Submitted by: Joani Share,
Arcadia High School, Phoenix, Arizona
UNIT: 3-D Design - Sculpture - Assemblage
Lesson: Joseph Cornell Box
Grade Level: High School (adaptable to middle school)
Don’t
Judge A Box by Its Cover
This purpose of this
assignment is to create a personal cabinet or box. Just as you can’t
judge a book by its cover, or a person by their outward appearance the
problem that you must solve in creating this cabinet is for the inside and
outside of this cabinet to be different. An object of contrasts!
Front - back - and inside - Click images for larger views
One of the most famous and
noted artists who worked with boxes and the concept of placing images
inside a shadow type box was Joseph
Cornell. Before you delve further into this assignment, you will
be viewing work by Cornell and other artists who use boxes and altars as a
means of expression.
Design Considerations:
Doors. You will
be using a jigsaw. Curved lines work well. Angular cuts are very difficult
to do. As you design the door front, think about the size and shape of the
doors - can you actually cut them?
Outside Design, Color,
Pattern, etc. What your completed cabinet looks like on the
outside must be different from the inside. You can paint, stencil, draw,
stamp, carve, and wood burn the outside of the cabinet. Think about adding
to/extending top of the box (to make a "shrine" or
retablos)
You can add items to the surface of the cabinet on the sides,
doors, and top- remember to consider the weight and balance and how added
items will contribute to stability.
Look through the two books on Decorative Paint for hints on surface
design.
Inside: The
inside of the box should be personal and meaningful to you. This is not
just a useful box or cabinet, this is being created as a work of art. Use
the inside of this box to make a personal, political or other such
artistically intriguing message. Everyone will be expected to view the web
sites listed on the back of this page.
Legs or No Legs:
This is a design decision you must make. You will need to decide this
before you actually build the cabinet. If there are legs- what shape, and
size? Think about stability.
You
will be expected to design this box on paper before you begin.
EVERYONE will be expected
to view the following sites for ideas:
1) In the space below list some of the
ideas you liked from the sites you visited.
2) From these ideas, make
another list of themes, messages, or personal statements that will be used
inside your cabinet.
3) Generate a third list of
items you will need to complete the inside of your box.
4) Using the thumbnail
paper- begin designing the outside of the cabinet.
Start
from the Inside - Out. Good Luck, Have Fun Creating!
Book
The Joseph Cornell Box: Found Objects, Magical Worlds
- Working with found objects, pages from old books, and dime-store trinkets, self-taught artist Joseph Cornell transformed everyday materials into extraordinary universes.
Suggestion:
Work
with Industrial technology teacher if you do not have power tools. Have
students cut all of your wood pieces. Make the basic boxes all the same
size to begin with. Bring in a jig saw for individual work. See Women
Beyond Border Exhibit: http://www.womenbeyondborders.org/ex_intro.htm
If
you are on a tight budget, boxes can be made from corrugated cardboard.
There are many ways to hinge cardboard doors (masking tape on front and
back edge - ribbon pieces - cardboard hinges - for a few). Taping box with
wide masking tape hides the edges and will prevent cardboard from warping
when painted, paper machéd or collaged. Assorted collage materials can be
used.
