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Making a Pedestal

To build a monument, you need a sturdy base. In our last lesson, you considered different kinds of pedestals artists have used for their monuments.

What kind of pedestal, or base, do you want to make for your monument? What are some of the different ways you can build a sturdy base? How can you transform a box to create a base or pedestal to build your monument on?

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Making A Pedestal: Close Looking: Constantin Brancusi

Constantin Brancusi was a 20th Century artist who transformed how we think about bases and pedestals. He shaped his own pedestals and they became part of his sculptures.

Look closely at these images of Brancusi’s sculptures. What do you notice about the relationship between each sculpture and its base?

Constantin Brancusi, sculptures from the Guggenheim Collection

(on cover)

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Making a Pedestal: Materials

You will need:

Small corrugated boxes �and smooth cardboard �tissue or food boxes

Paper towel tubes, or other tubes from your recycling

Scissors

Tape

Optional:

Stapler

Glue�

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Possibilities

Examine one of your boxes.

If you leave it opened and turn it upside-down, you have a traditional pedestal form, like the Statue of Liberty.

If you turn the opening up, you have an empty hollow space.

If you open it flat, you have a large flat space that could represent the ground. Martin Puryear’s Big Bling, in Lesson 3, was placed directly on the ground.

These are all possibilities for your monument’s base.

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Experimenting with Different-Shaped Bases

Experiment with making different shaped bases using your box. Here are some simple shapes that you can make by folding and curling cardboard and taping the edges together.

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More Different-Shaped Bases

These are shapes that you can make by folding in different ways and taping the edges together.

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Changing the Edge

You can cut the edge of a box to create a different profile.

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Cutting Shapes into Smooth Boxes

Try playing with a smooth cardboard box, like a tissue box or food box. You can easily cut different shapes into these.

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Experimenting and Connecting Shapes

What other shapes can you make out of your cardboard boxes?

You can use tape or staples to connect the ends together if you �want to make circular �or oval shapes.

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Build with Your Shapes

Turn your shapes and�stack them. Make a �tower with the different shapes.

Document your experiments by photographing them or drawing them in your sketchbook.

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Reflection

What new ideas do you �have for your monument now that you have experimented with the materials?

What new ideas do you �have for your pedestal?

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More work by Constantin Brancusi

Brancusi work in the Guggenheim Collection:

https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/constantin-brancusi

Brancusi’s sculpture Endless Column: http://m.interiordesign.net/articles/13037-constantin-brancusi-s-restored-endless-column-fades-into-the-night-sky/

Brancusi’s work in the Museum of Modern Art collection: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/81729

Film of Brancusi working from the Museum of Modern Art: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/3933

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Remote Arts Learning Partnership

Module Two �

Studio in a School NYC Team

Julie Applebaum, Senior Director

Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project DIrector

Writing Team Project Team

Anne-Marie McIntyre Josef Zutelgte Belinda Blum Nicola Giardina Paul Urevitch

Jamie Powell Andrea Burgay Katherine Huala

Graphic Design

Don Giordano

NYC Department of Education OASP Team

Karen Rosner, Director of Visual Arts

Amber Lodman, Arts Program Manager Kaitlin Trammell, Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project Coordinator

NYC Department of Education Visual Arts Teacher Team

Maria Bonilla Susan Bricker Amie Robinson Lara Tyson

These educational materials were created through a partnership with Studio in a School NYC and The New York City Department of Education Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP) and made possible by the generosity of The New York Community Trust.