SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE CREDIT COURSE
OUTLINE
Department: Art
Subject Area and Course Number: Art 154
Course Title: Ceramic Sculpture
Discipline: Art
Units: 3
Repeatability: 3
Catalog Course Description: An extension of Art 152, Advanced
Ceramics. Introduction to techniques and materials employed in making large
scale ceramic sculptures, including wheel‑thrown sculptures, slab‑forming,
extruded forms, press forming. Experiment with surface treatments, textures,
stains and oxides, glazes and firing procedures.
Description for Schedule of Classes: Techniques and materials employed
in making ceramic sculptures. Wheel‑thrown sculptures, slab‑forming,
extruded forms, press forming, surface treatments and firing procedures.
Lecture Hours per Week: 2
Laboratory Hours per Week: 3
Plus
Hours: 2
Prerequisites: Art 152
Co-requisites: None
Skills Advisories: Eligibility for English 100, 103
Course
Advisories: Art
101
Limitation
on Enrollment: None
Course
Objectives: With
Art 151 and Art 152 as a basis of student preparation, this course provides an
understanding in the techniques of ceramic sculpture. Relationships of form,
line, texture and glaze are explored as a point of departure into more
contemporary statements in clay sculpture. At the conclusion of this course the
student will be able to:
a. Make
design sketches for three dimensional forms.
b. Identify
steps of work process.
c. Recognize
the different art elements of line, form, negative form, texture and color as
they apply to clay sculpture.
d. Understand
and use the art principles of contrast, harmony, variety and repetition.
e. Operate
machinery used to prepare special clay bodies suitable for large scale work.
f. Develop
skills needed to throw large forms on the potter's wheel.
g. Operate
equipment to produce large slabs, tubes, coils used in the construction of
ceramic sculptures.
h. Demonstrate
skills needed to construct sculptures applying various forming techniques.
i. Formulate
engobe compositions (with use of gram scale) for surface treatment of clay
forms.
j. Develop
skills in various kiln firing techniques and procedures applied in firing large‑scale
forms.
k. Increase
their understanding and appreciation of ceramic art forms.
1. Analyze
and critique their own work as well as other student's work.
Course Content and Scope: The emphasis in this course will be
on expressive forming in clay,
utilizing a variety of construction techniques. The students will be introduced
to the different elements of shape, negative shape, value, line, form and
texture according to art principles. Students and the instructor will
participate in individual and group critiques of student work. The following is
the basic outline for the course. The order and a few assignments might vary
from class to class.
a. Design,
form, content, proportions, tactile values, surface treatment, textures.
b. Geologic
origins of clay. Analysis of various properties of clay com positions,
suitable for large‑scale clay sculptures. Formulating terra cotta,
stoneware, earthenware bodies.
c. Mixing
of color clays. Pugmill operation.
d. Exploration
of glazed and non‑glazed surfaces. Engobe compositions. Vitreous engobes.
Coloring oxides and stains.
e. Construction
of armature for large‑scale forms.
f. Forming:
large coiled forms, large slab constructions.
g. Wheel‑thrown
sculptures. Combining wheel and slab constructions. Stretched forms.
Pressforming.
h. The
firing process. Controlled drying and shrinkage. Preparation for firing.
i. Final
review of major projects and evaluation of success of student's work.
Methods of Instruction: Demonstration, lecture, slide
lecture, films and visual aids, discussion, individual and group critique,
laboratory (practical application of techniques). Gallery/Museum visits when
appropriate.
Required Assignments: Classroom attendance is required and
students will be completing the majority of the assigned work in class.
Students will be required to complete specific projects relating to the various
units of study Students will participate in a midterm review and critique of
their work in process. Students will complete one major project.
Methods of Evaluation:
20% ‑ attendance, in‑class
participation, discussion
20% ‑ mid‑term
evaluation and critique of work in process
60% ‑ Final completion of
assigned projects
Appropriate Texts and Supplies: No text is required. All major
supplies required to complete assignments are furnished by the department. Clay
and Glazes for the Potter by D. Rhodes, Stoneware and Porcelain by
D. Rhodes, Ceramics by G. Nelson, Hands in Clay by C. Speight and
additional books and periodicals are available in the classroom for reference.
CO/mej
March 1997
FRC (WPC)