Sculpture 2

Balsa Wood Modular Sculpture

Artists: Sol Lewitt, Rasheed Arareen, Eva Hesse

Art Movement: Minimalism = an extreme form of abstract art developed in the USA in the
1960s and typified by artworks composed of simple geometric shapes based on the square
and the rectangle – from tate.org.uk

Elements of Art: line, shape

Principles of Design: repetition, variation, rhythm

Vocabulary: Module = unit, Modular Sculpture = sculpture made up of similar units, Plane = flat
surface, Geometric Shape = a shape that is defined mathematically, Miter = a joint made
between two pieces of wood or other material at an angle of 90°, such that the line of junction
bisects this angle.

Criteria:
 Sculpture has around 10+ modules—can be the same size or varying sizes
 Modules are connected with attention to overall rhythm

Directions:
1. Practice cutting balsa pieces with mitred edges and make a 3” square
2. If you want to try another shape, draw first and decide measurements. For triangle, you
may need to try less than a 45 degree angle.
3. Before cutting balsa pieces, measure and draw out angles.
4. Before attaching modules together, you can add rice paper to create a plane.
5. This project may be designed as you build it rather than drawn out first. Keep in mind
the design principles of repetition and variation to create rhythm.
6. Sketch your sculpture after you finish to record in you sketchbook.