Let’s Make Snow
From 2D rubbings to 3D mobiles; a lesson in texture, design, sculpture, collaboration and diversity
Students studied snow crystals photographed by Wilson Alwyn Bentley and examined real snowballs in the studio. They collaborated with each other and the teacher to create a large kinetic sculpture. It was comprised of many smaller sculpture mobiles, each made of cool-colored pipe cleaners, oil pastel rubbings and cutouts of coffee paper filters, cupcake papers, candy wrappers and translucent paper. The base of the piece was cotton batting, suspended from the ceiling. Blue yarn strands that softly waved in the air currents of the room were hooked to the base. Students collaborated among themselves to determine where each of their mobile sculptures would be placed, considering the many different levels possible and the placement of other student works. The overall effect suggested a snow shower. It was a magical moment when everyone gathered under the piece to discuss and enjoy the work, which became an artistic metaphor for diversity. We made the connection that a mass of snow is a unique, yet diverse entity, made of many, one-of-a-kind ice crystals, similar to the large class sculpture, made of many unique, individual smaller mobiles which reflected our community. (See photos below.). Another day, students photographed the mobiles and selected a variety of blue tints to enhance the overall color of the photos via computer, further pushing the illusion of snow.
From 2D rubbings to 3D mobiles; a lesson in texture, design, sculpture, collaboration and diversity
Students studied snow crystals photographed by Wilson Alwyn Bentley and examined real snowballs in the studio. They collaborated with each other and the teacher to create a large kinetic sculpture. It was comprised of many smaller sculpture mobiles, each made of cool-colored pipe cleaners, oil pastel rubbings and cutouts of coffee paper filters, cupcake papers, candy wrappers and translucent paper. The base of the piece was cotton batting, suspended from the ceiling. Blue yarn strands that softly waved in the air currents of the room were hooked to the base. Students collaborated among themselves to determine where each of their mobile sculptures would be placed, considering the many different levels possible and the placement of other student works. The overall effect suggested a snow shower. It was a magical moment when everyone gathered under the piece to discuss and enjoy the work, which became an artistic metaphor for diversity. We made the connection that a mass of snow is a unique, yet diverse entity, made of many, one-of-a-kind ice crystals, similar to the large class sculpture, made of many unique, individual smaller mobiles which reflected our community. (See photos below.). Another day, students photographed the mobiles and selected a variety of blue tints to enhance the overall color of the photos via computer, further pushing the illusion of snow.
Creating texture via rubbings.
Imagining.
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Focused sculpting.
Collaborating.
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Student Gallery
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