Wire Sculptures and Sculptors

David Oliveira

Thomas Hill

Bryant Holsenbeck

Environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck is known for creating art from cast off objects, such as wood, wire, plexiglass and recycled cut up credit cards that she uses to create birds and other wildlife animals.

“My challenge was to induce viewers to actually look at the shadow rather than solely at the steel.”

Larry Kagan

http://larrykagansculpture.com/media/58/objectsshadows-video/

Without Light

With Light

Linear Wire SculptureAnimals

Using wire, you will construct a 3D linear form of an animal based on a continuous contour line drawing.

You may also use recycled materials and/or tissue paper to add details to your sculpture.

Your Activity

(noun): multicellular beings that have well-defined shape and limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli, esp. mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians.

What is an Animal?

Brainstorm a list of 20 animals – unique & unexpected. Research animals and narrow list to 3. Choose animals

you find interesting and could become more visually interesting by adding recycled items or materials .

Elaborate & define characteristics of each animal. Include things such as: shape, color, texture, size, etc.

What you will do…

Brainstorm potential recycled items or details that could make each animal more inventive and creative.

Continue research and sketching for the 3 animals in order to help decide a final direction.

Choose a final animal to create for your project.

Bring in to class – 5 images of chosen animal from different angles. Note: if you have a 3D form of the animal, bring that in as well.

What you will do…

Before you start with the wire… Use your references to sketch and simplify by creating

small contour line drawings of your animal. You should have a minimum of 3 contour line drawings

of the same animal from 3 different perspectives. Use the light table if necessary.

REMEMBER: You must have a GOOD contour line drawing before you begin with wire… as you draw, think of your lines as if they were wire!

The Contour Drawing Part

Starting with Wire Start with the armature for your wire structure,

remember this is your main support. Think of it as your skeleton.

Then begin the form…this is where you give it depth, add the “ribs” giving it dimension and shape.

BE PATIENT!

Single lines to create the illusion of the whole. If oversimplified then it becomes uninteresting. If overly complicated it becomes confusing to look at. How will it stand? Will it need support? How do you manipulate wire for strength and stability? How can you connect pieces or add new elements? How can you cut the wire and tuck away sharp ends? How can you create an interesting sculpture “in the

round”?

Things to consider…

Recreate a realistic replica, using wire, of your chosen animal (minimum of 6”. maximum of 8”).

Additional elements like tissue paper, different size or color wires, aluminum cans, washers, small metal parts, etc. will add interest and a new life to your sculpture.

What you will do…

Add a base for your animal if needed. Present the final creation with a high regard for

craftsmanship.

What you will do…

A Closer Look at Structure and Technique

• Think about ONE CONTINUOUS LINE• Armature wire should be heavier to support the

main structure• Thin colored wire may be used for accent • Aluminum cans may create interest and color• Chicken wire may be used to fill out body• Make an X and twist wire using pliers to connect 2

pieces, or wrap one pieces around another to create a perpendicular type joint

• Use pieces that are no longer than 12”-24” • Twisting around a pencil or rod will create a spring

or coilhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRvCHVY-LW4

Investigate how various linear elements can be utilized to describe different shapes, surfaces and volumes – you are focusing on using line to give the illusion of volume and space

Think of the structural elements as opportunities to visually describe the object

Pay special attention to the joints – we want well-crafted objects!

Experiment with various solutions for connections Experiment with different methods of

manipulating the wire

Tips:

List of 20 different species of animals Top 3 animals with characteristics defined –

final choice of 1 animal 5 printed visual examples of animal to use

as reference 3 sketches from 3 different views of animal Size: minimum 6”; maximum 8” in one

direction

Requirements: