Introduction to Sculpture
edu
ART255-01 M+T 1:20-4:10 Binns Merrill SB01
Course Description
This course will focus on individual creative development
using both traditional and nontraditional three-dimensional
materials. We will cover a wide range of techniques and
materials, including wood construction, metal fabrication,
mold making and casting. Because so many different
materials will be explored, your instructor is guaranteed not
to have all the answers! The answer to a question you
encounter may be found in a classmate, in the library, on
the Internet, or through trial and error. As a result, a large
part of this class will focus on conducting individual
research, presenting your research to the class, and
participating in group discussions. In addition to the physical
exploration of contemporary sculptural practices, we will
also discuss their relationship to art history and theory,
philosophy, politics, and current events.
While acquiring fundamental skills in many different media,
you will be given the freedom within some assignments to
decide which material, process or presentation method to
employ. Many decisions must be made throughout the
creative process, and it is best to make them with
awareness and intention. This course will emphasize the
careful consideration of material choice, craft, form, space,
site, presentation, and context in regards to conceptual
reasoning. For instance, why would you choose to cast an
object in wax instead of concrete? What do specific
materials or forms communicate because of their innate
characteristics or associations? How does your
relationship to an object change when it is placed on a
pedestal vs. sat on the floor?
This class will also focus on working towards establishing
safe studio and shop practices. In addition to our
classroom, you will also be given access to the wood shop,
metal fabrication shop, and paper studio. You are expected
to respect yourself, your peers, and the tools and facilities.
These facilities are shared, and it is extremely important to
abide by the rules of operation and follow mandated clean-
up procedures.
Required Materials
The following list of materials must be purchased as soon
as possible and brought to every class or kept in your
locker. Additional materials will need to be purchased
throughout the semester based upon the needs of your
individual projects. Remember that financial limitations can
often inspire creative solutions, so they will not be
considered valid excuses for mediocre work.
sketchbook
x-acto knife or box cutter and blades
safety glasses
work gloves
clamp light and 65W soft white flood light bulb
measuring tape (12 ft.)
jump drive or external hard drive
Please also bring the following items to class on a regular
basis if you happen to own one:
laptop, digital camera
Instructor: Alicia Eggert, eggert@alfred.
TA: Jonas Lindberg, JDL8@alfred.edu
Class Blog: introtosculpture2010.blogspot.com
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class
period. Success in a studio art class is dependent upon
your participation in the studio activities and interaction
with other students. This cannot occur if you are not in
class. Therefore, this attendance policy will be strictly
enforced.
You are allowed two unexcused absences. The third
unexcused absence will result in the lowering of a full letter
grade at the end of the semester. Four absences will result
in the lowering of two full letter grades. Five unexcused
absences will result in the failure of the course.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you
have missed and what you need to prepare for the next
class. In addition to contacting the instructor, you should
also contact one of your classmates to find out about any
assignments not indicated on the course outline.
Critiques
As extended projects are completed, we will discuss all the
work as a group. Despite the title, critique sessions are not
intended to be forums for demeaning criticism. Neither are
they meant to focus on what one likes or dislikes. They are
to assist you in your creative development by providing
focused opportunities for you to verbalize your reasoning
and intentions, and for fellow classmates and instructors to
share their individual perspectives and knowledge. Critiques
in a studio class take the place of exams and quizzes in a
lecture course. Attendance is critical and required. Not only
are no make ups allowed, they are not possible.
Project Documentation
Documentation is a very important aspect of art making
and will be a crucial component to this class. Most often, a
viewer will not be able to travel to see an artist’s work in
person, but will instead see an image of it in a book or on
the Internet. Because of this, it is important for work to be
well documented in order for it to exist beyond the limits of
a specific place and time.
You will be required to photograph each of your projects
and post 1-3 digital images on the class blog. This
documentation will be viewed during your individual critiques
at midterms and finals, and will affect your final grade. If you
do not own or have access to a digital camera, or have
trouble editing or uploading your images, it is your
responsibility to ask for assistance.
Presentations
Each student will be assigned a specific material, process,
or sculptural genre to research that relates to topics and
techniques explored in this class. In order to share your
research with your peers, you will be required to give a10-
minute slide presentation. You will also be required to write
a one-page paper that summarizes your research.
 where “the idea becomes a machine that makes the art”
– Sol Lewitt

Sketchbooks Required Readings

You will be expected to conduct your own research during
the planning phase of each assignment. Your research and
process should be documented in the form of a personal
sketchbook, which can include notes and journal entries,
sketches, and images you find inspirational or of your work
in process. Your sketchbook will be reviewed by the
instructors throughout the semester in order for us to
better understand your creative intentions, and thus will
play an important role in the evaluation and grading of your
projects.
Field Trips
During the semester, this class will go on several short
outings to explore industries in the local area. We will visit
manufacturers of lumber, wax and steel in order to learn
about where these materials come from and how they are
made. These mini field trips will be conducted during class
time. Please let your instructor know if you have a car and
are willing to drive.
There is no required text for the class. Instead, you will be
assigned readings from various sources related to the
topics covered within the assignments. Interesting
conversations result when everyone reads critically, comes
to class prepared, and openly joins the dialogue. An excellent
discussion is one where the group questions assumptions
and works on developing a higher level of understanding of
the material at hand.
Grading and Evaluation
Grades will be based on completed projects, class
participation and enthusiasm, project documentation, and
involvement in class critiques. Lack of respect for studio
rules and cleanliness will adversely affect your grade.
Individual projects will be graded based on the following
criteria. The specific value placed on craftsmanship, concept
and presentation will vary with each assignment.

This class will also pay for an overnight field trip to Time/Dedication/Research 20%
Pittsburgh, PA, where we will visit institutions such as the Craftsmanship 10-30%
Andy Warhol Museum, the Mattress Factory, and Carnegie Concept 10-30%
Mellon University. Transportation, accommodations, and Presentation 10-20%
admissions fees will be provided. Please reserve the Documentation 10%
following date in your calendar, and let your instructor know Participation in Critique 10%
if you will not be able to attend: Total 100%
12PM Friday, March 19 – 11PM Saturday, March 20
th th

ADA Information
Lectures & Workshops (Americans with Disabilities Act)
As an extension of the class, you will be asked to attend If you are a student with a documented disability and you
several of the School of Art and Design lectures and need accommodations, please make an appointment with
activities. We will use these important presentations as the Director of Student Affairs.
points of discussion in class.

In addition, you will also be required to participate in the

following workshops. Please make note of the following
dates in your calendar, and let your instructor know if you
will not be able to attend:

Wood Shop Safety Training with Eric Ewald

8AM Sunday, January 24 th

(meet at the wood shop and bring your safety glasses)

Photo Documentation Workshop with Mike Fleming

1PM Saturday, February 6 th

(meet in the classroom and bring your digital camera and

clamp light)

Public Exhibition
As a class, we will be applying to participate in a public
outdoor exhibition in a vacant lot on the Main Street in
Wellsville. This exhibition will provide you with an opportunity
to share your individual work with the greater community,
as well as curate and install the show with your classmates.
Show dates, theme and details are to be determined.