Illuminated Bamboo Sculpture
Herron High School
Sculpture
• Introduction: For this project, you will use bamboo reed to create an organic
form that utilizes both occupied and unoccupied space, and rhythm to create a
sense of movement. Although light is considered to be rather a practical than an
artistic tool, it has properties that artists can effectively explore in their works.
Indeed, light can also be considered as a medium for more powerful and more vivid
artistic expression. In fact, many artists make use of it creating quite impressive
works of art that play with cast-shadows and even reflection.
• Criteria: The sculpture must be in-the-round, but can be designed to stand on its
own or to be placed on a base. Once the structure, or armature, is created with the
bamboo reed, the form will be covered. Once the form is complete, you will add a
light source to the sculpture – enhancing and showcasing the internal structure
within. Your bamboo form must be about 1 foot x 1 foot. The form itself should be
constructed entirely with bamboo reed and hot glue. The surface of the sculpture
should be created using wheat paste and paper. However, Mrs. Norris may accept
other options such as fabric or plastic – upon approval. As always, craftsmanship is
extremely important. Be mindful of the amount of hot glue you are using to join the
bamboo reed! Once the light is placed inside of your sculpture, many craftsmanship
issues will be highlighted.
• Terms to Know:
Craftsmanship – aptitude, skill, or quality workmanship in use of tools and
materials.
Organic - of or pertaining to the shapes or forms in a work of art that are of
irregular contour and seem to resemble or suggest forms found in nature.
Occupied/Unoccupied Space – occupied space is the totality of the mass lying
between its contours; in 3D work, it is the space occupied by the sculpture itself.
Unoccupied space is the empty space - defined by the occupied space.
In-the-round – the allusion to tri-dimensionality
Movement – The quality of suggesting movement in an artwork. There are four
types of movement typically employed in artwork: implied, actual, optical and
sequence.
Rhythm - principle of design that creates a feeling of visual motion in an artwork by
repetition of elements such as lines, shapes, or colors.
Armature – A sculpture support system, or skeleton.
Cast Shadow – A cast shadow is a type of shadow that is created on a form next to a
surface that is turned away from the source of light. When a form blocks the light, it
causes a cast shadow to be formed. Every object that blocks light has a cast shadow
associated with it.
NOTE: Before beginning your sculpture, you must create sketches of at least
three potential designs (worth 30 points).
Don’t forget … Have fun with your design. Be creative. Push yourself and take
risks. Make something you would be proud to display in a gallery – or even in
your home.
• Artists to Check Out:
Stephen White
William Leslie
Kumi Yamashita
Bill Culbert
Jim Campbell
Robert Irwin
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
Angela Bulloch
Olafur Eliasson
Jenny Holzer
Keith Sonnier
Gunda Foerster
Ben Rubin
• Pacing & Schedule:
Date
Sept. 29/30
Oct. 1/2
Activities
Introduction to
project.
Brainstorm and
Sketch.
Review sketches.
Demo. Begin
What to Bring
Sketchbook
Due
IP: Complete
sketches
Sketchbook
Sketches due (30
points)
Oct. 3
Oct. 6/7
Oct. 8
Oct. 9/10
Oct. 13/14
Oct. 20/21
Oct. 22/23
Oct. 24
Oct. 27/28
Oct. 29/30 & 31
Construction
sculpture
Benchmark
Vocabulary
Review
Work Day –
Continue to work
on sculpture
Benchmark
Review
NO CLASS
Benchmarks (A1A2 & B1 – B2)
BENCHMARKS
Independent
Project maquette
due
Work Day –
Continue to work
on sculpture
Work Day –
Continue to work
on sculpture
Work Day –
Continue to work
on sculpture
(Norris’s Last
Day)
Final Work Day –
Finish work on
sculpture
Critique Day
Sketchbook/Materials
Sketchbook/Materials Benchmark
Review due
Sketchbook/Materials
NO CLASS
Maquette
IP Maquette
Sketchbook/Materials
Sketchbook/Materials
Sketchbook/Materials
Sketchbook/Materials
Complete Illuminated
Bamboo sculpture
Sculpture (100
points)
Notes:
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