Book transformation
Goal: Transformations in art have been a standard of modern and contemporary art for decades. Taking a common object and creating a meaningful work of art is a method of expression and exploration that will help you to think "outside the box." In this assignment, you will take a common object, a book, and turn it into a three-dimensional work of art.
Essential Questions: What are your thoughts about mixed media art? How do you think an object can be transformed by using only itself to make a work of art? In your opinion, can a recognizable object be turned into something else and still retain it's meaning?
Activity 1- sketching: By using mind maps and thumbnail sketches, determine the best course of action for your book to transform. How can you use this object (pages, binding, covers) to make something else? What is your central theme/concept? What message are you trying to convey, and how will you convey it?
Activity 2- deconstruction: After getting approval from your instructor(s) to move forward with your project, carefully calculate how your book needs to be disassembled to create your final product. DO NOT JUMP IN AND START RIPPING WITH NO PLAN. This can lead to big problems as you have only the one book with which to work. Questions to ask; what do I cut, what do I rip, What do I drill? What do I glue, paint, draw, etc? What other materials will I need to add to achieve my goal?
Activity 3- reconstruction: Once you have the raw materials chosen and prepared, it's time to start building! Take your time and be understanding that not every attempt will work the first time. Persevere through challenges and if you get really stuck, do not hesitate to ask you instructor(s) or peers for help and opinions (Critiques do not only have to happen at the end of your process). Also, be prepared for your original concept to change with "happy accidents;" those interesting flubs that yield a new approach you may not have thought of before!
Activity 4 - Finish and present: Once you have the project going in the direction you want, take your time and do not charge toward the finish line! After you have placed your finishing touches and considered highly every detail and how it affects the viewer from all sides, the class will critique each other's works. Find positives and possible improvements to each other's works.
Last but not least... Reflect upon your work and the process of its creation. (See rubric and reflection graphic organizer below).
Essential Questions: What are your thoughts about mixed media art? How do you think an object can be transformed by using only itself to make a work of art? In your opinion, can a recognizable object be turned into something else and still retain it's meaning?
Activity 1- sketching: By using mind maps and thumbnail sketches, determine the best course of action for your book to transform. How can you use this object (pages, binding, covers) to make something else? What is your central theme/concept? What message are you trying to convey, and how will you convey it?
Activity 2- deconstruction: After getting approval from your instructor(s) to move forward with your project, carefully calculate how your book needs to be disassembled to create your final product. DO NOT JUMP IN AND START RIPPING WITH NO PLAN. This can lead to big problems as you have only the one book with which to work. Questions to ask; what do I cut, what do I rip, What do I drill? What do I glue, paint, draw, etc? What other materials will I need to add to achieve my goal?
Activity 3- reconstruction: Once you have the raw materials chosen and prepared, it's time to start building! Take your time and be understanding that not every attempt will work the first time. Persevere through challenges and if you get really stuck, do not hesitate to ask you instructor(s) or peers for help and opinions (Critiques do not only have to happen at the end of your process). Also, be prepared for your original concept to change with "happy accidents;" those interesting flubs that yield a new approach you may not have thought of before!
Activity 4 - Finish and present: Once you have the project going in the direction you want, take your time and do not charge toward the finish line! After you have placed your finishing touches and considered highly every detail and how it affects the viewer from all sides, the class will critique each other's works. Find positives and possible improvements to each other's works.
Last but not least... Reflect upon your work and the process of its creation. (See rubric and reflection graphic organizer below).
Wagnalls Wheel by Brian Dettmer
| book_transformation_rubric.docx |
| reflection_visual.docx |
