3DFB203 Sculptural Weaving 3cr

Sculptural Weaving is a course that teaches various three-dimensional weaving techniques to be applied towards sculptural purposes. Based on weaving traditions that go back thousands of years, you will learn the fundamentals of basic basket weaving techniques: twining, plaiting, random weave, coiling as well as connecting techniques to build a larger structure from pre-existing smaller components. Through the use of traditional and non-traditional materials, you will learn to use these techniques as a springboard to adapt, integrate, and explore your own sculptural interests and material choices. Every technique being taught is complemented by slide lectures and discussions examining the adaptations and significance of weaves in contemporary and traditional cultures. Sculptural Weaving is as much about weaving as it is about discovery and invention. By asking you to apply these techniques to your own interests, these traditional basket-weaving techniques quickly merge into other areas of interests from architecture, fashion design, painting, New Media to sculptural installation. Every adaptation requires slight adjustments and new discoveries, which in turn help you become more independent with the techniques. You will also learn about the relationship between material and technique, a critical component in understanding the structural possibilities of basket weaving. Finally, through analyzing images of woven structures throughout the course, you will also gain the ability to read a basket, an important skill of being able decode woven structures from the simple to the most complex. Every class will be a combination of demos, slide shows, brief discussions, work time and critiques. This is a hands-on class, in which you will be weaving every class. Please wear comfortable clothes. The class is structured in a way that the two thirds of the semester is focused on teaching you skills, while the second half asks you to apply those skills towards your own artistic interests. The assignments are written in a way to give you sculptural challenges to explore and discover the potential of these weaves. They are deliberately open-ended to function as jumpstarts to your projects, so you can develop them however you see fit. The Independent Project is there to give you the chance to integrate your own conceptual / artistic interests with these skills. Much of sculptural weaving consists of problem-solving. All students are expected to participate fully in class. If problems arise (which they will), these should be shared with all other students, so we can all learn from these challenges and brainstorm for solutions.

Hybrid Studio Critique

Fall and Spring