57
Gargoyle
In architecture, gargoyles are the carved spouts which
convey water away from the sides of buildings. The
term originates from the French gargouille, originally
the throat or gullet and derives from root gar, to
swallow, the word representing the gurgling sound of
water.
A chimera, or a grotesque figure, is a similar type of
sculpture that does not work as a waterspout and serves
only an ornamental or artistic function. These are also
popularly referred to as gargoyles.
Although most have grotesque features, the term gargoyle has come to include all types
of images. Some gargoyles were depicted as monks, combinations of real animals and
people, many of which were humorous. Unusual animal mixtures, or chimeras, did not
act as rainspouts and are more properly called grotesques. They serve more as
ornamentation, but are now synonymous with gargoyles.
The term gargoyle is most often applied to medieval work, but throughout all ages some
means of throwing the water off of the roof was used. In Egypt, gargoyles ejected the
water used in the washing of the sacred vessels from the roof of the temples. In Greek
temples, the water from roofs passed through the mouths of lions whose heads were
carved or modelled in the marble or terra cotta.
The gargoyle is often looked at as man’s inner
representation of fears that he cannot understand. The
gargoyle's grotesque form was said to scare off evil spirits
so they were used for protection.
Gargoyles, or more precisely chimerae, were used as
decoration on 19th and early 20th century buildings in
cities such as New York (where the Chrysler Building's
stainless steel gargoyles are celebrated), and Chicago.
Gargoyles can be found on many churches and buildings.
One impressive collection of modern gargoyles can be
found at Washington National Cathedral in Washington,
DC. The cathedral begun in 1908 is encrusted with the limestone demons. The 20th
Century collegiate form of the Gothic Revival produced many modern gargoyles, notably
at Princeton University, Duke University and the University of Chicago.
58
Steps in gargoyle design
Read every step before beginning
Sketch your image out using photo references
printed out and brought to class. Make at least three
sketches mixing and matching the pieces of the creatures
that you have.
Once you have your sketches build up an armature
(an underlying skeleton) using cardboard and newspaper.
Make this armature as close to the final size as you can
include horns, claws, tails, etc. Tape the armature
together into a nicely solid piece, but do not mummify the
armature with tape.
Tear apart the paper you will be using, making the
pieces no larger than two inches by two inches. Add in a
handful of the dry paper into the blender. Fill the blender
with water to the line so that the paper is completely
submerged. Use the blender to make the paper into a fine
pulp.
Once the paper is pulped, pour it into the screen and drain the water. Squeeze
additional water out of the slurry (the pulped paper) but do not make it too dry.
Place the slurry into a bowl and add in one part glue and one part wheat paste to
the mixture. Stir this together into a smooth mass. Begin applying the paper mixture to
the armature, molding it into place with your fingers in the final form desired. Continue
modeling the paper mixture into place until your gargoyle is finished.
As a final step, place a layer of varnish over the gargoyle to protect it.
59
Gargoyle worksheet
Turn this in at the beginning of the project
Define the following:
Armature –
Gargoyle –
Grotesque –
Gargouill –
What was one of the purposes of the gargoyle?
What is pulped paper called?
What are at least three 19th and 20th century cities that have gargoyles?
1)
2)
3)
Bonus: What is a sacred vessel called?
60
Self assessment
Turn this into me at the end of the project
Name:
Project: Gargoyle
Check all that apply.
Originality of idea
Design was original, showing creativity
and knowledge of subject matter.
Craftsmanship
Structure is solid and well
crafted with no gaps where
the paper mixture meets.
Problems were solved
creatively and the project
stands by itself without
wobbling or tipping.
Staying on task
Worked everyday
Design was copied directly from an
existing one.
The paper has gaps where
joints meet and is falling off
of the armature. The
structure stands, but tips to
one side
The project does not stand
by itself, has pieces falling
off of it and gaps where the
armature shows through.
The project is messy and/or
sloppy
Worked some days
Hardly worked at all
Your grade:
My grade:
Final grade:
Describe one thing you like about this project and why you like it:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Describe one thing that you would do differently and why:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What were you trying to accomplish or say with this project?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________