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 2019, we will be making forms that can be inhabited. How does a form that has an accessible interior need to be constructed? How can you create tension from inside to outside? 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
wiki page. 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 the demo, each student will use Bristol board and rubber cement to make 3 simple forms each form should be asymmetrical, but not too complex. (See the form and surface page for some examples)
After the small models are done, each student will make a model of an inflatable. Your model should be between 4” and 12” in any direction. Each person is to make their own model of their own design. Conceptualize the model as something that activates the space around it as well as inside it.
The class will break into 2 groups. Each student will present their model to the group. The group will look at the models and decide on a theme and develop the group idea using the best bits from the individual projects.
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.
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
https://atimidmule.org/student-inflatable-examples/