The Ins and Outs of Paper Sculpting

Paper Sculpting Links

1. Paper Sculpting Basics Project

Create your own "11 useful techniques for working with paper", as shown in the picture. Use a 9x12 sheet of Black construction paper for your base and white drawing paper or cardstock for sculpting (this is what you'll mount to your base).
Goal: experiment and practice paper sculpting techniques and how to manipulate paper as a sculpting media.

Materials: Black Construction paper (9x12), Drawing Paper (9x12), glue stick, white glue, cutting supplies, something to write with. 
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Requirements:
1. Use all of your drawing paper- even the scraps
2. Apply a variety of Techniques to fill your space on your project (the more you do the higher your score will likely be)
3. Demonstrate High Level of Craftsmanship
  • Be mindful of writing/font
  • Overall Clean/neatness of presentation
    • Edges cut/folded cleanly
3.Creativity Challenge (Optional)
  • Be mindful of overall design and layout. Taking a minute to plan where and how stuff will go can make a big difference.
  • Make it without using any Cutting Tools!

#2 Book-Arts Mini Projects

Book Art is the field of art that involves the creation of works that use or refer to structural and conceptual properties of books. We're going to use Book-arts as a way to explore paper sculpture as well as the art of visual storytelling through sculpture. Before we jump into all that, it's helpful to just learn some basics about how to make some simple art-books.

Project Instructions:
Each day focus on building the 2 basic structures demonstrated in class, then use the remaining time in class to add embellishments to one of them. Once all of the structures are made, you'll take pictures and submit them in a single document to Canvas.

#1 Accordion

#2 Tunnel

Option 1 will be demonstrated in class.

#3 French+Turkish Fold Book

French Fold Instructions:
Picture

#4 Carousel Book

Note they're usually show off better and make more room for things if you leave the "top" off.

#5 Simple Pop-up Structures

​Watch the video and apply these techniques to the book bases you have made (Accordion book, Tunnel Book, and/or Carousel Book. You will have 2 work days for these, make as many as you can! This is all about practicing these techniques ;-)

#6 Paper Box

Make 2 different types of lidded boxes. Follow the instructions given in the videos below. Extra Credit if you figure out how to make a lidded box that will fit all the examplet books you've made so far ;-)

# 3 THE Paper Sculpting Project

Miao Fishing Contest
edition of 50, 2018
 Photographic Accordian Pop-up Book,
40.5x7.75x3.5" open, 6x7.5x1" closed
Ultrachrome HD Pigment Ink on Ultra-Premium Presentation Matte, Cardstock, Indigo Wax Resist Fabric, Binder's Board, Bone Clasp, Acid-free Adhesives
Artist's Statement: he Miao revere spirits of the natural world and depict them in their embroidery. They use papercutting to create embroidered stories on their clothing to protect themselves and their children. Fish represent their ancestors and also symbolize the wish for many sons and good fortune. During their fishing competitions, the more fish caught, the more luck someone will have. The Miao have a saying, "Birds nest in trees, fish swim in rivers, Miao live in mountains."

Project Requirements

  1. The main goal with this project will be to experiments with perception of Space and using space as a metaphor. The main media skills to use for this project are paper sculpting. What that metaphor is, is up to you to decide.
  2. Project must be made mainly out of paper
  3. Project needs to collapse or parts must fit inside a container you construct. It needs to be able to easily transport and set up.
  4. Be mindful of how your project is intended to be viewed and interacted with by an audience.
  • You are wellcome to find pre made templates and patterns to use BUT you need to do something to modify them.
  • As always you are welcome to modify and change directions with your ideas as you go but you will still need to keep up with the timeline and due dates.

Project Timeline

Part 1: Pre-Project Planning (100pts; Due Before Nov. 20th)
  • Need to demonstrate the following:
    • Brainstorming***
    • Research***- need to cite your sources (google is NOT a source- it's a search engine.
    • Sketches- need to show what what it will look like, how you plan to make it, and describe how your metaphor is being represented in your project.
    • *** Use Brainstorming and Research to help develop and expand your ideas for your project. How you use them is up to you. The Project Pre-planning packet can be used as an example
Part 2: Pitching your Idea (50pts, Nov. 20th in class)
  • Need to explain and show to a group
    • What your metaphor is
    • How it relates to space
    • How you plan to make your project
  • As an audience member you need to:
    • Help the presenter get their ideas stronger
    • Can only respond to presenter by asking them questions.
Part 3: Creating your Project (100pts; Nov. 24-December 11th)
Part 4: Final presentation of Project (50pts -Artist Statement; Dec. 14 and 50pts-Group Critique; Dec 16th)