Unit Overview
"Dimensional Limitations" Introductory Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vtTlSai0jI
Lesson 1:
"Building Something Out of Nothing"
Objectives
• explore the process of developing concept through
observations and research (critical)
• work with 2-d media to create an expressive drawing
(process)
• develop a familiarity with contemporary art and artists
(critical)
• gain an understanding of architectural design processes
(historical)
Materials
• Drawing paper (18” x 24”) for drawing assignment
• Various art media for drawing such as pencils/graphite, charcoal,
pen/ink
• Watercolor for painting
• Brushes for painting
Additional Materials
• “Explorer Packet” and additional handouts -- for observation
practice
• Invisible Cities books or reproductions of chosen chapters -- for PreAssessment activity
• Reproductions of Piet Mondrian [ex. Grey Tree (1911), Broadway
Boogie Woogie (1942)]
• Videos of Jane South’s work
• Website: http://janesouthproject.wordpress.com/
Procedures
1. Reading a section of Invisible Cities and analyzing the environment.
2. Use concept mapping to describe the city.
3. Observing a different environment.
4. Creating a blueprint based on the environment.
5. Draw on top of blueprint the external appearance of the environment.
6. Critique and written narrative about work.
Lesson 2:
"Organic Limitations"
Objectives
• complete the vocabulary quiz with 100 percent accuracy
• work in groups of 3-4 to complete a paper and cardboard sculpture
• gain an understanding of the properties of paper construct a
representation of an organic object, explore and discuss their
surrounding environments and the differences between "organic"
and "man-made"
• NO COLOR WILL BE USED. This is to shift focus towards the
structure and form of the sculpture rather than any paint or drawing
on the actual piece.
Materials
• paper and cardboard for paper construction materials
• scissors, utility knife, tape, and string to aid in
construction
• scrap paper for paper altering exercise
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Additional resources
janesouthproject.wordpress.com
Image examples of paper sculpture
organic objects for each group or images from nature
journals, science and food publications, etc..
2 handouts:
o vocabulary
o "Object Documentation Log"- sketching and planning
project as individuals, one as a group
slide show of sample images
videos on disc and at website
Procedures
1. Complete Vocabulary quiz.
– Discussion on Jane South's work.
– Complete object documentation.
– Students get in groups and develop a plan on final sculpture.
– Given a bag of materials for sculpture.
– Groups assemble sculpture.
– Critique.
Pre-Visit Lesson Plan
Day 1
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
Concept Mapping
Students explore activities in
developing concepts and analyzing
environments.
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
Imaginary conversations
between Marco Polo and his
host, the Chinese ruler Kublai
Khan, conjure up cities of
magical times.
“Of all tasks, describing the
contents of a book is the most
difficult and in the case of a
marvelous invention like Invisible
Cities, perfectly irrelevant” (Gore
Vidal).
Translated by William Weaver. A
Helen and Kurt Wolff Book
What does your
environment look like??
"Explorer Handbook"
To Be Completed Over A
Weekend
or Couple Day Period
Environment and Art:
Different environments and
perspectives portrayed through art
"The reality of our century is technology: the invention,
construction and maintenance of machines. To be a user
of machines is to be of the spirit of this century. Machines
have replaced the transcendental spiritualism of past
eras."
--László Moholy-Nagy
View from the Pont
Transbordeau, Marseille
- Iron Column
1929
gelatin silver print
49.9 x 40.0 cm.
"I construct lines and color combinations on a flat surface, in
order to express general beauty with the utmost awareness.
Nature (or, that which I see) inspires me, puts me, as with any
painter, in an emotional state so that an urge comes about to
make something, but I want to come as close as possible to the
truth and abstract everything from that, until I reach the
foundation (still just an external foundation) of things."
- Piet Mondrian
Broadway Boogie Woogie
Grey Tree, Piet Mondrian
Blueprints
http://brontoversity.com/2009/06/09/need-a-blueprint-for-your-messages-try-brontos-newsample-template/
http://www.chambers-house-build-it.com/understandhouseblueprints.html
Post-Visit Lesson Plan
"Organic Limitations"
Exploring the Use
of Man-Made Materials
and the Representation of
the Organic Object
Richard Sweeney
Ways to Alter
Paper
Take a few
minutes to try each
of these
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Cut
Fold
Score
Bend
Curl
Tear
Simon Schubert
Scoring
Chris Natrop
White White Mayday in Mustard
and Gold
size variable Ι watercolor and
white tape on cut white paper with
thread and nylon netting Ι 2006
Cutting
Folding
Dress by
Jolis Paons
Bending
chandaliers by Kristen Hassenfeld
Ellen Ringstad. Untitled
series. 2005-2007. Paper,
acrylic.
Paper Cones
Interlocking cardboard
The delicate and beautiful tree sculptures are designed by
Ferry Staverman. The sculpture with varying height is crafted
out of layered cardboard using laminated and recycled
cardboard.
janesouthproject.wordpress.com