Project Two: Book Transformed

 

Objective:

To demonstrate basic elements and principles of three-dimensional design you will deconstruct a found book. Transforming it into a vastly different form. Project Two will consist of an investigation into Mass, Volume, Form, Color, Texture, Repetition, Containment, and Additive and Subtractive (techniques). The book is incredibly important to human history and obviously a rather large part of your life as a student. I want you to transform a used, hard cover book into a dramatically new form with a minimum of new materials.

 

Directions:

Step 1: To begin I want you to explore the original book’s form, construction method, and materials. You are limited to using the materials of one book and some sort of adhesives (gluing, stapling, wiring, sewing etc.). Thoroughly examine your book for its materials, content (written/tactile), and form. Consider these aspects and any other physical characteristics such as color and texture or any formal qualities you discover. Then as a class we will engage in some divergent thinking practices. You may cut, tear, fold, roll, pleat, chew or otherwise rearrange any parts of your book. Visualize the results that these actions could have on a book: remove, crush, wrap, sew, bend, divide, bind, bite, glue, sand, shred, cut, embed, scratch, drill, rip, incise, wedge, pleat, fold, cook, curl, coat, gouge, staple, crumple, soak, score, twist, tape, burnish, weave, nail, burn, knot, knit, carve, burrow, patch, erase, mark, alternate, extrude, skewer, peel, elongate.

 

Step 2: You may find power and hand tools helpful. If power tools are used, be sure you have been taught how to use them safely. Your new book form may be purely abstract in design or you might want to consider a content-related object or scene to depict. Use creative, elegant and/or subtle ways to address content instead of obvious stereotypes or cute clichés. Be sure to create a structurally strong overall form rather than focusing only on decorative aspects.

 

Step 3: Complete project and label per syllabus.

 

Materials:

Used book/s (easily found at local second hand stores) adhesives, connecting elements miscellaneous hand or power tools (e.g., awl, clamp, drill, sander, band saw, etc.) X-Acto knives (with blade)