Materials:  Any found materials which may foster imaginative use/manipulation such as: rope, wood, wire, paper and non-traditional art materials (rubber, foam, plastic, repurposed objects, etc)

Tools: Hammers, pliers, nails, glue, scissors

Age Group:  Middle School

Vocabulary:  Form vs. Shape, negative/positive space, texture, symmetry/asymmetry, organic/geometric, transformation

Objective:  To build an abstract sculptural form using multiple materials. Imaginative applications and uses for the materials should be explored and employed by the students.

Exercise Directions:  Instructor will discuss and demonstrate a number of techniques for transforming, exploring, and changing materials while using and explaining the selected vocabulary. Students will be allowed to explore the ways materials can be manipulated, altered and reconstructed.  The exploration expands and progresses into actual sculpture building.

Outcomes:  

• Students will gain some understanding of a specific art-making strategy.
• Students will log in valuable practice time using their imaginations to see in new ways and look beyond the materials in front of them.
• Students will begin to foster skills in tool usage as well as physical engineering and problem solving.

Reflection:  In a “gallery talk” setting, the instructor and students will discuss the newly formed pieces.  This is an opportunity for ideas about materials use, craftsmanship, and creative decision-making to be validated and questioned. Meanings and interpretations can also be parsed out.

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