In this project you will be working in groups to make an inflatable
sculpture. These sculptures will be made of painters plastic, plastic trash bags, and
packing tape.
Your work can be representational or abstract. Think about what you are emphasizing and what the scale says about the subject matter. Consider how the viewer will interact with the work. Will they walk around it, under it, or in it? Working with an everyday material like trash bags brings attention to the possibilities of using common materials (ideas) in new ways, essentially a re imagining of the world around us. How can you use this concept in creating your work.
For spring 2022, I want you to focus on forms that can surround the viewer in some way, but there is still a clear way for air to pass. Be inspired, at least architecturally, by arches, courtyards and pavilions. How does a form that has an accessible space need to be constructed? How can you create tension from inside to outside? T What is on the inside? How can a designer conceptualize a sculpture that can be inhabited?
Each student is required to document their own contribution
to the group. Take images and describe what you did and post it on your
Miro. I will average in the group grade with your own contribution
to determine your project grade for this assignment!
Things to think about as you make your form:
Inflatables are under pressure from the inside. As air
pushes on the material, forms are bulged from the inside out, so all
planes are kind of bulgy.
each separate section of your sculpture needs an opening from one section to another.
All these forms need a vent on the other side of the form from where the fan blows in
you need to in corporate a tube from the base of your sculpture to the blower. it should be about 10″ diameter.
Process:
After brainstorming with the group, decide on the concept of your sculpture and make a model of the work using the same materials. Then enlarge your work, breaking the tasks up between the members. Make the work as large as you can, It should be as big as it can be while being supported by the fan.
You can collaborate using the Miro space here:
Miro board link:
https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVO-n-f5Y=/
The password is the same as the other one. Remember to put your name on anything you past.
Each student should contribute some plastic to the project- like unscented garbage bags or at least 1 roll of clear packing tape.
Here is an art book that describes inflatables made by the art group “Ant Farm”
http://www.michaelrakowitz.com/parasite/
http://destructables.org/node/53
james turrell’s meeting at ps1 . . . from matthew burger on Vimeo.
https://atimidmule.org/student-inflatable-examples/