1. An Art 10 Sculpture Project
For the Birds…
An Art 10 Sculpture Project

2. What would it be like to be a bird?

3. What do birds do all day long?

4. Birds in Flight

5. Birds Landing

6. Birds Walking

7. Birds Running

8. Birds Eating

9. Birds Just Hanging Around

10. Sleepy Birds

11. What will your bird be doing?

12. Project Guidelines & Process…
For this project, you will be creating a whimsical sculpture of a bird using aluminum pop cans and wire based ONE or both birds (hybrid)
Upon completing the “Birds Birds Birds” sketchbook assignment, students will choose ONE (or both = hybrid) of the birds and create several (at least 3!) thumbnail sketches in order to explore the bird’s shape, proportion, texture, patterns, etc.
Students will also gather several images of this bird from a variety of angles to be used as extra visual references
Decide on how you wish to represent your bird! (ex. at rest, in flight, landing, etc.)
Once the final design has been decided upon, begin to build the armature out of coat hangars and wire – the armature should be the main frame of the bird and include wings, neck, legs, torso, etc.

13. Main Process for Bird Creation
Use a compass to puncture a hole in the can
Cut off the ends using classroom scissors
Roll out the aluminum so that it is flat and forms a rectangle
Think about the shapes of the body parts (main torso, head and beak, legs, wings, etc.) – How will these be formed by the aluminum? How will you cut the aluminum and shape it? How will you join these main body elements? (you will have already experimented with copper wire and 5 minute epoxy in your practice flower assignment)
You will need to do some experimenting and BE PATIENT with yourself as you work with this new medium
In addition, BE CAREFULL as metal is sharp and can cut you! Please make sure to follow safety instructions and use the gloves provided when you can.
You are welcome to try using a repoussé technique (Ms. Walsh to demonstrate) in order to create a relief design for patterned aspects such as the feathers on the wings
Use fine copper wire to connect the feathers to the wings and then for attaching the wings to the bodies
Epoxy can be used when the fine wire is not working

14. MATERIALS… Choose pop cans of a similar kind in order to create unity
OR choose a few of the same in order to create a pattern, rhythm and movement 
You may decide to SPRAY PAINT your bird at the end of the project if you wish
The final sculptures will be hung/displayed in the classroom and then in the final show of the year (hopefully!)
There will be a class critique at the end of this project 
MATERIALS…
Sketchbooks
Graphite
Aluminum cans (approximately 10-15)
Coat hangars
Copper wire
Wire cutters, pliers, scissors, compasses
5-minute epoxy
Nylon thread (for hanging)
Spray paint (optional!)

15. Build an armature first!

16. Then attach details like feathers, etc.

24. Made of Paper! But gives you an idea of how you could also shape the metal!

25. Made with Old CD’s. Again, it gives you some ideas of how you could shape the metal 

26. Hitchcock’s Birds – Students Attacked by Crows!