Objects
Instructor: Christian Cummings
*About* This course is an intro to object making, emphasizing prop-style fabrication skills and materials experimentation. You will learn one-part and two-part mold making and casting techniques (focusing on RTV silicone rubber molds, and urethane plastics for casting). You will also be introduced to foam carving and coating. By the end you will have gazed into the unrelenting eye of object manufacture.
*There is a mandatory course support fee of $100
*EVERYONE SHOULD BRING:
1. 1 matte knife with 20 extra blades
2. 1 hot glue gun with 20 extra glue sticks
3. 1 large bottle of isypropyl alcohol
4. 1 roll of kitchen-paper towels or terry rags
5. Protective clothing or a shop smock
6. 1 box of latex gloves
7. eye protection
Day 1: Intro to Contemporary Materials Exploration
(Sculpture or Object)
-slide presentation on Sculptures, Objects, and Immanence. Show natural and manufactured casts.
-go over materials & safety, attendance, and clean-up procedures.
*HOMEWORK
-BRING 2 SMALL FOUND OBJECTS TO CLASS NEXT WEEK-CLEAN UP
Day 2: Intro to Mold Making
- go over one-part waste molds for making one-off unique objects.
-go over cardboard mother molds.
-begin one-part silicone waste mold from a plasticine form.
*HOMEWORK
-SILICONE MUST BE POURED INTO MOTHER-MOLD PRIOR TO NEXT WEEK’S CLASS
-CLEAN UP
Day 3: Two Part Molds
-go over exhuming an object and sprue-cutting.
-go over making a clay-bed, keys, and pour-spouts
-prep and pour part one of two-part mold
*HOMEWORK
-PART ONE OF TWO-PART MOLD SHOULD BE POURED BY NEXT WEEK
-CLEAN UP
Day 4: Two Part Molds Part Two
-go over mold releasing
-pour second side of two-part mold
*HOMEWORK
SECOND SIDE OF TWO-PART MOLD MUST BE POURED BY NEXT WEEK
-CLEAN UP
Day 5: Urethane Casting
-go over tints, dyes, metallic powders, and fillers
-casting into one-part molds
-casting into two-part molds
-CLEAN UP
Day 6: More Casting & Open Ended Projects
-may continue casting or work on self-directed projects
-introduce foam carving and coating (show samples)
-give students block of foam
*HOMEWORK (optional)
BEGIN FOAM CARVING INDEPENDENTLY IN YOUR STUDIO (SEE OBJECTS BLOG)
-CLEAN UP
Day 7: Covering
-look at examples of "covering"
-begin foam carving in class
*HOMEWORK (optional)
READ PLAYING WITH DEAD THINGS BY MIKE KELLEY
-CLEAN UP
Day 8: Covering Continued
-continue coating and begin "covering"-introduce Steve's Foam Coat
-CLEAN UP
Day 9: Covering Continued
-continue foam projects
-show & tell (not critique)
-show & tell (not critique)
-CLEAN UP
Day 10: The Stuff
-Today we will watch Larry Cohen's "The Stuff"
-FINAL CLEAN UP
