Sample work Creative Arts K–6 Stage 2: Visual Arts: Bicycles - 3D Sculptures

Description of activity

Students make a 3-dimensional wire sculpture of a bicycle.

1. Teacher sets up a bicycle in the classroom.
2. Students observe all the parts of the bicycle.
3. Students look at the wire sculpture work of Calder and discuss how he has drawn lines through space using wire and how these lines suggest shapes.
4. Students use thin wire to construct their drawing in space. As they construct their sculpture, students need to view their 3-D form from all angles, as well as refer to previous drawings they have made of a bicycle.
5. Students exhibit their sculptures.

Outcomes

Making (VAS2.1)
Represents the qualities of experiences and things that are interesting or beautiful by choosing amongst aspects of subject matter.
Making (VAS2.2)
Uses the forms to suggest the qualities of subject matter.

Criteria for assessing learning

Students will be assessed on their:

• representation of the subject matter of the bicycle and its features, eg pedals, tyres, spokes, wheels, seat
• Investigatation of various construction techniques and spatial arrangements to make a 3-D wire sculpture.

Work Sample Assessment

Cameron

Cameron has demonstrated a very high level of competence in representing the subject matter of a bicycle. There is evidence of careful and detailed observation in the representation of the handlebars, spokes, front reflector, wheels and seat. Various construction techniques, such as wrapping, twisting, looping, bending, doubling and joining, have been used in this well-proportioned wire sculpture. Drawing skills and knowledge of bicycles have been applied to a new situation. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard at the end of Stage 2.

Jordon

Jordan has demonstrated a very high level of competence in representing the subject matter of a bicycle. There is evidence of careful and detailed observation in the handlebars, spokes, wheels and seat. Various construction techniques, such as wrapping, twisting, looping, bending, doubling and joining, have been used in this well-proportioned wire sculpture. Drawing skills and knowledge of bicycles have been applied to a new situation, and two types of wire have been used. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard at the end of Stage 2.

Taylor

Taylor has demonstrated a high level of competence in representing the subject matter of a bicycle. There is evidence of careful observation in the handlebars, wheels and spokes, and most components of the bicycle are obvious. Various construction techniques, such as twisting, wrapping, doubling and joining, have been used, but the triangular frame suggests some difficulty may have been experienced in manipulating the wire to create the spatial arrangement. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard at the end of Stage 2.

Prior learning

Students have brainstormed and identified all the parts of a bicycle. They have drawn a bicycle from memory and direct observation and discussed the various textures, shapes and lines that make up the structure of the bicycle. They have viewed prints or postcards of artworks about bicycles and discussed the differences between them.

Students have been instructed in the safe use of wire, wire cutters and pliers. They have experimented with wire to create different shapes.

Board of Studies NSW, Creative Arts K–6 Units of Work, pp 38–43