Representation of Body F19

Representations of the Body-Linear and planar forms

Using planar and linear elements, create a sculpture that has a relationship to the body. The piece should not be a direct representation of a body or body part, but should instead be something that relates to or suggests a body (such as a shirt or a crutch). The obvious place to start is with a sketch or idea of an actual, literal shirt (for example), but you should try to push your literal thought into the realm of the metaphorical. Instead of a simple shirt, shift your idea into the symbolic by using your imagination and departing from the normal definition of what makes a shirt.


Consider the principles of three-dimensional design, such as how the eye moves around a form, repetition of elements, scale, etc.

Bring in your own sharpie marker, scissors and measuring device (24”ruler or tape Measure).

You Must Have these!!!


Step 1: Draw 3 possible ideas in your Sketchbook that are well developed.

Step 2: Pick one Draw Full Scale Drawing

Step 3: Take measurements, make template

Step 4: Plan how to make it.


Grade breakdown:

/5%  Project Description/assignment:  You can summarize the project description or cut and paste.  Describe the “intent” (what the viewer will get) and what you think are the interesting parts that you were excited to do.   Also describe the challenges you see for yourself.  Perhaps it was a material you had never used or a concept you had not thought about before. With all your comments try to list at least one or two specifics.

/10% Lateral thinking:  Explain what you are trying to do at this stage and then show examples.  These are your “lists” (or other brainstorming strategies) that you made when generating ideas.  You might take a digital image and then mark it up digitally with notes and arrows or use sticky notes before taking an image.  It could also be a written statement.  It is up to you.   However you decide to do this, it should explain your thoughts and give insight to the decisions you made about your ideas and which ones to move forward.

/10%  Sketchbook/Drawings (3 different ideas, 4 pages of drawings for each idea=12 Pages total):  Take pictures of your sketch book drawings with your phone or SLR camera  and add comments about what you were thinking.

/10% Maquettes:  Photograph your maquettes and include them. Explain why you did these and how they were helpful.  How could you have done things differently to improve the finished work?  Could you have made them differently or used a different material?  Bigger? Smaller? Etc.

/10% Material Studies: Photograph your material studies. Explain what you thought you might learn from doing this and then what you actually learned.  This might be trying out a new material on a small scale to see what it does, it might be doing a full scale drawing to get a sense of scale or it might be trying out a painting style on a scrap before you commit to the actual piece.  The material study gives you a way to test out an aspect of the piece without committing to it only to find out it did not work.  Although this may take time it ultimately saves you time and gives the ability to find the element that works best with the overall intent.

/50% Finished Piece:  This is where you have a few pictures (probably at the top of your post) and write a longer formal “artist” statement that talks about the intent or idea you started out with and how the piece changed over the process.  Then evaluate the finished piece using the project description and the elements of design.  Also talk about the things you learned that you will take forward into other art making.  It is valid to have a piece fail or come out in unexpected ways but still have learned a great deal!  As artists we are constantly venturing into unknown territories (ideas/materials/styles/etc) and should be comfortable with a process that is rich in experimenting and play that pushes the limits (maybe even to failure). It is fine to put this at the top of your post even though it is the final step.

20%  Engages the viewer physically (able to project themselves into object)

20%  Dynamic/Interesting  Form

10%  Appropriate Craft