Ceramic Shoes – Wild and Wacky

Objectives Learn about the history of shoes and shoes from various cultures. Create a shoe using slab and coil techniques. Become familiar with basic additive and subtractive sculpting methods while adding imaginative features to their shoe. Exhibit craftsmanship in using clay. Learn glazing techniques by finishing their shoe with glazes.

History of Shoes A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. The design of shoes has varied enormously through time and from culture to culture, with appearance originally being tied to function. Fashion has also dictated many design elements, such as whether shoes have very high heels or flat ones.

The earliest known shoes are sandals dating from approximately 7,000 or 8,000 BCE, found in the Fort Rock Cave in Oregon. (ON THE RIGHT) - The world’s oldest leather shoe, made from a single piece of cowhide laced with a leather cord along seams at the front and back, was found in a cave in Armenia in 2008 and is believed to date to 3,500 B.C. History of Shoes

Art Terms Sculpture- An artwork made by modeling, carving, casting, or joining materials into a three-dimensional form. Additive method- A technique for creating a three-dimensional artwork in which materials, such as clay or found objects, are added or assembled. Subtractive method- A technique used in creating three-dimensional artworks in which materials are removed or carved away.

Materials Pencils Clay Slip Sponges Glazes Rolling pins

Procedures 1.Using a rolling pin and canvas, roll out an even slab of clay. 2.Cut the sole of your shoe from this slab. Hint- you may want to use your own foot for scale (although clay will shrink so the finished shoe will be smaller). 3.Form the heel of the shoe using slab, coil, or pinching methods. 4.Attach the heel to upside down sole, then place shoe right side up. Support arch of shoe if needed with wads of newspaper. 5.Use additive and subtractive techniques to add the remaining details. Each shoe will require different methods. Score and slip sections together. 6.Use a sponge to smooth all rough areas before letting shoe dry. Add any desired textures and allow to dry slowly for bisque firing. 7.After firing, glaze with glazes and fire again.

Examples

Unique Shoes

Brainstorm Ideas for a Wild & Wacky Shoe 1.Brainstorm a list of random ideas for shoes. Ideas- shoes to cook in, shoes to go around the world in, shoes to wear on the ceiling, shoes with a mind of their own, shoes that sing, shoes that float, shoes to hold water…. 2.Draw 3 sketches of ideas for a wild and wacky shoe. Select the best image. 3.Draw your shoe from all sides- aerial, bottom, side, and front. 4.Make a paper pattern to scale. You will use this pattern to cut out your shoe from clay.

Self-Assessment 1.Did I brainstorm long enough to come up with a clever idea? 2.Did I develop my sketch with originality? 3.Did I make my clay pattern to scale prior to cutting my clay? 4.Did I use proper joining techniques? 5.Did I spend time on details and refining of my clay shoes? 6.Did I use the right amount of glaze? (Not too thick or thin) 7.Did I clean all of the glaze off of the bottom of my pieces prior to firing? 8.What is the title of my project?

Evaluation 1.Create an original design - make several thumbnail sketches? 2.Create the basic form of the shoe using slabs and coils? 3.Use both additive and subtractive methods to create interesting features on their shoe? 4.Finish shoes using underglazes and/or glazes; were they used correctly?