5 Part Project:

The
Cube

1. Material Studies 2. Mitered Cube 3. Readings & Responses 4. Typed Proposal 5. 5 Cube Sculptures the project ends with five sculptures based on ideas of materiality

Due date:

March

20th

Introductio n:
The cube played an important part in the development of minimalism in the early 1960s and in post-minimalism in the late 1960s. Its influence is still pervasive today. The cube can provide you with a platonic form and a space where you can experiment with materials, processes, and concepts within certain architectural parameters. Project Goal: To construct five cubes in five different materials with one concept.

Project:
Five cubes; Five materials; One concept. The main goal of this project is an emphasis on material studies and experimentation (in both material and construction). Each cube must be made from primarily a different material than the other four and be between 6x6x6 and 7x7x7. Think outside the box is a found object a material? Can a material be considered different from another by a state change? Does everything have to be permanent? Can a cube be formed by another cube? Does a cube have to exist in real space to be a cube? Be ambitious, experiment.

!Shaping Space and Form

| Spring 2014 | University of Florida | Erin Curry

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Part I Mitered Cube due: Thurs 2.27

For this project you will each complete a mitered wooden cube. This will be constructed in the shop in one class period (Thursday 2.20). If you miss this class you must work in the shop any time M-F 8 - 5 with Brad (on your own time) to complete the project. There will be a demo with Brad and the rest of class time on Thursday for working. Du e : Th ur sday 2 .27 Your research will focus primarily on materials, as a different material must be used for each of your five cubes. First you will create 5 materials studies in the form of 5 tiles (at least 5 x 5). Since this project is about experimentation with different materials, think hard before using glue and tape to construct your cubes. Many of you found different ways to construct objects in the last project; continue this. Also think about other binding agents and methods (wax, plaster, resin, caulking, pins, zippers, snaps, hinges, rope, stitching, folding, scoring, gravity, tension, screws, nails, angle iron, gum, wrapping, etc). Du e : 3 .11 Research each material you use. Where did you encounter it? Where have you seen it before? Where does it come from? What is it usually used for? What does it suggest in myth, history, geography, different cultures, etc? Why are you attracted to it? Take notes in you sketchbook. ***Sk e tch book use is an i nt egral pa rt of an arti st s pr acti ce and of thi s c our se. T he ex er ci se s and brai ns tormi ng i n th e s ke tc hboo k are de sign ed to en ha nc e ide ati on, un de rsta ndi ng o f co nc ept s, an d as a me tho d t o wor k ou t ide as befor e c ommit tin g to th em on a large r sc ale .

Part II Material Studies & Research

due: 3.11

Part III READINGS & RESPONSES due: Tues 3.11 Part IV Typed Proposal due: Wed 3.12

Read On Being Boxed In and Secondary Structures. Choose one article and write a onepage typed response. Include a summary of the key points, your personal reflection on the ideas presented in the article, and a description of the use of the cube by the artist. Be prepared to discuss both articles. Du e : Tu esday 3 .11 . As a professional practice, you will turn in a typed proposal complete with the following components: concept, description of project, material list, timeline, detailed sketches, other imagery, and artist research. If necessary, include actual images of the materials you experimented with. Format your proposal so it is easy to follow. Du e : W edn e sday 3 .1 2 .

I dont think there is anything special about squares, which I dont use, or cubes. They certainly dont have any intrinsic meaning or superiority. One thing though, cubes are a lot easier to make than spheres. The main virtue of geometric shapes is that they are not organic, as all art otherwise is. A form thats neither geometric or organic would be a great discovery.

-Donald Judd

!Shaping Space and Form

| Spring 2014 | University of Florida | Erin Curry

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Part V 5 Sculptures & Artist Statement

due: Thurs 3.20

Five cubes; Five materials; 1 concept. The main goal of this project is an emphasis on material studies and experimentation (in both material and construction). Each cube must be made from primarily a different material than the other four and be between 6x6x6 and 7x7x7. Since this project is about experimentation with different materials, think hard before using glue and tape to construct your cubes. Many of you found different ways to construct objects in the last project; continue this. Also think about other binding agents and methods (wax, plaster, resin, caulking, pins, zippers, snaps, hinges, rope, stitching, folding, scoring, gravity, tension, screws, nails, angle iron, gum, wrapping, etc).

Think outside the box is a found object a material? Can a material be considered different from another by a state change? Does everything have to be permanent? Can a cube be formed by another cube? Does a cube have to exist in real space to be a cube? Be ambitious, experiment. Projects can be designed for the classroom, the critique space, another space in FAC (as long as they do not disrupt traffic or damage walls, ceiling, or floors), or in an appropriate location within the Fine Arts Complex. Your sculptures can be located anywhere in space: on the floor, the walls, between walls, etc. (NOTE: any projects intended for spaces outside the classroom must get prior approval from me). S tate men t: You must bring a typed statement at the beginning of critique that lists each of the five primary materials you used, why you used them, and an explanation of your over-arching concept. You should also mention research that influenced your project and explain its significance. Keep in mind that a well-written statement and concept will never be a substitute for great work your ideas should come across clearly in your work and be articulated well in your statement. All five cubes and typed artist statement are due at the beginning of class for critique on Du e Th u rsday 3. 2 0: Your project completely installed before class begins, title card if necessary, and artist statement to hand in. ***Note: any projects intended for spaces outside the classroom must get prior approval from me to propose the project to the Director of the School of Art + Art History. M ate rial s: you decide, sketchbook for documentation, research materials, and drawing materials. Fishing line and spray paint may not be used without my approval.

!Shaping Space and Form

| Spring 2014 | University of Florida | Erin Curry

3 of 4

Evaluation :
o Ev ol ut io n from proposal to finished work o Cr af ts ma ns hip - Is the work well crafted? Is it presented professionally? Are details attended to? o Ae st he ti c Con ce rn s - Is the work coherent, are you using effective forms of visual communication? o Co nc ep tu al Ri go r - Are you making active, thoughtful choices in material, form, and ideas? o In ve nt iv en ess Developing your ability to solve problems and devise new approaches will help you to achieve not only the course objectives, but also personal goals. New and unusual approaches often lead to discovery in your work. Demonstrate your willingness to move beyond basic requirements and boundaries. Did you take RISKS? Is your voice present in the work? o Pe rs on al I nve st me nt- Did you invest time and mental effort? Did you learn and use new skills? o Su cc es sf ul re so lu ti on o f t he a ss ig ned p ro bl em Did you resolve the assignment in an interesting way? o Ex pe ri me nt ati on within the parameters of the project guidelines. Did your maquettes show diversity and depth? Are the lessons you learned apparent in the final work?

!Shaping Space and Form

| Spring 2014 | University of Florida | Erin Curry

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