Neo-Icarus Assignment#1

The Neo-Icarus Assignment #1

Greek mythology tells us that Daedalus had been imprisoned by King Minos of Crete within the walls of his own invention, the Labyrinth. But the great craftsman's genius would not suffer captivity. He made two pairs of wings by adhering feathers to a wooden frame with wax. Giving one pair to his son, he cautioned him that flying too near the sun would cause the wax to melt. But Icarus became ecstatic with the ability to fly and forgot his father's warning. The feathers came loose and Icarus plunged to his death in the sea.

With that in mind, this assignment will demonstrate the advantages of mold making as a process for reproducing multiple objects from one original.  We will be making a two part plaster mold of a small (no larger than a bottle of water) inexpensive mass produced object. Depending on your necessities, we will cast as few as two or as many objects as your highly detailed design require.

After you have completed the mold/casting part, you will treat the surface of your positives. Perhaps you want to resemble the original surface of the object; maybe you want to make a personal statement. You are as free as the flying Icarus to alter the “skin” of your wings, just remember to use the two dimensions to your advantage.

Parallel to the previous steps,  you will muster a functional structure, a backbone, a shelter to support the assemblage of the casted pieces as if they were the feathers attached to the flesh of a bird. Creatively complete this exercise and earn your own pair of wings!

Materials:

A SKETCH BOOK with LOTS of drawings, ideas and most importantly questions!!!  water and oil clay; murphy’s oil and a small brush; plaster; acrylic paints; wood and metal in multiple formats, E6000 glue.  

Learning Objectives:

• How to use mold making to create a tangible record of the presence of matter, and how to make a “positive” that has the form of the original object via “substitution.”
• How to use a set of parameters and a desired outcome as a means of generating ideas
• How to communicate ideas through form, color and surface alone, without resorting to clichéd symbols or text.
• Specific technical skills that should be addressed in 3-D Concepts classes include simple joinery in wood (using bandsaws, drill presses and sanders,) an introduction to “cold” metalworking (using bending brakes, shears, pop-riveters etc.), an introduction to moldmaking, (“substitution”,) and other constructive/ subtractive/ manipulation techniques appropriate to the presentation of the concepts being taught.
• Asymmetrical balance

• Rhythm and repetition

A bit of Greek Wisdom: The flight of Icarus could be interpreted as a lesson in the value of moderation. The danger in flying "too high" (i.e. melting of the wax wings) or in flying "too low" (i.e. weighting down the wings by sea-water spray) were advocations for one to respect one's limits and to act accordingly.