Sculpting in black and white

Arts & Activities, May, 2004 by Iris Gershenson

Pick three numbers, any numbers between one and nine. Remember them. Is this some kind of magic trick? Well, the results might took like magic, but there's really nothing tricky about this project.

With these three numbers, you and your students are about to start what will turn out to be a sculptural masterpiece. With the help of patterns and some imagination, you will soon have a three-dimensional work of art that even Calder would envy. Ready?

Using a fine, black marker, draw your first number on a white 9" x 12" paper. Make it BIG! It's best to use a heavyweight construction paper, as it will make some later steps easier. When you add your next two large numbers, have them touch each other and, if you desire, an edge of the paper. You will notice that the lines of the numbers divide your paper into different sections. Make sure you get lots of different shapes and sizes since variety will give you more pizzazz.

Next, it's time to give your shapes personality. How? Add patterns! With your black marker, fill up the space with lines, polka dots, even small letters and numbers. Anything you can imagine goes--just make sure you get a vibrant feeling from your designs.

Once you've filled up all the spaces on the page, flip the paper over and coat it with black tempera paint. In a future step, the solid side will contrast with the wild designs and add an element of drama.

Before you move on, make sure your tempera is thoroughly dry. If you're in a hurry, you can use a hairdryer to speed up the process. Once your paper is dry, cut out each of your shapes following the original lines of the numbers. Since it's a three-dimensional sculpture that you're after, take each of the pieces and twist of curl them to create the feeling of movement. You might even want to throw in some fancier accordion pleats or other folds to make your shapes come to life.

Now you have a choice to make: Do you want your masterpiece to be a relief with a flat base, or would you rather use a cone of a ball to make a sculpture in the round?

Depending on your decision, you will need either a 12" x 18" piece of black construction paper for the relief, or a painted cardboard cone (or Styrofoam[R] ball) for a sculpture in the round. Using Tacky Glue[TM], attach your cut-out shapes to the base that you've chosen. Try to alternate the black and patterned sides to create that sense of movement and drama.

As you work, you might notice that you need your shapes to have even more volume to really stand out from the base. The negative space created by puffing out a shape or by placing two shapes next to each other in just the right way can have some great effects. Flat shapes are just not as interesting to the eye.

At this point, you might also want to consider whether colored wires or beads would give an added dimension to your sculpture. Also, if you made a sculpture in the round, would it benefit from having a wood base to rest on? Really, anything you think would help is fair game. Then, when you feel satisfied that nothing else could possibly make your masterpiece more interesting, you're done!

When finished with this project, have the students find partners. Each should take turns rotating the other's sculpture to check for: (1) Proper contrast of solid black and patterns; (2) Interesting use of negative space; and (3) Good creation of volume.

You'll be surprised by the results that they produce. Not only will your students create beautiful sculptures, but they'll also gain a greater awareness of space and the texture that patterns can form. You may need to pinch yourself to believe that it was your fifth-graders who created these "middle-school" projects.

MATERIALS

* 80 lb.-white drawing paper 9" x 12"

* Fine Sharpie [R] markers

* Black tempera paint

* Scissors

* Tacky Glue

Optional Materials

* Black construction paper 12" x 18"

* Styrofoam balls

* Colored wire

* Beads

* Wooden blocks

* Wooden dowels

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will ...

* use motor skills to rail, twist and pleat paper.

* attach paper by gluing neatly and by using slits.

* build three-dimensional constructions.

* balance shapes, physically and visually.

* use numbers and letters to create patterns.

* apply color to one side of the paper without getting paint on the other side.

* learn the meanings of negative space and relief sculpture.

* evaluate a sculpture and make constructive suggestions.

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas.

Iris Gershenson is the lead elementary art teacher at Burr Intermediate School in Commack, N. Y.