Miranda Dyson, Children’s Education Associate
Fixed in Motion: Sculpture and Prints of Albert Paley, is now on display at FWMoA through September 27. This exhibition showcases two galleries of dynamic metal and glass sculptures, alongside colorful prints. Having created art for over 50 years, Paley has made sculptures—custom gates, public art, landscape art, and furniture—as well as works on paper, and displayed them around the world. He is most interested in how his art, “emotionally and intellectually engages the viewer.”
For this Saturday Studio project, we’ll create our own miniature, at home versions of metal and “glass” sculptures.
You will want materials that are reflective, flexible, or clear. Along with cardboard and hot glue, I gathered a variety of materials including tinfoil, wire, marbles, and clear plastic. Streamers, tulle, ribbon, and rhinestones are all great options for this project as well. As long as it is pliable and able to be adhered with hot glue, it can be used here!
I’m aiming for my sculpture to have a sense of movement with layers of different materials. Paley’s work is organic, with folds and curves in different materials that interact with each other.
The bases of many of his sculptures includes long sheets of metal that fold back and forth on top of themselves. For my sculpture, I started by taking a piece of tinfoil, folded for stability, and bent into a hill shape. I used tape to tac it onto my cardboard until I was ready to glue it in place.
I added an arch out of tinfoil behind the hill as well. The width of materials changes throughout Paley’s sculptures, so I added a thin silver wire around the pieces in the center. Sticking to the organic style, I wanted lots of curves and spirals.
Thick, clear plastic was my glass substitute. Depending on which piece you’re looking at, the glass might be curved, in a solid block, or folded. I sinched my plastic in the middle and glued it to the cardboard underneath the hill. At this point I removed the little stars that were attached to the silver wire.
Next, I added three marbles for some variety in color, material, and shape. I bent the wire, making sure there was a good spot to hold the marbles before attaching them with hot glue.
Finally, I picked silver party tinsel. Using the arch and cardboard as connection points, I wound the tinsel into the shapes I wanted. The goal was to make it look like the strands were falling into place on their own and frozen there.
What does your mini sculpture look like? What materials did you choose?
For more inspiration, visit Fixed in Motion: Sculpture and Prints of Albert Paley, now on view at FWMoA through September 27!