Long-term Assignment: Transmutation

"The Transmutation of Cloth" by Arthur Ganson 

Mon/Tues class: Due Monday, October 5th
Thurs/Fri class: Due Thursday, October 8th

transmute (verb)
to change in form, nature, or substance

This assignment is designed to give you the ability to tailor the class to your interests. It will allow you the time to generate ideas, while at the same time teaching you skills in several different media and allowing you to decide on which medium you’d like to focus.

During the first half of the semester, you will be introduced to basic woodworking, metal fabrication and electronics/kinetics techniques. You will be required to spend time learning and practicing your skills in each of those areas by completing 3 simple, short-term exercises. Throughout that time, you are expected to conduct individual research and generate ideas for a sculpture inspired by the idea of transmutation. This project will be due just before midterms, and account for 50% of your midterm grade.

Project requirements:

1. Documentation of individual research: at least 10 images of other artists’ work that relates to this subject should be printed and pasted into your sketchbook

2. Notes and sketches: write out or draw your all of your thoughts and ideas in your sketchbook (make this a daily or weekly habit!)

***You will be asked at random to share the above information with your peers during class discussions throughout the semester

3. Application of new skills: focus on at least one of the mediums or techniques you are taught (woodworking, metal fabrication, or electronics/kinetics) and apply that knowledge to this long-term assignment

4. Mixed media: your final project should be made of more than one medium, and include at least one found object in its construction (exceptions to this rule will be made on a case-by-case basis)

Start generating ideas for this project now, so you can learn the skills you’ll require to make them happen!