Mon/Tues class: Due Monday, September 7th
Thurs/Fri class: Due Thursday, September 10th
Your assignment is to make a small tabletop sculpture (less than 24” in any direction) that abstractly represents a found object, using wood as your primary medium.
The intent of this assignment is to teach you some very basic woodworking techniques. Your goal should be to familiarize yourself with the available tools in the school’s woodshop, and to practice using them safely and effectively.
The focus of this project is on the craft of your object. No nails or screws are to be used in its construction (however, wood dowels are acceptable). All joints must be glued. Refer to the attached list of basic wood joints for more information.
Each student will be supplied with one 24” square piece of 1/2” thick plywood. Other supplies (other kinds of wood, dowels, etc.) are not required for this assignment. Although they are allowed, their acquirement will be the responsibility of each individual student.
Suggestions and things to consider:
Choose a small object that has a very simple form (like a wine glass, light bulb, toothbrush, etc.) that you could enlarge. Start with a simple idea. Add complexity in the details.
The focus of this project is on the craft of your object. No nails or screws are to be used in its construction (however, wood dowels are acceptable). All joints must be glued. Refer to the attached list of basic wood joints for more information.
Each student will be supplied with one 24” square piece of 1/2” thick plywood. Other supplies (other kinds of wood, dowels, etc.) are not required for this assignment. Although they are allowed, their acquirement will be the responsibility of each individual student.
Suggestions and things to consider:
Choose a small object that has a very simple form (like a wine glass, light bulb, toothbrush, etc.) that you could enlarge. Start with a simple idea. Add complexity in the details.
Notice the object’s contour lines, its distinctive qualities and textures. What are the object’s most important visual elements?
Consider your object in each of the 3 dimensions. What will it look like from above, from below, and from the sides? How will it sit on the table?
Make a lot of drawings before you start cutting! Try doing some blind contour drawings of your object to abstract the form a bit more.
Make templates out of paper and trace or glue them down on the wood for precise cuts. Measure twice before you cut!
Consider utilizing the unique properties wood has to offer as a building material: wood grain, knots, visual pattern created by joints, plywood layers and dowel ends, rough texture vs. sanded, carving capabilities, etc.
Try challenging yourself to use as much of your plywood as possible, even the scraps made from cutting it up.
Remember… this project is due in less than 2 weeks! Keep it simple!
Consider your object in each of the 3 dimensions. What will it look like from above, from below, and from the sides? How will it sit on the table?
Make a lot of drawings before you start cutting! Try doing some blind contour drawings of your object to abstract the form a bit more.
Make templates out of paper and trace or glue them down on the wood for precise cuts. Measure twice before you cut!
Consider utilizing the unique properties wood has to offer as a building material: wood grain, knots, visual pattern created by joints, plywood layers and dowel ends, rough texture vs. sanded, carving capabilities, etc.
Try challenging yourself to use as much of your plywood as possible, even the scraps made from cutting it up.
Remember… this project is due in less than 2 weeks! Keep it simple!
