Art 9 – Found Objects/Assemblage
DESCRIPTION
Using found objects and materials and tools purchased exclusively from 99¢
stores create two separate artworks. One should be exceptionally
technical/primarily focused on form. The other must be exceptionally
conceptual/idea driven.
OBJECTIVES
-Develop awareness of and appreciation for contemporary art and artists.
-Test the limits of your hands and your mind by requiring them to operate as
isolated entities.
-Become more aware of the potential of common objects as art tools/materials.
-Doubt bravely.
EXECUTION
Required Materials/Tools
For this assignment, you may only use products already in your possession or
that you purchase from a 99¢ type store: Not Walmart, not Target, etc,. Every
product purchased must cost $1 or less.
You may not use any tool you do not purchase at a 99¢ store or already own.
This includes scissors, a ruler, glue, tape, an eraser, a printer, a projector, etc. If
you do not buy it at a 99¢ store or have it already, you may not use it to
create (i.e., execute) your artwork.
General Process Guidelines
Spend unstructured time perusing, thinking, and exploring potential materials
uninterrupted for at least 30 minutes, optimally by yourself. Look at things, touch
things, smell things, and if necessary take notes and pictures. Allow your ideas to
be born through your interaction with materials rather than trying to import your
ideas onto the objects. In short, let the objects/materials speak to you.
Experiment with a material before buying it in bulk.
If your plan requires fifty bags of potato chips, experiment with a few bags before
buying all fifty.
As always, work within your budget.
Exceptionally technical and exceptionally conceptual do not mean exceptionally
expensive.
Allow yourself to have a lot of doubt about the two artworks.
Be ambitious enough to risk failure and embarrassment.
One artwork should make your hands hurt and the other should make your head
hurt.
Specific Guidelines for Part 1: Exceptionally Technical
The emphasis of the technical artwork is primarily physical.
The object will be an end to itself.
An "exceptionally technical" artwork should be a triumph of your hands.
The focus is on craftsmanship, tedium, technique, skill, and physical labor. Make
the viewer wonder, "How did you do that?"
Use a simple concept.
This artwork should be technically rigorous and conceptually simple. Do not
belabor what your object "means"--you will understand it when you make it.
Specific Guidelines for Part 2: Exceptionally Conceptual
The emphasis of the conceptual artwork is primarily mental.
The object will be a means to something else.
An "exceptionally conceptual" artwork should be a triumph of your mind.
The focus is on the communication of questions, ideas, opinions, or beliefs. Make
the viewer wonder, "What does that mean?"
Use a simple technique.
This artwork should be conceptually rigorous and technically simple. Do not
belabor its construction--allow yourself to do less as "creator". Do not, however,
ignore aesthetics altogether.
EXAMPLES
For more inspiration, Google these artists:
Martin Creed, Giuseppe Penone, Maurizio Cattelan, Tony Feher, Tara Donovan,
Cornelia Parker, Tom Friedman, and Felix Gonzalez-Torres.
CRITIQUE
The nature of this assignment might require that you work primarily outside of
class. If that is the case, because your work is too large to bring in, or the
materials are too unruly, I expect an e-mail update (written description and
photographs) to supplement every class session we do not gather together. Your
updates are due by 11:59pm on the day class normally meets. You will not
receive attendance for a class session if you do not submit an update by the
deadline. Depending on progress I may respond to e-mails with individualized
questions and critiques.
Both projects are due for critique December 11th. If, like the Gabriel Orozco
piece, you want to make a sight specific work, you can photograph your work at
the sight and simply show the documentation/photograph during critique.
Any questions?