This exhibit is a collection of pieces selected from the Spring 2020 Intro to 3D and Intro to Mixed Media classes taught by Professor Steve Rossi.

“Using simple materials such as paper, wood, wire and plaster, students work with form to create unique pieces paying attention to the details of volume and dimension.  Through this exhibit, the students are able to express their understanding of form, essence and conceptual development.”

Cast-plaster abstract self-portraits from the Intro to Mixed Media class were created by pouring plaster over the surface of clay slabs designed with positive texture through the mark-making of selected found objects. These cast-plasters were a series of three self-portraits meant to represent the artist’s past, present, and future self. Artists such as Piet Mondrian, Merriam Shapiro, and Jayson Musson were inspirations for this project.

 

The planar forms, taken from a series of deconstructed drawings of previously created wire sculptures, are cut from cardboard and a class demo is given demonstrating how a slotting technique can create strong mechanical connections that do not need glue. A discussion is had related to relationships between positive and negative spaces, principles of three-dimensional composition, line, form, balance, rhythm, repetition, interesting sightlines from a variety of angles etc. The black and white two-dimensional paintings on cardboard included in the exhibition were created prior to the sculptures being painted, this exercise provided an opportunity for students to practice with the hard-edge painting technique and to explore various ways of incorporating the corrugation of the cardboard as an intentional design element.

Also included in this exhibit are large-scale outdoor planar sculptures created by the Intro to 3D class. Working with a collaborative team, the assignment was to build a new planar sculpture in upcycled plywood, using slotted mechanical connections and incorporating an analogous color scheme in the green spectrum. Combining natural leaf forms of native species of plants, along with forms from earlier sculptures, to create a slotted sculpture that reaches a scale of 8 x 6 x 6 feet.  This collaborative project was started during the spring 2020 semester the students got their pieces cut and the painting started. The coronavirus stopped progress for the duration of the spring semester. Nate Tobey, one of the collaborative group members, working over the summer and during this semester, has finished the painting surface treatments. The other group members are Steve Bradley and Morgan Sullivan.

– Rowan Sullivan ‘21, Gallery Exhibition Research Assistant