Lesson 3: How does Sculpture differ from other art mediums?
Sculpture terms and techniques - Internet Scavenger Hunt - List-Group-Label Activity

Sculpture/Nature Artist Study - Andy Goldsworthy

Introduction:
There are certain tools that sculptures use to make their work more interesting. It is always beneficial for students to look at professional artist's work for inspiration and show them how other artists interpret the world around them.

Vocabulary List:

• Additive: to form the sculpture by adding on (i.e. paper maché)
• Subtractive: to form the sculpture by taking away (i.e. marble)
• Medium: substance of sculpture (i.e., granite, marble, bronze)
• Negative Space: the open area created within the sculpture and considered a part of it
• Open: arms outward, upward (symbolic of movement, restlessness, emotional)
• Closed: arms folded or close to body (symbolic of quietness, calmness, sedate)
• Free-Standing: one can walk 360 degrees around it, or circle the sculpture
• Texturized: realistic details such as folds or draped garments, hair

Goals:

• Learn how to use materials found in nature
• Become aware of current artist's work
• Feel the limitations and possibilities of different materials
• Understand the sculpture medium and be introduced to basic terminology

Materials:

Computers w/ Internet

Graphic organizer (refer to Redance, J. Moore, D., & Rickelman, R. (2000). Prereading activities for content area reading and learning .)

Artist resource: Andy Goldswothy: A Collaboration with Nature

Sequence of Activity:

List-Group-Label

• Teacher gives class the topic of "Free-standing Sculpture."
• Students generate a list of words they associate with that topic
• Students group words into smaller groups. Teacher helps to guide students to creating labels for each group based on sculpture vocabulary terms (above).
• The vocabulary words and definitions are introduced.

Michael Turner: www.michaelturnerstudios.com

Bruce Gray: http://www.brucegray.com/htmlfolder/standingsculptures.html

Dr. Evermore: http://www.jerryrig.com/logd/stories/2002/07/10/drEvermore.php

Internet Scavenger Hunt

•  Students are given the topic "Nature Sculpture" and shown how to use Internet search engines to locate websites on the topic. They are given a few addresses as a starting point.

•  Students are given 30 min. to find 8 photos that they believe represent the vocabulary words.

•  Students share their findings with the class and definitions for the terms are reinforced.

Andy Goldsworthy

•  The text book Andy Goldswothy: A Collaboration with Nature is introduced to the class. Teacher gives an introduction about the artist and shows slide from the book. The slides are categorized into the labels that the student's created in the previous assignment.

Assessment Discussion:

Teacher prompts a discussion about using materials from nature. What are the positives and negatives? What are the limitations and possibilities of the materials? Does all art reference nature in some way? Why do you think this is true? Why are insects good subjects?