Day 1 Intro and Assignment 1: Cantilever Creative Design

Great class today.  I gave you a lot of information for you to ponder.  And only day 1 right!    Lets deconstruct the class:

When speaking in 3 dimensions, remember we are talking dimensions of height, width and depth. (2 dimensional art is centric to only height and width).  We spoke about relief in 3 dimensional work, which will be a future assignment.  Relief is the raising of 3 dimensional form from a flat background. High relief is referred to when forms are fully off the flat surface to protrude into the environment and Bas relief is the shallowest form of relief.  Work can be viewed from a frontal view ("One Sided Work")  or  Full Round - viewed from all sides.




Assignment #1
The Cantilever

1.    5 images of Cantilevers in sketchbook

2.    Build a Cantilever with found objects, being informed by your sketches. 

3.     Research:  Seek out ideas from Leonardo’s Machines, look at cantilevers around your environment.

Definition:
Cantilever: (1) projecting structure such as a beam that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length; (2) a member such as a beam that procjets beyond a fulcrum and is supported by a balancing member or a downward force behind the fulcrum.

The Cantilever is one of the most important components in building and construction to get.  Cantilevers are all around us - bridges, signs, towers, aircraft, etc.
Basically, it is a overhanging beam, that is anchored only at one end.  The beam carries the load to the support where it is forced against by a moment and shear stress.  More importantly, it allows for overhanging structures without external bracing, and can be constructed with trusses or slabs.  A Cantilever contrast is the Post and Lentel system (this is where a beam is supported at both ends).

Problem to be solved:
To create a Cantilever made with found objects.   Found objects are stuff you  find around your house, in your garbage that kinda looks interesting.  You will build a cantilever from the stuff you find.  This could be popsicle sticks, pieces of metal, handle of something, plastic, nuts and bolts, etc. anything you find interesting looking.  This should be simple construction

 The problem is with creating a good design  with consideration to balance, good aesthetics (remember this term?), space, color, (review Elements and Properties list below).  You can secure your items with bolts and screws, wire, glue, needle and thread, pins, tape - of course that is or can be a problem because it should correspond with the materials that you use.

Methodology in this assignment = Additive Method
def. a sculptural method in which form is created by building up materials.  This method encompasses many contemporary materials and techniques such as assemblage of objects from wood, metals, plastic, adhesives, fasteners, etc.

These are things all builders think of.  During this term you are a builder.

Don't fret too much about this.  The purpose is to be creative about your findings, glean insight on construction, materials, easy slide into art making.  I know that many of you do not come from a construction background and may feel uncomfortable about this.  Trust me, you will develop in making skills as well as hopefully, creation ability -  for you computer folks - this is in the Analogue territory!  Although the computer can help alot in gleaning ideas.

Have fun with this.

Size:  any size.

Tips:  Keep it simple








PROPERTIES AND ELEMENTS

Elements:                                  Properties: (unified with the Elements:
•Line                                       Repetition, variety, rhythm, balance, emphasis

•Space

•Form

•Texture

•Light

•Color

•Time