Wire Balance Sculptures with Calder

OBJECTIVE: Students will observe and create kinetic balance in artwork. After studying the artist Calder, Students will Plan and create a wire and foam core sculpture in perfect balance 

INTRODUCTION: (Anticipatory set): 

Art Link: 

Think, Pair, Share on balance 

In your sketchbook: draw an example of balance in nature (organic balance) 

How have we used Balance in our artwork to date 

KEY VOCABULARY: Mobile, Armature, Stable, Kinetic Movement, Actual Movement, Balance and emphasis

MATERIALS: 

14 gauge wire (Dick Blick)

7x11 piece of Foam Core

1 Large Rock: Lowes Large Beach rock $10 a bag

Blue, Red, White, Black, and Yellow Acrylic Paint. 

Artists/Art History: Alexander Calder  (1898 – 1976)

American sculptor and artist

Expressionist Movement 

Studied mechanical engineering

Famous for inventing the mobile. 

Alexander Calder also created paintings, lithographs, toys, tapestry and jewelry.

1930's and 1940's trace the sculptor's early roots in Surrealism. 

Random and spontaneous expression was emphasized as a way to release the subconscious impulse into art. 

Calder used continuous line drawing which he adapted to his innovative wire sculptures such as "Goldfish Bowl”

Project Requirements: 

Plan and create balance sculpture with actual movement in the style of Calder

Sketchbook: 

Plan design of the sculpture. Consider: 

Wire structure

Color

Shape

Balance

Final Project

Stable is balanced and well structured

Shape Disks are in the style of Calder and well painted

No paint strokes present, shape disks, and rock

The sculpture is balanced from all sides

The sculpture has detail and precision (stable, wire, paint, balance)

The sculpture has actual kinetic movement

Assessment: 

Informal: Small group written critique

Formal: Artist Statement

Formal: Grading final sculpture

CA STANDARDS: 

• Prof.VA:Cr3.1: Apply relevant criteria from traditional and contemporary cultural contexts to examine, reflect on, and plan revisions for works of art and design in progress.
• Prof.VA:Pr5: Analyze and evaluate the reasons and ways an exhibition is presented.
• Prof.VA:Re7.1: Hypothesize ways in which art influences perception and understanding of human experiences.
• Prof.VA:Re8: Interpret an artwork or collection of works, supported by relevant and sufficient evidence found in the work and its various contexts.

Modifications: 

English Language Learner: Handout for project, project samples, Power point with visuals, Critique for additional understanding, Demonstration of techniques, group activities to check for understanding

Special Needs: Handout for project, project samples, Power point with visuals, Critique for additional understanding, Demonstration of techniques

Accelerated Learner: Expand on skills learned to create a unique project. 

Advanced art students will be asked to increase the difficulty of their final sculpture They will also be expected incorporate more details and principles into the final project

Scaffolding adaptations: 

Students will revisit Balance and emphasis from previous learning. We will use similar visuals to refresh earlier learning.  Notes on Art history, Key Vocabulary and artists will be taken throughout discussions for added understanding. Creating sketchbook plans and Constructing final sculpture will be demo started in class using guided instruction. 

INSTRUCTION: 

Students will receive details about Calder, Balance, Stables and Mobiles

DIRECT INSTRUCTION:

Day 1: PowerPoint Presentation Op Art

Opening: Art Link: Balance

Draw a picture of balance in Nature 

Draw a second example of balance using shape and line

How have we used balance in class to date

Critique: Describe, analyze, interpret

Discussion: Alexander Calder & Impact on culture

ART HISTORY: 

The mobile is a kinetic sculpture delicately balanced or suspended components with actual movement

Kinetic: moving parts, depends on motions for the effect

Powered by

Wind

Motor

Viewer

Indirect Instruction

Video of the circus

Describe what you saw. 

What thoughts do you have on this artwork?

Given the opportunity, what aspect of the circus would you want to interact with directly? 

How does this work relate to Calder’s Mobiles? 

Teacher Models: 

Movement and Art History

Students take notes in their sketchbooks 

Teacher Monitors throughout the discussion

DIRECT INSTRUCTION:

Alexander Calder  (1898 – 1976)

American sculptor and artist

Expressionist movement

Studied mechanical engineering

Famous for inventing the mobile 

He also created paintings, lithographs, toys and jewelry

Calder’s stationary sculptures are called stabiles

1930's and 1940's trace the sculptor's early roots in Surrealism. 

Random and spontaneous expression was emphasized as a way to release the subconscious impulse into art. 

Calder used continuous line drawing which he adapted to his innovative wire sculptures such as "Goldfish Bowl.” 

Balance gives viewers the feeling that all parts of the work are in equilibrium  

All paintings and sculptures in galleries and museums are balanced in some way.  

Two basic forms of balance 

symmetrical 

asymmetrical

Symmetrical

To determine the basic balance of an artwork, draw an imaginary line down the center

If what happens on one side generally happens on the other, we say the work is symmetrical.  

The illustration above simplifies symmetry’s basic organization.

Asymmetrical balance will also give a sense of equilibrium

The organization is more complex.  

Just as you and your heavier seesaw partner had to figure out how to arrange yourselves on the seesaw

The artist must play with the specific elements to bring them into balance.

Check for Understanding: 

Monitor room during Pre-assessment in a sketchbook

Monitor throughout the discussion to be sure notes are being taken 

Presentation assessment

FINAL PROJECT: Students will Plan and create a wire and foam core sculpture in perfect balance 

Day 2: Art Link 

Quiet writing in a sketchbook

Calder: What did he invent?

Why was he dissatisfied as an artist early in his career?

Name and describe one activity from the video?

What makes his sculptures special?

Sketchbook Planning

Students receive handouts on Calder and Rock

Students plan their wire sculptures

Plan Shapes

Plan Balance

Day 3: Sketchbook Planning 

Once approved

Student will receive 

Rocks

Wire

Foam Core 

Studio: Begin to construct sculptures

Day 4: Art Link: http://whitney.org/WatchAndListen/Artists?play_id=856

Take notes for artist statement

important to note how the circus influences his body of work

Studio: Continue to Balance