Additive sculpture, armature, form, structure, visual presentation, visual unity, craftsmanship. Over time students collect hundreds of aluminum cans, coat hangers, and other wire. A large storage box can be placed in the art room for this purpose. Share the varied contributions of sculptor Alexander Calder seen in his beautifully articulated floating mobile structures, the simple dynamic shapes found in his stables, and his other bold two dimensional images seen in print. His Only Only Bird sculpture created in 1952 is a catalyst for this project.
Students begin by researching and drawing a series of bird images in their sketch books.
As they note the shapes, color, and overall varied structures found in tropical birds they create a series of preliminary sketches showing both the form of the bird and its varied parts. These sketches serve to develop the observational drawing skill levels and increase visual awareness of the chosen subject. With the awareness of an actual structure the artist can then use this information to distort or exaggerate the form in expressive ways. Students are encouraged to create fanciful, whimsical sculptures based on the structure of birds. Students begin the construction process using a compass or an awl to puncture the aluminum can before regular classroom scissors are used for cutting shapes.