Direct Casting Fulton 126/129/Hot Shop

Class Objectives
This course is designed to introduce you to basic 3-d design techniques. Students will experience a multitude of approaches, processes and techniques for the implementation of ideas and forms in 3 dimensional terms. This can be best accomplished thorough developing an understanding of objects in 3 dimensions. Mold making and casting is an invaluable tool in the development of 3-d design. Technical instruction, Health and Safety & Studio operations will be emphasized through practical demonstrations, text and lectures.

The management of a safe working environment is essential to your continued healthy development as artists. Each student will be encouraged to investigate materials, the forming process and personal artistic goals, while developing technique. Your growth and development is key therefore we will have in class reviews every week as well as formal critiques for the mid-term and final. In addition, you will be required to make a record of your work, through a sketchbook and slides of finished work at the mid-term and final.

You will find the 3-D area a new and challenging environment that works because a collective of responsible students and faculty, which form a close-knit community, runs it. You will be required to follow all Health & safety procedures and act responsibly with regards to others and equipment. Failure to do so will result in your dismissal from this class. Misuse of equipment and tools may result in injury or to you as well as damage to the facility. If you are unsure of proper procedure please seek assistance from a more knowledgeable person (the TA's will be willing to assist you in emergencies) Even though the 3-D area requires a great deal of commitment and responsibility, it is an exciting and rewarding place to be and work. Welcome.

Assignment Guidelines
Consider the Following carefully:
Placement: The Atmosphere in which you show your object.
Hint: The worktable in the classroom is not always the best place to show finished work; (unless your piece is about the classroom or the table). If you need a pedestal, obtain one, make one or better yet, figure out how not to use one. Remember it is part of your piece weather you like it or not.
Think about the Lighting. Fluorescent lights are almost never a good way to look at fine artwork, find a better light source. Use any appropriate lighting like Clamp lights, Daylight etc.
Workmanship: Finish the piece. Make us believe whatever your trying to convey. This includes transforming that shiny bolt from the hardware store into part of your ancient relic. That means, since there probably weren't any shiny bolts 5000 BCE much less the Home Depot if you must use a modern convention (like a shiny bolt) make it work. Nothing wrecks our buzz faster than reality from a hardware store.
Cleaning up after your art work
You must remove all vestiges of your art presence immediately after critique others share your space and it is not fair to hog it up or leave a mess for others to clean up. FALURE TO COMPLY will result in a letter reduction in your midterm grade. (I mean it)

An Artist statement is:
A statement that informs the viewer what this work means to you without defining the piece directly. If you find your self-describing your work in your artists statement, you're probably are doing it wrong. Let the viewer use some of his / her imagination that is what it was put there for.

A Proposal is:
What you propose to do for your project. You are telling me what you intend to do for your project. Be detailed and specific; Don't use a lot of meaningless words, use drawings or pictures if needed.

Your sketchbook is for:
Drawing and keeping research like pictures of things you are interested in and notes. You should have 7 additions per week in your book for every week of class.

Point System

1350 - 1500 A Mid-term 400
1200 - 1349 B Final 300
1050 - 1199 C Participation & clean up 300
900 - 1049 D Assignments 300
899 - below F Weekly drawings 140
Quizzes & Extra credit 60

MID TERM Assignment Participation is mandatory
Using open-faced direct casting, have a finished object made of multiple parts (3 or more), which is a Fetish or "Ritual Object". The object may ancient or contemporary the use of the object May be a mystery or evident. It can be biased on an actual culture or an imaginary one. (be mindful of appropriation)
Cast glass should be the main multiple material for your object comprised of parts Not much larger than 4" cubed. You must incorporate at least three materials other than glass into your project. Surface treatments like abrasions, wax or paint can only count as 1 material all together. You should also have a word-processed "Proposal and Artists statement as well as other research (sketches/ pictures etc.) at the critique. Good luck See you there.

Week 1 Jan 29th -Feb 4th
Orientation to the sculpture area: Health and Safety.
Assignment: Get safety glasses (2.5-3 green & Clear) a 3M 6000 series respirator and leather welding gloves for casting. Some things are in the Book Rack Otherwise go to Valley Natl. Gasses or Air Products don't wait.
Sketchbook: 7 pages of the 3-d world: look for examples of multiples.
Next week Bring objects to class that have no undercuts to press into sand for casting.
Points: participation 20

Week 2 Feb 5th 11th
Mix sand / Choose Casting teams / Batching schedule /1st casting demo
Assignment: Write a proposal for mid term assignment see guidelines (above)
Handouts: Annealing /G-b 4 read them- there is a quiz on week 3
Sketchbook: Make 7 drawings of ideas for multiple casting.
Next week: A team casts /1st draft proposals for mid-term project
Quiz: Health and safety
Points: sketches 15, quiz 15, and participation 20

Week 3 Feb 12th -18th
1st day A team Direct Casting mid term proposals due
Assignment: Cast elements for your mid term project (Midterm Critique week 7)
Sketchbook: Fill 7 pages of your book with visual research for your mid term.
Next week: B team casts
Points: sketches 15, assignment 50, and participation 20

Week 4 Feb 19th-25th
1st day B team casts
Assignment: Cast elements for your mid term project (Midterm Critique week 7)
Sketchbook: Fill 7 more pages of your book with visual research for your mid term.
Next week: Gb4 annealing quiz/ Cold working
Points: sketches 15, assignment 50, and participation 20

Week 5 Feb 26th - Mar 4th
Cold working / 2nd group Casting session / Proposal rewrites due.
Assignment: Cold work sharp edges of your castings polish areas that you want to be clear.
Sketchbook: Draw the steps to cold work cast glad on the belt sander, lapping wheel, radius wheel, core drill, and diamond saw.
Next week: last work day before mid terms! Finish your work. Most glue takes more than 24 Hrs. to dry! Glass cannot be cold worked for at least 24 hrs after it is annealed.
Quiz: Gb4 / annealing quiz
Points: sketches 15, quiz 15, and participation 20

Week 6 Mar 5th- 11th
Work on your mid term finished work only!
Assignment: Finish your mid term project/ Write an Artist Statement due at the critique.
Handouts: Artists statements
Sketchbook: Collect examples of popular religious icons.
Points: sketches 15, hot assignment 50, participation 20
Next week: MID TERM CRITIQUE FINISHED WORK ONLY!
Attendance is mandatory

Week 7 Mar 12th - 18th
MID TERM CRITIQUE Cold construction
FINISHED WORK ONLY! Attendance is mandatory

Week 8 Spring Break March 19th-25th
Assignment: Have a blast!

Week 9 Mar 26th Apr 1st Daylight savings begins
Welcome back! Discuss Final project
Assignment: Write a proposal for the final assignment
Sketchbook: Make drawings for final assignment proposal
Next week: 1st Casting team A
Points: sketches 15, assignment 50, and participation 20

Week 10 Apr 2nd - 8th (Danny out of town Apr 6th -14th Passover)
Assignment: 1st Casting team A/ Final Proposals Due
Sketchbook: Research for final project
Next week: 1st Casting team B
Points: sketches 15, assignment 50, and participation 20

Week 11 Apr 9th - 15th (Danny out of town Apr 6th -14th Passover)
1st Casting team B
Assignment: 1st Casting team B
Sketchbook: More Research for final project
Next week: Casting team B Meet with Danny
Points: sketches 15, assignment 50, and participation 20

Week 12 Apr 16th - 22nd
Meet with Danny for final projects Rewrite for Proposals Due
Assignment: 2nd Casting team A
Sketchbook: Collect 7 pages of popular icons.
Next week: 2nd Casting team B
Points: participation 20, assignment 50

Week 13 Apr 23rd -29th
Assignment: 2nd Casting team B
Sketchbook: Collect 7 pages of metaphors.
Next week: WORK WEEK
Points: participation 20, assignment 50

Week 14 Apr 30th -May 6th
WORK WEEK Final due in one week!!!!
GET YOUR FINALS DONE!!!!
(Most glue takes MORE than 24hrs to dry)
All makeup work must be in by today@ 9PM No exceptions.

Week 15 May7th -13th
FINAL CRITIQUE FINISHED WORK ONLY!
Attendance is mandatory
***Turn in your keys, cleanup after your critique return all pedestals, clear our your lockers or you will not receive your grades***

Week 16 May 14th- 20th
Avoid a letter reduction of your grade!Turn your Labeled Slides by May 14th
Final Exams May 17th -23rd
Good luck