Art 4353

Art 4353 Foundry, F 12-6 pm, Spring 2022

Instructor: Darryl Lauster   Office: 104 Studio Arts Center,

Office Hours: Tue. 2-3; Fri. 10-11, or by appointment

Email Address: dlauster@uta.edu

Teaching website: https://websites.uta.edu/dlauster/

Faculty Profile:  https://mentis.uta.edu/explore/profile/darryl-lauster

Description of Course Content: This three-credit hour advanced studio class will explore work in sculpture employing methods specific to foundry casting and related mold making processes. Students will develop skills in wax model preparation, silica-based slurry mold processes, and chasing and finishing bronze castings. Conceptual development will build on previous sculpture experience adapted to foundry requisites as well as the discovery of new techniques not previously encountered.

Student Learning Outcomes: 

  1. Identify and employ a few basic tools, hardware and machinery for chasing and finishing metal casting.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to fabricate wax patterns, gating and venting in preparation for specific casting methods.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to conceive, design and fabricate sculptural art objects appropriate to the requisites of foundry processes.
  4. Analyze and critique the visual design and expressive attributes of cast sculpture.
  5. Demonstrate safe and responsible studio practices in regard to foundry methods, equipment/tool use and maintenance.

Requirements: 

  1. Regular attendance and the completion of all work
  2. Assignments may require work outside of class time.
  3. Projects that are turned in late will be lowered one letter grade for each class day late
  4. Two independent research/artistic projects
  5. Critique participation and classroom cleanup
  6. Professional conduct

Students must adhere strictly to safety rules pertaining to lab processes and machinery usage. Appropriate studio etiquette, cleanup and storage of works-in-progress will be monitored. Abuse or disregard of such issues will be subject to penalty and possible exclusion from lab use outside of class time. Checked-out tools are the student’s responsibility – loss or damage due to abuse will require replacement by the student. Studio access abuses such as leaving doors propped open, giving access to unqualified students or disregarding safety procedures can result in expulsion from the class.

This is a studio class and a collaborative learning environment. In order to communicate with your fellow colleagues regarding the large and complex issues surrounding the visual arts and design, you will need to develop conceptual and verbal skills. During this semester we will develop these skills by sharing our ideas with each other through discussion and critiques. Sharing your point of view, questions, and knowledge will help everyone in the class to develop more sophisticated ideas about the visual arts and enhance your ability to present those ideas. Therefore, participation in class is an essential part of your grade. Don’t be afraid to participate. Your opinion is an important part of our studio experience.

COVID safety notice** This face-to-face class will follow university classroom capacity policies intended to provide all students with a personal 6-foot radius of space surrounding him/her. Therefore, this class will be split into two cohorts of 8 students each. One cohort will work from 12-3 pm, and one cohort will work from 3-6 pm. You will receive an email identifying your cohort. Masks must be worn at all times in the classroom and while on campus.

This class utilizes equipment and processes that can be dangerous. 

Be aware.  Be alert.  Be prepared.

 

*A N95 Particulate mask and Safety glasses must be worn at all times in Slurry Room.  Safety glasses, rubber gloves and N95 rated particulate masks must be worn while working with slurry material.

Materials list:

– Sketchbook for notes, which are especially important in this process heavy class. (need not be new nor reserved only for

this class)

– Cheap electric soldering iron

– Set of wax tools

 http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Stainless-Steel-Carving-Tool-Set/700278?pos=1

From Reynolds Advanced Materials, 214-421-4377

– 11 lb. block of hard wax

– Trial size kit PMC 121-30 dry or Reoflex 30 dry

– Grinding Discs for angle grinder (as needed): 4” or 4 1/2” metal

– Cutting Discs for angle grinder (as needed): 4” or 4 1/2” metal

 

Bronze costs will be determined by the amount you use during semester. Metal is a commodity and the price can fluctuate. We will keep track of your usage and you will pay by check after the completion of your sculpture.

Brief description of Projects:

 

Project #1:  Small Cast Relief.  A 10-inch bas relief with personal iconography, combined with molding processes.  Object parameters to be discussed in class.

 

Project #2:  Direct 3D Fabrication. Sculptural form will be constructed using solid microcrystalline wax and/or wax sheet in preparation for a “lost wax” casting in bronze.  Object parameters to be discussed in class.

 

Students who have taken this class previously may choose to omit Project #1 and go directly to Project #2

Students are encouraged to use the FabLab for 3D printing in PLA for patterns.

 

Grading Criteria for projects/progress:

  1. Synthesis of form/content regarding projects
  2. Workmanship, care of craft
  3. Risk, scope and complexity of projects

 

Grading Code:

100-90 –A = Excellent. The project meets all of the criteria and compares favorably to the highest standard.

89-80 – B = Good. The project meets most of the criteria, but with noticeable room

for improvement.

79-70 – C = Average. The project exemplifies a moderate meeting of the criteria, but indicates significant room for improvement.

69-60 – D = Weak. The project is sub-standard, not meeting the criteria.

> 60 — F = Little or no effort is evidenced

 

Class Calendar                                                         

Friday 01/22 – intro and sketching

Friday 01/39 – plaque fabrication

Friday 02/05 – plaque fabrication and molding

Friday 02/12 – plaque fabrication and molding

Friday 02/19 – casting day #1

Friday 02/26 – casting day #2, chasing and finishing

Friday 03/05 – critique #1

Friday 03/12 – sculpture #2 fabrication

Friday 03/16 – Spring break

Friday 03/26 – molding

Friday 04/02 – molding

Friday 04/09 – casting day #2

Friday 04/16 – casting day #3

Friday 04/23 – chasing and finishing, patinas

Friday 04/30- final critique, class clean

At the University of Texas Arlington, taking attendance is not required but attendance is a critical indicator of student success. Each faculty member is free to develop his or her own methods of evaluating students’ academic performance, which includes establishing course-specific policies on attendance. As the instructor of this section, my policy is as follows:

Absences are only excused for participation in University-sanctioned events, significant and verifiable issues, or the observance of religious holidays. In the case of extended illness or injury, the doctor’s notes will give justification for a possible grade of “Incomplete.”

More than four unexcused absences will lower your final grade 10%.

Attendance to all critiques is absolutely required.

However, while UT Arlington does not require instructors to take attendance in their courses, the U.S. Department of Education requires that the University have a mechanism in place to mark when Federal Student Aid recipients “begin attendance in a course.” UT Arlington instructors will report when students begin attendance in a course as part of the final grading process. Specifically, when assigning a student a grade of F, faculty report must the last date a student attended their class based on evidence such as a test, participation in a class project or presentation, or an engagement online via Canvas. This date is reported to the Department of Education for federal financial aid recipients.

Attendance Policy:  Attendance to all seminars, lab days and critiques is required.

UTA students are encouraged to review the below institutional policies and informational sections and reach out to the specific office with any questions. To view this institutional information, please visit the Institutional Information page (https://www.uta.edu/provost/administrative-forms/course-syllabus/index.php) which includes the following policies among others:

  • Drop Policy
  • Disability Accommodations
  • Title IX Policy
  • Academic Integrity
  • Student Feedback Survey
  • Final Exam Schedule

Electronic Communication: UT Arlington has adopted MavMail as its official means to communicate with students about important deadlines and events, as well as to transact university-related business regarding financial aid, tuition, grades, graduation, etc. All students are assigned a MavMail account and are responsible for checking the inbox regularly. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, which remains active even after graduation. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at https://www.uta.edu/oit/cs/email/mavmail.php.

Student Support Services: UT Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. Resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals, students may visit the reception desk at University College (Ransom Hall), call the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-272-6107, send a message to resources@uta.edu, or view the information at https://www.uta.edu/universitycollege/resources/index.php

Emergency Exit Procedures:  Should we experience an emergency event that requires us to vacate the building, students should exit the room and move toward the nearest exits to the east and west ends of the SAC. When exiting the building during an emergency, one should never take an elevator but should use the stairwells. Faculty members and instructional staff will assist students in selecting the safest route for evacuation and will make arrangements to assist individuals with disabilities.