FOUND OBJECTS

WHAT ARE FOUND OBJECTS? objects of inconsequential material

found just about anywhere, with interesting origins, history, or purposes, or exhibiting elements or principles of design or other aesthetic qualities

ASSEMBLAGE ART

WHAT IS ASSEMBLAGE ART? artistic process in

which a three-dimensional artistic composition is made from putting together found objects

artists tend to use found objects, fragments and bits, often everyday manufactured materials or junk never intended as art materials

Bruce Gray

Bruce Gray

Leo Sewell

Leo Sewell

Leo Sewell

Michelle Stitzlein

Michelle Stitzlein

Michelle Stitzlein

Michelle Stitzlein

YOUR PROJECTInspiration

JOSEPH CORNELL collected and carefully juxtaposed

found objects in small, glass-front boxes created visual poems in which surface,

form, texture, and light play together

things we can see to make boxes about things we cannot see: ideas, memories, fantasies, and dreams

turned everyday objects into mysterious treasures

found materials became symbols that inhabit his boxes and hint at abstract ideas… metal spring from a discarded wind-up clock may evoke the passage of time; a ball might represent a planet or the luck associated with playing a game

LOUISE NEVELSON collected and carefully juxtaposed

found objects in boxes of various sizes used cast-off wood parts and actual

street throwaways

control and precise placement of parts achieved balance and structure

incorporated a variety of forms and united the piece with monochromatic spray paint

shadow as important as composition

WHAT YOU’LL DO: combine the styles of

Joseph Cornell and Louise Nevelson to make your own found object symbolic memory box

use found objects that have meaning to you – either literal or symbolic

plan how these objects will be placed into the box and the meaning of these objects and placements

WHAT YOU’LL DO: assemble them into

and/or onto a box…plan your arrangement then hot glue, tie, staple, wire, etc. the objects to the box

paint the memory box in a monochromatic color scheme

write an artist’s statement about the final piece and the meaning and/or symbolism behind it

BEFORE YOU BEGINThings to know

ART TERMS Assemblage - technique of creating a

sculpture by joining together individual pieces or segments, sometimes “found” objects that originally served another purpose.

Composition - organization of lines, shapes, colors and other elements in a work of art.

Found Object Art - designing something displayed as a work of art that is actually a natural object or ordinary manmade article found by chance, but considered to have aesthetic value.

ART TERMS Monochromatic - having one color…descriptive

of work in which one hue-perhaps with variations of value and intensity predominates.

Relief - anything that projects from a background; in sculpture, that includes figures or other forms that are attached to a background and project into space.

Unity - coherent relationship among the parts or elements of a work of art.

Variety - state or quality of being various; the absence of monotony or sameness in an artwork.

TIPS: think of a theme or overall meaning

and intent of your memory box

if you don’t have enough found objects to convey your theme, keep seeking out more – ask friends, family, clean out drawers, etc.

consider repeating objects, shapes, forms and textures

layer your objects for more depth

REQUIREMENTS: use at least 10 of your own found

objects

use your own found or made box

sketch and plan a theme and composition

write an artist statement about the piece