Thursday, October 15, 2009

Turner Gallery Exhibition: Wearable Sculpture and Performance

Due Friday, October 30th


Ann Hamilton, "untitled (body object series) #5-bushhead"

Your assignment is to make a wearable sculpture that will be worn for the duration of the exhibition in the Turner Gallery on October 30th. Your performance of the object (your movement and behavior while wearing it) will be just as important as the craft of the object itself, and will account for 50% of your grade for this project. Do not let the performance become an afterthought; consider it as a main element of your design.

Other than being worn on your body, your sculpture may also incorporate the performance environment and invite audience participation. Don’t forget: this will be a dance party! There will be loud music, dim lighting and potentially lots of people. How will your sculpture be designed for such an environment? How can your everyday perception or opinion of college dance parties play a role in that design?

The intent of this assignment is to teach you some very basic soft sculpture techniques, including paper-making (stretching paper over a metal armature) and sewing. You will be required to incorporate at least one sewn fabric element into your project. You are also welcome to incorporate other techniques or processes into your sculpture, such as felting, knitting, crocheting, or paper mache.

Available tools and materials: sewing machines and supplies, hand sewing needles and thread, batting for stuffed elements, 1/4” steel round stock for welded armatures, pliable aluminum armature wire, chicken wire, plaster gauze, abaca paper pulp.

Suggestions and things to consider:

Object. You are wearing the sculpture. Therefore, YOU are essentially “the object”. Do you want people to see or recognize you? Is your persona/sex/race important? Are you terrified of performing? If so, consider covering your face or collaborating with your fellow classmates.

Form. How will the object’s form encourage or prevent a particular kind of movement? Will you be able to move on your own or will participants need to assist you in some way?

Scale. Keep in mind that there will be 25 students/performers in the room, not including the audience. The space may get crowded, especially if it becomes a successful dance party.

Space. How will the object interact with the space and everything occurring around it? Is it designed for a specific part of the room? Is a part of the space altered in preparation for or during that interaction? Does it create its own sense of space in some way?

Remember… this piece will be part of a public exhibition. Take it seriously.

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