Recycled Robots with Clayton Bailey

Two Day Project

Discussion: Form 

Sculpture

Robots

Artist: Clayton Bailey (1939-       )

Born 1939- Clayton G. Bailey is born in Antigo, Wisconsin .

1960- Inspired by the abstract expressionist work of Peter Voulkos, he begins to make ripped and torn ceramic forms, and begins a series of unique "pinch pots". 

Bailey receives a B.S. Degree in Art Education in January 1961, and continues in the Graduate Program. Littleton hires him as studio technician, and instructor of a beginning pottery class.

1962- Bailey receives an M.S. Degree in Art and Art Education. 

His students in ceramics are children aged 4 to 18 years old, and adults of all ages; and his classes meet six days of the week. 

The slogan, "Think Ugly" is painted on the wall of the ceramic shop by one of Bailey's students as a rationalization for the ugly sculptures they are making.

Bailey notes that "beauty" is an attribute of the familiar and the comfortable. The artist, he claims, should seek to discover the new and unusual, and should not strive for beauty.

He moves to Northern California in 1968.

1968-The Funk Art Festival is organized by Bailey and Coelho at U.S.D., Vermillion. California artists Roy DeForest, David Gilhooly, David and Maija Zack are the invited guests.

During the next decades, this toy collection will grow to many hundreds of battery operated space and robot toys.

He is a featured ceramic artist, along with Peter Voulkos, Toshiko Takaezu, and Paul Soldner, in the ABC-TV prime time special; "With These Hands; The American Craftsman", sponsored by the S.C. Johnson Co.

Roy DeForest coins the term "Nut Art", saying that "it has to do with phantasmagoric ideas and fantasies. 

Bailey and friends often meet at the Dairyville Cafe or at the Rainbow House in San Francisco 

He is a panelist for the California Arts Commission Fellowship Program.

For additional information: http://www.claytonbailey.com/

Project: using collected cans create a robot sculpture

Step1: find two matching can legs

Step2: find a body

Step3: Find a head

Step4: help students glue them together

AFTER ALLOWING BODY TO DRY OVERNIGHT: 

Step5: add fun hardware for eyes, hair, body parts (switches) shoes etc...

Materials: 

Recycled cans of all sizes

Clear Silicone glue (Home Depot)

Hardware from around the house

This project was inspired by Jane Hastings Robot artwork for more info on Jane visit her on pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jane_hastings/?d