Weighty

Concepts

Volume / Mass / Density

Critique & Due date:

February 18

There is a whole tradition in sculpture where volume, density and mass are almost the same thing. That if
something is big then we need to sense how heavy it is, and how dense it is, and how massive it is. I
want to try to take some of these and change the relationships. -Liz Larner
All objects can be evaluated/perceived in terms of
volume, mass, and density, among other criteria. An
objects particular volume, mass and density allow us
to differentiate between it and other objects. These
properties are inseparable from the objects artists
create and from the way we exist in physical space
with them. Our perceptions of an object are largely
determined by the artists choices of materials and
forms and how they are used. An object may look
incredibly heavy but in actuality be very lightweight,
and vice versa. What choices can be made in the
creation of an object that will affect its visual or
psychological weight in addition to its physical mass
density and volume? These properties are very
important in object-making and determine how a
viewer will perceive your object.
Parameters: You will be working with w ood to create
tw o different structures. One of them will consider
heaviness and the other, lightness. It doesnt have to
be physically heavy to look heavy, or be physically
light in weight to appear light. You may choose to
contradict the viewers perception in your sculpture.
When creating something to look heavy or look light,
the relationships between volume, mass, and density
become essential.

4 Part Project:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

wood exercise
research (record in sketchbook)
readings with response
Ideas
maquettes
Two Sculptures

In this project you will be asked to

consider mass, density and volume in
relation to the two objects you
create. You will end the project with
two sculptures based on the ideas of

Volume:
1) The amount of space occupied by a threedimensional
object
or
region
of
space,
expressed in cubic units.
2) A quantity, bulk, or amount; as in the
volume of an elephants body; a volume of gas.
Mass:
1)
An
enclosed area
of
three-dimensional
substance.
2) A unified body of matter with no specific
shape: a mass of clay. The mass of an object is
not dependent on gravity and therefore is
different from but proportional to its weight.
3) A large quantity or number.
4) Bulk; size
5) The main part.
Density:

For this project you may use ANY wood materialso

1) The quality or state of being dense.
get creative with the types of wood or wood-based
2) The mass per unit volume of a substance under
specified conditions of pressure and
materials you would like to use. Think about the
temperature.
different types and forms of wood: plywood, lumber,
3) Ratio of the mass of an object to its volume.
toothpicks, sticks, pencils, hardwoods (oak, maple
The quantity of something per unit measure,
especially per unit length, area or volume.
and walnut), softwoods (bass wood, balsa), saw dust,
4) The degree of physical opacity of a medium or
etc. Although each of you will be working with wood,
material, as of a photographic negative.
make the material your own. Each sculpture must
demonstrate concepts of mass, volume and density and at least one specific process of joining your
materials: clamps, screws, glue, rope, wood joints, etc. The forms however must be primarily wood. The
structures and process you choose for each form will demonstrate the concept heaviness and lightness
you are working with for each sculpture. Each sculpture must not exceed 24 in any direction.
Gravity and Buoyancy

Fall 2014

University of Florida

Erin Curry

1 of 3

Part
I
EXERCISES
Due
W 2.04
II
RESEARCH
ARTISTS

III
READING
RESPONSE
IV
PROJECT
IDEAS
due:
M 2.02

Design and make a spoon (consider

possibilities of heaviness and lightness)
List
15 kinds of wood material (not paper)
20 ways to manipulate
15 ways to join
Test different combinations and bring in
3 samples, make them really interesting!
You are building a vocabulary for the
whole class to learn from, we dont want
repeats!
Research three of the artists listed on the
last page
and work out 3 different preliminary
ideas in sketchbook
Read all the articles and w atch all the
videos. Choose one of the sets below
and write a response 1-1 pages typed.
Essentially it is a summary and your
response to the article or interview. You
must relate the article or articles to your
current or intended approach to
materials or concepts within your art
practice. We will discuss these in class.
Participation is a portion of your final
grade and class discussions are an
excellent opportunity to make your
presence known. Due: Reading
discussion and reading response. (see
site for .pdfs)

1. Schjeldahl, Peter, The Structure of Who: Jackie Winsors Sculpture.

Sobel, Dean, Title: Jackie Winsor. Dean Sobel with essays by Peter Schjeldahl and
John Yau. Published: Milwaukee, Wis.: Milwaukee Art Museum, c1991.
ARCH/FINE ARTS LIB-- NB237.W55A4 1991
and 3 min VIDEO on Jackie Winsor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn4D4eQxeMU
2. Anish K apoor at the Guggenheim: The Dimensions of Memory Sculpture
Magazine Jan/Feb 2010 by Jan Garden Castro p. 26-27
and 7min VIDEO on Anish Kapoor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwL06rp_hI
3. Shigeo Toya and K imeo Tsuchiya from A Primal Spirit : ten contemporary
Japanese sculptors (.pdf)
and VIDEO on Ursula von Ry dingsvard (see class site)

Gravity and Buoyancy

Fall 2014

University of Florida

Erin Curry

2 of 3

Part III
Maquettes
&Project
Proposal
due:
W 2.09

Part IV
Project
&
Artist
Statement
due:
2.18

Remember:
Document
your work

You will create 3 maquettes out of wood. A maquette is a three dimensional thumbnail
sketch. Maquettes are an opportunity to put your ideas to form in a
preliminary/investigative manner before investing time/materials and energy into the final
work. It is a helpful way to work out scale issues, determine proportions and visualize
potential materials. As with your project, your maquettes must be constructed out of wood
and include at least one joining mechanism, although you are free to transform the
material in any way you wish.
Your project proposals must be typed and include:
1) A paragraph or two outlining your concept, 2) a description of the object you will make,
3) materials and sources, 4) a projected timeline and expected number of hours to spend
each day, 5) drawing and sketches, 6) related research including artist and other work.

Summary: Two sculptures, one dealing with lightness, one with heaviness. Use
wood with some sort of connector(s)/joining process(es). Consider the properties
of mass, volume, and density and relate them to your two objects as a starting
point.
You must complete a typed, double-spaced artist statement for each project that
is no more than a page in length. Guidance and class time will be provided to help
you get your statement in order if need be. The statement should address the
central concepts and themes of your work and briefly explain how you have
fulfilled the goals and objectives of the project. You should also mention research
that influenced your project and explain its significance. The research is meant to
allow you the opportunity to learn more about things that interest you. Consider
your statement as another opportunity to captivate your viewer. Statements should
be well written, fluid, and concise.
Due 2.18 Your project completely installed before class begins, title card if
necessary, and artist statement to hand in.

S KE TC H BO O K Using this list, research three artists for your artist research. Refer to
Sketchbook handout for guidelines:
A rt is t L i st : Ursula von rydingsvard, Richard Serra, Claes Oldenburg. Leonardo Drew,
Tony/Anthony Cragg, Eva Hesse. Jackie Winsor , Liz Larner, Richard Deacon, Andy
Goldsworthy , Stephen Talasnik, Martin Puryear, Chris Drury, Constantine Brancusi, Mario
Merz, Isamu Noguchi, Mark de Suvero , Carl Andre, Anthony Gormley, Louise Bourgeois, John
Chamberlain , Walter De Maria , Naum Gabo, Mona Hatoum, Babara Hepworth, Donald Judd, Tara
Donovan, Anish Kapoor, Wolfgang Laib , Liz Larner, Robert Morris , Ernesto Neto, James
Turell, Rachel Whiteread,

Gravity and Buoyancy

Fall 2014

University of Florida

Erin Curry

3 of 3