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Create Your Own Sculpture

For Grades 4–12

Inspired by Telling Tales
(July 30, 2010–April 17, 2011)

OBJECTIVES

  • Students will create a Edgar Degas, Louise Nevelson, or Marino Marini–inspired animal sculpture

SUPPLIES

  • Telling Tales PowerPoint, Slide #11
  • Sculpture wire
  • Wire form mesh, scissors, glue, Styrofoam, paper, and drawing materials
  • Tissue paper (multiple colors)
  • Alternative (or addition) to tissue paper: Yarn, string, twine, etc.

ACTIVITY

Show students the sculptures of horses on Slide #11. How are they different? Have students choose one species of animal to sculpt and one of the three artist’s sculptures from which to draw inspiration.

  • Start with the sculpture wire to create the basic shape of an animal.
  • Use the wire to attach the form to a Styrofoam base.
  • Pre-cut the wire mesh into pieces. Use the wire mesh to cover the sculpture and squeeze tightly. It can also be used to create additional parts of the animal.
  • Cut the tissue paper into small squares. (See illustration)
  • Take the center of each square and twist it until it is into a point.
  • Insert the pointed part of the tissue paper into the small holes of the wire mesh. (Glue can be used for extra hold.)
  • Cover the entire sculpture with tissue or, if using the alternative materials, wrap the completed mesh form with twine, string, or yarn.

Additional ideas:

  • Have the students title their finished piece and write a poem/story about their animal.
  • Ask classmates to guess which artist was the inspiration for each sculpture.

NEW YORK STATE LEARNING STANDARDS

  • English Language Arts Standards 1 and 3
  • Math, Science, and Technology Standard 1
  • Visual Arts Standards 1, 2, and 3