Project #1

Dame Barbara Hepworth (English, 1903-1975),
Oval Sculpture (No. 2), 1943, cast 1958, plaster, 29.3 x 40.0 x 25.5 cm, Tate Gallery, London. Because oval refers to a two-dimensional shape, this three-dimensional form would better be described as ovoid or ovate — shaped like an egg. See sculpture.

Project #1: Finding Form and Movement
Reductive Process

This project will explore 3-D abstraction from a point-of-view of a reduced or simplified form based on an objective source. Work of this nature was prevalent in the Modern Era. Prior to the turn of the 20th century, the dominate style of sculpture was often loose, and naturalistically representative, much like impressionist painting. some good examples of a sculptors of the late 19th Century who were working in this manor are August Rodin and Edgar Degas.
Modernism was a break from tradition. It championed form, space, color, movement, and balance over creating likenesses or representations. While painting was favored over sculpture by critics of the day, it was still the era of "art for art's sake".

You will need:
· Plaster of Paris
· Water
· A strong cardboard box(and duct tape),or plastic container like a mop bucket.
· 5 Liter bucket to mix plaster in
· Nitrile or vinyl gloves
· Dust mask
· safety goggles
· Bubble level
· Chisels and a mallet
· Sand Paper
· rasps and files
What to do: Create an abstract sculpture loosely based on something representational. An abstracted figure, or object that borrows the modernist aesthetic. This could be characterized by smooth textures, rounded edges, incorporation of positive and negative space etc.
1. We will make out plaster blocks in class (see plaster info sheet).
2. come up with a proposal in your sketchbook.
3. plot out the idea for your abstract form, and draw each side of it on your block.
4. Begin chipping and digging away to reveal the form. Little bits at a time works best.
5. Refine your form by focusing on texture and surface.

Look At: Barbara Hepworth, Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miró, Julio González, and Jacques Lipchitz.