Underwater wonders

Arts & Activities, June, 2005 by Paula Guhin

I was the Queen of Cardboard for a while, the mother of all cardboard collectors. Stacks of the stuff nearly reached the classroom ceiling! It was free and a great way to recycle.

We used all brown corrugated cardboard to make large' three-dimensional sculptures in one of the most successful career. And that's no fish story.

My high schoolers had a whale of a good time making marvelous marine life. They each worked with a partner, and when they were done my room was swimming with amazing aquatic art.

In the beginning, in an effort at an anticipatory set, I had shared a "vision" with my classes. "Picture an underwater world," I'd said, "where the light is blue and green. Seaweed sways in the current and colorful fish are everywhere. You hear the fascinating sound of whale songs.

There's even a fresh, watery scent in the air." I'd like to think it was motivational for my students to imagine our room transformed into such a magical place. Inspired, we began.

First, I shared a rubric with my pupils. Assessment by the teacher would be based partly on the use of interesting contours, adequate size, additional three-dimensional features and good craftsmanship. The partners also knew they'd be evaluating themselves and each other.

We researched and found many fish images from which to work, but I didn't require that the sculptures be "realistic." I encouraged the making of fantastic, fanciful fish too.

The partners went to work cutting out one side of their fish from a large sheet of cardboard. This silhouette or "side view" became a pattern from which a second, identical piece could be traced and cut out. We took great care with our sharp tools (utility knives).

The next step was to create "spacers" with which to join the two sides: long pieces about 5 inches wide. We used corrugated "paper" often purchased for bulletin boards--it's rigid width-wise but supple length-wise. For maximum flexibility as these side pieces are bent to fit the contours of the fish-shape, one must cut against the "grain" (the cardboard ribs) when making the long strips.

The long strips were form-fitted and tape between the two flat sides to create, in effect, a fish-shaped "box." We also taped on enhancements like cardboard eyelids, gills, teeth, more fins--even catfish whiskers!

PISCEAN PAPIER-MACHE We covered a taped areas with strips of brown paper toweling dipped in wallpaper paste. Three layers, when dry, made our sculptures sturdy and strong. We painted them with honey tempera or egg tempera for a nice glaze.

What a fine kettle of fish we had! There were sharks, angelfish, jellyfish, a seahorse and even a giant manta ray. We had other denizens of the deep, too, including starfish and a huge clam. The bottom-dwellers were arranged for display at a low level in the classroom.

THE "FIN"-ISHING TOUCHES To suspend our creations from the ceiling, we used fishing line and fishhooks--how appropriate! We hung crepe-paper streamers of blues and greens, and brought in several fans to stir the air. We darkened the room, except for green and blue lights. We sprayed a "freshwater" scent in the air and put on a whales CD. Underwater World was ready.

An invitation had gone out to parents to stop in and "sea" during parent-teacher conferences that very evening. I didn't have to fish for compliments; the response was amazing, reel-y! The next day was set aside for any students and teachers to experience the fishy fun. We announced school-wide that the display was available for viewing all day (my classes met elsewhere that day). Many people, including entire classes, stopped in to enjoy.

If you decide to "go fish," consider fluorescent paint and black lights, perhaps, or a collaboration with the science department. So you won't "flounder" time-wise, remember this: we needed seven full block periods from start to end.

Do try these flamboyant fish sculptures. They're so easy it's like a day at the beach--and you'll be happy as a clam.

MATERIALS

* Large pieces of corrugated cardboard

* Resource books

* Masking tape

* Tempera paint or acrylics

* Brushes and paint containers

* Wallpaper paste and containers

* Paper towels

* Utility knives

Paula Guhin recently retired from teaching art at Central High School in Aberdeen, S.D., and serves as a contributing Editor for Arts & Activities.