Zimmerman, Ceramics I

MUSIC INSPIRED

SCULPTURE
URE

OBJECTIVE Design + construct a 10 inch abstract three-dimensional sculpture inspired

by a song, using original imagery, negative space, texture, and detail.
REFERENCES Piet Mondrian, Henri Matisse, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Pablo
Picasso
PLANNING + SKETCHES
1. What is the title of your song? ________________________ Artist
___________________________
2. What type of music is it (pop, classical, instrumental, techno, rap, etc.)
________________________
3. List three things you think of (objects, feelings, events) when listening to this song
and draw a picture of a shape or pattern representing each.
a. IDEA #1: __________________

VISUAL INTERPRETATION/SKETCH:

b. IDEA #2: __________________

VISUAL INTERPRETATION/

SKETCH:

c. IDEA #3: __________________

VISUAL INTERPRETATION/SKETCH:

4. Sketch your ABSTRACT (simplified or distorted imagery)

sculpture design that represents your song of choice. Show all angles.
Front
Top
view:

Side

view:

view:

STUDIO PROCESS
5. To practice, make a maquette (tiny model) of your form using a tennis ball sized
piece of clay. Build solid and use it as a 3D sketch for reference when building large
sculpture.
6. Get approval on maquette and create a 3D large scale sculpture (10+ in) following
the steps below.
a. Use slabs, coils, and pinching , then attach pieces by scoring and slipping.
b. Build solid, then carve out from bottom OR cut in half, carve out, + reattach
for walls that are even inch thickness.

Zimmerman, Ceramics I

c. Poke a needle sized hole in bottom for trapped air to escape

d. Create textures (surface treatment) and build/carve details on at least the
surface.
e. Clean up craft once leather hard and carve initials on bottom.
Detailed
drawing of
project

MUSIC INSPIRED SCULPTURE

RUBRIC + REFLECTION
Name__________________________
Period_________
Date__________

Directions: Evaluate your project checking the appropriate

WHITE boxes & turn-in with completed project.
self-evaluation 10 -9
teacher-evaluation Exceeds

8-7
6-5
4 -0
Meets
Approaches Incomplete
Expectations Expectations Expectations

PROBLEM SOLVING
Created an ABSTRACT sculpture representing
a song
CREATIVITY
Use of original imagery
Personalized interpretation of song
DESIGN
Use of negative space
Use of the Principles of Design (balance,
rhythm, unity, contrast, emphasis, visual
movement)
Intentional textures
TECHNIQUE + CRAFT
Stable construction
Details + textures on surface
Intentional surface treatment
Even walls, inch thickness
Smooth joints (no bumps/cracks)
PARTICIPATION
Effective use of class time (attendance,
punctuality, clean-up, responsibility, respect)
Teacher Grade __/50 x2 = ___ /100
1) What song did you use for inspiration?
________________________________________________
2) How did you represent this song in your design?
_________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3) What is the most successful part of your project? EXPLAIN.
________________________________

Zimmerman, Ceramics I

________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
4) What could be improved? EXPLAIN.
___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________