Year 7 Students’ Balanced Geometric Sculpture Creations
Joining Mrs Parker and her Year 7 students in the classroom recently, we were invited to sit in on their lesson around geometric sculpture – the students’ brief: Create a balanced geometric sculpture from cardboard – learning how to convert a 2D drawing into 3D design.
Taking inspiration from Max Bill (1908 – 1994), a Swiss artist and industrial and graphic designer, students focused on creating their own version of a specific piece of his artwork.
Sharing an image of one of his geometric sculptures, Mrs Parker asked the students to identify characteristics that they could see, and they happily shared a myriad of features and words they associated with the design, including: symmetry, contrast, abstract, simplistic, bold, sharp and more; demonstrating the many different interpretations of his artwork.
They then set about drawing out their ideas using felt tips and a ruler; creating their 2D designs, before being asked to create these designs using cardboard – creating their 3D sculptures.
Identifying the differences between and similarities of 2D and 3D was an integral part of the lesson, and has been the pathway of this particular project for these Year 7 students; this lesson being part of a series looking at this particular element of Art.
After creating and sharing their colourful 2D designs, students had the opportunity to create them in cardboard, using the chomp saw, a unique piece of apparatus in the Art department known to be a safe power tool for cutting cardboard with ease. Mrs Parker first held a demonstration, followed by the students using the saw independently – and so their designs began to spring to life. Colouring each piece of cardboard, there was also consideration of where colours should ‘sit’ on their individual designs, and Mrs Parker revisited the discussion students had recently had about the colour wheel, and how colours next to one another are complementary, while those opposite them on the wheel offer contrast.
The lesson was a brilliant opportunity not only for learning, but for expression; students shared their thought processes, ideas and learnings throughout the lesson, as they created their very own balanced geometric sculptures.
Callum shared,
“I really enjoy Art lessons, you can let your mind go wild, and really be creative!”
Talking about choosing Art as an option in the future Lucy said,
“I love the teacher, the experiences and the lessons – I’m learning so much, I might consider choosing Art as one of my options because I enjoy it so much.”
Sharing his favourite creations in Art lessons so far Aiden said,
“I absolutely loved making balloon dogs, I learned lots of new skills and it was so much fun!”
Talking about how much she enjoys Art, Anasuya shared,
“I literally can’t take the pen from the page when I’m drawing, I love it. I really enjoy experimenting too.”
Mrs Parker shared,
“Year 7 is predominantly about enjoyment and fostering a love of making things. Throughout the year we cover a range of materials through the teaching of short, but nonetheless productive, projects. The children are always incredibly enthusiastic and open minded to taking creative risks and it is these qualities which are so important when it comes to developing as an artist!”
To find out much more about Art, including GCSE and A level Art at Woodbridge School, visit woodbridgeschool.org.uk/the-arts/art/.
