Assignment 3: Push/Pull – Part 2: Spaces

Due: Wed., March 16

Overview

For this assignment you will work with a partner to create an inflatable that alters our experience of a space within the library. You and your partner will use your objects from Part 1 of the Push/Pull assignment as studies for creating an inflatable sculpture and installation. Your sculpture will be based upon combining two or more of you and your partner’s Push/Pull objects and enlarging them. Your object will affect the space and give us a new experience – give this consideration as you are brainstorming ideas.

For this assignment, you and your partner will:

  1. share your objects with each other and talk about what is exciting about the potential in combining some of your objects.
  2. select a space in the library where you will install your sculpture for our critique. *
  3. select two or more of your objects to combine to create an inflatable sculptural installation. This new inflatable sculpture should be customized to the space you have selected.
  4. create your inflatable by enlarging the pattern pieces and sewing them together. Your enlargement needs to be at least a scale of 1 inch to 6 inches.
  5. add an air tube to your inflatable so that a fan can inflate your new shape. Where is the best location on your inflatable to place the air tube? Remember to also find out where the nearest outlet is at your installation location so you can plan where the fan will need to be.
  6. modify your inflatable so that it is customized to the space you have selected by trying it out in the space, observing it, and making changes that you think will enhance our experience of the space. The inflatable will behave differently than the original stuffed object. Once you have made the inflatable ask yourself, “what is interesting to me/us about the inflatable version? what alterations can I/we make to emphasize these new elements?”
  7. prepare to share it with the class by rehearsing your setup. Each team will set up their inflatable right before we see it for critique. To make this go smoothly, each team needs to practice setting up their installation in a short amount of time.

* Notes about selecting a space in the library:

  • Your inflatable cannot impede exits or entrances of the library. Nor should your inflatable block elevators and/or stairwells. Passersby need safe and accessible ways through the library. You can, though, alter a space that is away from main hallways, exits, entrances, stairs or elevators.
  • Please be quiet when you are testing out your inflatable piece so as not to disturb people studying.
  • Make sure your inflatable does not damage any books, structures, artworks, furniture, people(!) etc. in the library.
  • Test out your inflatable in our classroom before testing it out in another space.
  • When in doubt, ask Olivia or Sean.

Materials

You will be provided with ripstop nylon to use for this assignment. Please be cognizant of not wasting material as you cut out your pattern pieces – it is our shared resource and will also be used for future assignments.

  • Please first use up the “old” ripstop nylon that has been used in previous projects.
  • Then, when using new ripstop use mainly white, black, red or yellow ripstop nylon (which we have the most of).
  • Lastly, you can use up to 1 yard of 1 other colors (purple, green, etc.)

Some ideas to consider:

  • How does the change in scale affect your choices in color or surface pattern?
  • How will the installation your inflatable affect our experience of of the shape and also of the space?
  • Are there changes to the patterns that you envision for the larger version?
  • Lighting can also be a fun element to play with for the inflatables.

Documentation

  • Documentation is due within one week after the assignment due date above.
  • Upload your documentation to the class website, with the category Push/Pull – Part 2. 
  • Your documentation should include:
    • a paragraph outlining your explorations: your process, discoveries, successes, challenges.
    • photographs or short videos of your objects (Please embed the video so it can be directly viewed; you may either upload an MP4 file to our server or use supported third-party hosting, such as Vimeo or Youtube, etc.)

Assessment

Points for this project will be divided amongst the following criteria:

PRESENTATION / INSTALLATION: The project demonstrates the maker’s careful consideration of the ways in which the work is installed/presented for critique (including site, location in space, relationship to the viewers).

EXPERIMENTATION/ RISK-TAKING/ INVENTIVENESS: The maker’s willingness to take risks (in composition, formal choices, materials, ideas, and content) is evident. Also important is the maker’s openness to new ideas, chance occurrences, and feedback throughout the creative process.

EXECUTION: Decisions about materials used and the manner in which the work is constructed, fabricated, and composed are deliberate. The maker’s choices indicate an awareness of how formal issues, materials and processes contribute to the interpretation or experience of the work.

COLLABORATION: The maker is an active collaborator in the project throughout the process. This includes, but is not limited to: responsive and open communication with collaborator, sharing in the tasks related to the project, actively listening and open to the ideas of their collaborator, contributes ideas to be considered for the project, open to suggestions, and follows through with what they have said they would do.

DOCUMENTATION: Documentation well represents the works. It is clear, focused, and without extra elements that distract from experiencing the work. It includes both written reflection and photographic or video elements. Photographs are large enough for us to easily view the works.