Small Worlds, Big Wonders: Creating a Sculpture from Found Objects with Kristina Estell for ages 10+
5 sessions May 4th-May 8th 11am to 12pm online via Zoom (will send meeting invite upon registration)
$25 per session or $125 for 5 sessions
Using found materials and objects at home, students will explore the work of contemporary artist Sarah Sze to create their own world of systems and networks to create a sculpture. This lesson challenges you to look at common household materials through an aesthetic lens, to use construction and design problem solving skills and to find beauty and interconnected realities within our everyday surroundings.
Material List
For Monday:
· Cardboard box as a “space” to build in
· Large piece of sturdy cardboard, Styrofoam or plywood for a base (optional)
· Hot glue gun, white school glue
· Box cutter, exacto knives, scissors, cutting mat or cardboard to use as a table protector
For Tuesday:
· Found objects of common use: packing materials, cardboard, toothpicks, Q-tips, food packets, small empty containers, paper, string, wire, rocks, shells, feathers, leaves, bubble wrap, tape of all types, thread, tiles, fans, lights, paper clips, bulldog clips, thumb tacks, plastic parts, plastic silverware, beads, candies (not chocolate), straws, stickers, pipe cleaners, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, etc……anything with a use!
· (Optional) Found images or printed photos
· (Optional) Living matter - small house plants, moss, grass, etc.
Class Schedule:
Monday: Introduction to the project will begin with a slide show of historic and modern artists using found objects in their work leading into an exploration of Sarah Sze's contemporary intricate installations. Students will begin to create their sculpture with their supporting materials, beginning with a box and a base material, taking some time to think about the shape of the space they are making, cutting windows, portals and doors. Kristina will demonstrate her work with found materials and provide suggestions for materials to use and gather for the next class session.
Tuesday: Students will show and tell the objects they found to work with and start to think about how their sculpture and network of systems will take form. Students will begin to build foundation pieces and inner structures of their sculpture to create depth and specific places for found objects to live. Kristina will demonstrate a basic toothpick and cardboard construction and encourage students to think about the interior walls and floor of their space for boundaries. Students will use their materials and found objects to create patterns and add interest.
Wednesday: Students will continue with building layers from the bottom up and adding to growing support structures. Start adding small parts and details. Think about creating tailored spaces for extra special objects or photos. Look at how to expand outside the limits of the box.
Thursday: Students will continue to work on their box installations and Kristina will help problem solve, etc. At about the halfway point in class, Kristina will talk about the critique that will happen on the last day of class and introduce another quick optional assignment for those who might be finished with their box pieces. Kristina will show images of a series of contemporary artists who use multiples of the same object to create sculptures. Students will be challenged to find something they have in multiples at home and create an impromptu, impermanent sculpture. The students will take photos of their sculptural creation to show in class on the last day along with their box installations.
Friday: Students will share their artworks and the class will critique all the “Small Worlds” box projects and “Accumulation” photos!
