Activity 3: Public Art Sketchbook
Recommended age group: Middle school – High school
The Buoyant Force sculpture is considered public art. Public art is located in a public space for everyone to enjoy. Oftentimes, public art is located where many people gather, such as a park. There are many things to think about when creating a public art sculpture, such as materials, the environment in which it placed, the colors and shape it will be, and the name. Additionally, signs installed around the structure can help to better explain it to the public.
With just a few simple materials, you can make a Public Art Sketchbook to visualize your own creations.
You will need: several sheets of paper (computer or construction paper), a stapler, a pencil, and colored pencils/markers (optional).
1. To begin, make your sketchbook by folding 4-5 sheets of paper in half together. Make sure your paper is laid out horizontally in front of you when you fold into a notebook size.
2. Staple along the fold of papers three times.
3. Flip your sketchbook open to the first page (after the cover) and begin brainstorming your public art piece. You can make doodles or write down ideas. A few things to think about are:
- The name of the sculpture
- The materials it is made of
- The size
- The environment (i.e. urban city, park, desert, metro station)
- The shape and color
The overall concept (What is the purpose of the sculpture? What does it stand for?)
4. Flip the page and begin sketching your sculpture. Try to add details like trees, people, cars, and buildings to show the scale of the artwork in comparison. You can also add color with colored pencils or markers.