Gargoyles:
“in architecture, a gargoyle is a carved or formed
grotesque[1] with a spout designed to convey water
from a roof and away from the side of a building,
thereby preventing rainwater from running down
masonry walls and eroding the mortar between.
Architects often used multiple gargoyles on buildings
to divide the flow of rainwater off the roof to minimize
the potential damage from a rainstorm. A trough is cut
in the back of the gargoyle and rainwater typically
exits through the open mouth. Gargoyles are usually
an elongated fantastic animal because the length of
the gargoyle determines how far water is thrown from
the wall. When Gothic flying buttresses were used,
aqueducts were sometimes cut into the buttress to
divert water over the aisle walls.”
In
• The term originates from the French gargouille, which in
English is likely to mean "throat" or is otherwise known as
the "gullet";[2] cf. Latin gurgulio, gula, gargula ("gullet" or
"throat") and similar words derived from the root gar, "to
swallow", which represented the gurgling sound of water
(e.g., Portuguese garganta, "throat"; gárgola, "gargoyle").
It is also connected to the French verb gargariser, which
means "to gargle."[3] The Italian word for gargoyle is
doccione or gronda sporgente, an architecturally precise
phrase which means "protruding gutter."
• When not constructed as a waterspout and only serving an
ornamental or artistic function, the correct term for such a
sculpture is a chimera, or boss. Just as with bosses and
chimeras, gargoyles are said to frighten off and protect
those that it guards, such as a church, from any evil or
harmful spirits.
• Gargoyles were viewed in two ways by the
church throughout history. The primary use
was to convey the concept of evil through the
form of the gargoyle, which was especially
useful in sending a stark message to the
common people, most of whom were
illiterate. Gargoyles also are said to scare evil
spirits away from the church, this reassured
congregants that evil was kept outside of the
church’s walls.[9] However, some medieval
clergy viewed gargoyles as a form of idolatry.
Animal gargoyles
• The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans all used
animal-shaped waterspouts.[12] During the 12th century, when
gargoyles appeared in Europe, the Roman Catholic Church was
growing stronger and converting many new people. Most of the
population at this time were illiterate, and therefore images were
very important to convey ideas. In the medieval world many
creatures had mystical powers attributed to them. Also, human
qualities were sometimes ascribed to specific animals—that is, the
animals were anthropomorphized. This was especially common for
pagans, and using these ideas helped conversion to Catholicism.
Some animals (such as the rhinoceros and the hippopotamus) were
unknown in western Europe during the Middle Ages so gargoyles of
these species (such as the ones at Laon Cathedral) are modern
gargoyles and therefore did not have symbolic meaning in Medieval
times.[13]
Your next assignment is to create a
gargoyle that will hang from the wall.
• 1. This means you have to figure out how to make it hang, where the
weight will be, and how it will balance.
• 2. Rough drawing is required and you must follow it and hand it in at the
end of the assignment with your gargoyle. It cannot be larger than 8
inches in any direction or points will be taken off and It can not be smaller
than 8 inches in at least one direction.
• 3. It must be created using any or all of the techniques you have learned
so far which is coil, pinch or slab.
• 4. It must show texture.
• 5. It must be original and not a favorite cartoon character.
• 6. It must have a mouth that is open and can act like a spout of a real
original gargoyle.
• 7. It must be a creature of sorts either half human or some kind of animal.
• 8 It must be neatly executed without cracks or un joined seams.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargoyle
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http://www.thehorrordome.com/images/products/detail/6098LG.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nV
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http://www.allfranceinfo.com/images/cathedrals/notre-dame-gargoyles.jpg
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http://www.utaot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/gargoyle-gargoile-demon-notre-dameparis.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Paisley_Abbey_gargoyle_13.jpg
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1792952/thumbs/o-GARGOYLE-900.jpg?6
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http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/9/94/Gargoyles!-(Dornoch-Cathedral).jpg/259pxGargoyles!-(Dornoch-Cathedral).jpg