay tools that may be helpful in your work.

WEEK 4 – October 19

6:30 - 8:00 Studio time to create clay slabs and pour the plaster casts (which will need 30 minutes to set before we unmold them at the end of class).

8:00 - 9:30 Introduction of next project; unmold plaster casts; group critique

Project 5: The Three Dimensional Line Sited

Working with wire of various gauges, we will create a linear sculpture that relates to its location, both technically and aesthetically. Pieces may attach to the wall, floor, ceiling or other location. You are encouraged to consider additional materials to embellish the line (tape, paper, fabric) and add content to your work.

Artists’ work to look at and briefly discuss: Eva Hesse, Richard Tuttle, Sarah Sze, Alexander Calder, Judy Pfaff

For our next class: I will provide wire, but please bring tools for shaping and cutting wire, such as pliers or wire cutters and materials to embellish your wire.

WEEK 5 – November 2

6:30 - 8:30 Studio time to create sited linear sculptures.

8:30 - 9:30 Group critique and introduction of Project 6.

Project 6: Working with Found Objects While Considering Humor Parody, Irony and Satire

Artists’ work to look at and briefly discuss: Ray Beldner, Sandow Berk, Honore Daumier, Claus Oldenberg, Merit Oppenheim, Man Ray, William Wiley

Good art has the power to incite emotion. For our next class, we will explore making art that makes us smile. Not necessarily art that is funny, but work that considers humor, parody, irony and satire. Consider an incongruous pairing of objects or a wry commentary on society or politics. Using found objects and materials from our previous classes, you will explore creating an object that prompts a grin. Think about titling your work.

For our next class: I will bring any materials from previous classes that you request by email before the day of class. Otherwise, please bring found objects and any tools necessary for creative transformation.

Week 6 – November 16

6:30 - 8:30 Studio time to create your objects with humor.

8:30 - 9:30 Group critique, work on unfinished pieces and/or photograph your work. Prepare pieces for exhibit in the Diego Rivera Gallery show at the end of the Fall session.

Lorna Stevens
emaillorna@aol.com
www.lornastevens.com