Course Title: Sculpture Studio 2A2 Foundry

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Sculpture Studio 2A2 Foundry

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
VART2014	City Campus	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010
VART2924	Hong Kong Arts Centre	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Offsh 2 09, Offsh 1 10, Offsh 1 11

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Kevin White

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2517

Course Coordinator Email:kevin.white@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bld 2.B.9

Course Coordinator Availability: Via Appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

This course provides a ‘hands on’ introduction to ‘lost wax’ metal casting in the context of an individual work program/practice.
The goal of the course is to assist students with an introduction to of one of the most traditional techniques in sculpture and how that may be relevant to their personal means of expression.
It seeks to provide students not only with a basic knowledge of the lost wax process, but also to help them become aware that while there is a great deal of mystique surrounding sculptures ‘in bronze’, there is an important balance between the inherent quality of an idea and the material it may be made from.
There is considerable ‘skill based’ learning in this course and while there are a large number of skills, each one is quite simple and not difficult to master.
Initially, the course is roughly in two parts:
The first part is to make a small art object in wax;
The second is to cast the same object in metal.
Throughout each of these parts there is comprehensive/thorough instruction in all facets of production: mould making, plaster usage, wax work/casting.
Individuals can then proceed with a more advanced involvement in producing objects by casting or pursue other related areas of interest via a negotiated work contract.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

1. Develop, through practical involvement, a working knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the ‘lost wax’ process in metal casting.
2. To consider and evaluate principals and theories/rationales in producing or reproducing objects in cast metal (mainly bronze).
3. Fundamental health and safety rules in foundry workshop practice.
4. Low relief modeling, wax and plaster usage, flexible mould making, surface finishing and preparation, patination, principals of non Ferris welding.
5. To become aware of general historical and practical developments and approaches to metal casting in various cultures.

Overview of Learning Activities

This course involves a small number of set projects which address not only the practical aspects of metal casting but also, and perhaps more importantly, an evaluation of how metal casting may sit within an individual’s sculptural vocabulary. As a rule, there will be workshop demonstrations/ tutorials each week/session/class.

Overview of Learning Resources

Practical demonstrations and recommended specialist texts during class

Overview of Assessment

Assessment Criteria
What will you be looking for when you assess my work?
Your grades are based on the lecturer’s expectation that you will:
Regularly consult with the teaching staff regarding the development of each project and in particular during individual feedback/discussion sessions and individual teaching consultations.

Provide physical evidence of on-going research processes undertaken throughout the semester and documentation of research, artworks and other materials developed for this course.

Each work should answer the criteria set for each project.

All works presented for assessment are to be finished to a resolved standard of presentation commensurate with your year level.


Assessment Process
Assessment will be conducted by a panel of staff from the course area. The assessment will be reviewed by the course coordinator, Sculpture.
Submission of Assessment Tasks
Typically the week after the end of the 13 week semester (i.e. week 14).

Course Grades available
HD High distinction (80-100%)
D Distinction (70-79%)
C Credit (60-69%)
P Pass (50-59%)
N Fail (0-49%)