Academics

Sculpture

 

Tim Segar

The study of sculpture at Marlboro proceeds out of the basic assumption that students need to learn in three intertwined areas: the language of three-dimensional form, the character and possibility of invention, and the development of technique. Students learn this in introductory courses through solving problems (both representational and nonrepresentational) given by the teacher. The history of sculpture is approached both through lectures and by in-class presentations of student research. As students develop in their understanding and ability, they increasingly follow their own choices of material, subject matter and means. Since our shop is equipped with mostly hand tools the projects students execute are often in such easily manipulated materials as clay, plaster, wood and cardboard. Welding is available in a small facility. There is considerable emphasis placed on the relationship between sculpture and the various two-dimensional media.

Students of art need enough technique and process to act on their ideas. They also need to be inspired by the example of other artists – both historical and contemporary. They equally need permission to follow their own impulses and designs in order to test their work against the range of work they come to know. In the end that balance is a matter of paying attention to individuals and helping them find their own way.

In my own studio I continue to work on the interaction of work in two and three dimensions. My drawings and paintings feed directly off of my sculpture and vice versa. Materials that interest me currently include steel, wood, wire mesh and waxed cloth. A recent series of sculpture was inspired by the workings and appearance of machines.

Starting Points (Basic and Introductory Courses)

Sculpture I (ART540)
An introduction to the language of three dimensions. Through a series of both representational and nonrepresentational problems students will investigate the principles and techniques of sculpture – construction, carving, and modeling. Drawing and its relationship to three-dimensional art will be emphasized. Students will make presentations to the class of research done on contemporary and traditional sculptors. (Introductory)

Drawing I (ART7), team taught with Osman
A beginning course designed to develop skills and knowledge in seeing. A variety of tools and materials will be explored while working from the still life, landscape and the figure. Fundamental issues of line, shape, tonal value, composition and design elements will be our basis of investigation. (Introductory)

3-D Design (ART553)
This course explores the language of objects. We are surrounded by things and take them for granted, but each item was made by a process of design. In a series of problems, students will be asked to design and build a chair, a package, and a game. Problems will focus on structure, presentation, and invention. The development of design styles will be studied as well. While Sculpture I explores the language of three dimension from a representational and expressive point of view, this course approaches the same language from the point of view of a problem solver. The inventive artistic result of this problem solving is often remarkable. (Introductory)

Pursuing Interests (Intermediate and Thematic Courses)

Drawing II (ART522), team taught with Osman
This course will focus on working from life, one day a week with the model and the rest of the week from outside sources. This class will build figurative skills and thematic development in intermediate students. Primarily the class will focus on tonal and linear work though we will explore some issues of color and mixed media. A good deal of the work will be done independently outside of class. (Intermediate)

Sculpture II (ART552)
This is a course in the identification of and action on sculptural ideas. Projects in conceptual development, figure modeling, and the interaction of drawing and sculpture will be given. Technical areas such as waste-mold making will be introduced. (Intermediate)

Form & Place: The Art of Site-Specific Sculpture (ART607)
As sculpture moved off the pedestal in the first half of this century it found new relationships to its place. The development of earth art, installation art, and site-specific sculpture has created a realm of activity for sculptors which has been varied and rich. Through a series of projects and investigations of places and objects, including light and sound, mapping, indoor and outdoor installations and modelmaking, students will create a series of works. (Intermediate)

The Constructed Reality (ART701), team taught with John Willis
The histories of photography and, more recently, sculpture/ installation art, are rife with examples of artists who are not content to simply observe reality as it exists but who find it necessary to construct their own. This course will focus on the conjunction of the disciplines of sculpture and photography and provide a venue for students to make work that reflects their own constructed reality. The end product of the work of this class will sometimes be photographs and, in other projects, sculpture. Both skills will be employed in each. Objects and spaces will be transformed and become the subject of new work. Students will be encouraged to work collaboratively.

Architecture as Sculpture/Sculpture as Architecture (ART784)
culptors and architects share a language of three dimensions that leads to diverse points of contact between their art forms. This course will be an artist's look at buildings and sculpture from various cultures and periods of history. Responses will be in three forms: written research projects, sculpturer and building designs.

Good Foundation For Plan

A student wishing to do a Plan in sculpture should consult the general degree requirements in the visual arts to see what kind of background is required. Several courses involving three-dimensional work are expected as preparation for Plan. These along with a demonstrated interest in drawing are ideal. We welcome both students who wish to do the majority of their Plan work in sculpture, and those for whom it is a support for other work.

Areas Of Interest For Plan-Level Work

Tim has supported Plans in a wide variety of areas that use the language of three dimensions. Traditional sculpture, woodworking, digital 3-D imaging, installation art, set design in theater, architectural design, landscape design, even forged iron armor. The link through them all has been a willingness on the part of the student to investigate their own ideas and abilities in a broad and imaginative way.

Sample Tutorial Topics