MAKING A MODEL OF A ROMAN TRIUMPHAL ARCH
Art critics often approach their study of architecture just as they do the study of paintings or sculptures. They begin by describing what they see, and then they analyze the ways the principles have been used to organize the elements. After that they interpret the meanings, moods, and feelings the work communicates. Finally, they judge whether the work succeeds and explain why. Doing this helps the critic understand and appreciate a work of architecture.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
You will build a model of a triumphal arch out of cardboard and construction paper. Your work should have three rounded arches and columns. You will use a variety of different shapes and forms. Some of these will be repeated to add harmony. Your work will have formal balance. (See Figure 7-17.)
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Empty cardboard soap or cereal box, taped shut
- Large sheets of colored construction paper, including gray and black
- Pencil, sketchbook, scissors, and white glue
- Assortment of magazines featuring sports illustrations
- Scraps of heavy cardboard
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Design your triumphal arch in your sketchbook based on one of your school's sports teams winning an important victory. Make sure your work has three rounded arches and columns. Draw in a freestanding sculpture of the coach and star players. Then sketch in relief carvings on the arches that highlight the winning game.
- Place the cardboard box down flat on a sheet of gray construction paper. With the pencil, trace around the box. Hold a second sheet of gray construction paper firmly against the first. Using scissors, carefully cut through both sheets along the line you drew. Glue the sheets to the font and back of the box. Cover the top and side panels of the box with gray construction paper.
- Look back at the drawing you made in your sketchbook. Doubling two sheets of black construction paper, cut out two large rounded arches and four smaller ones. Glue these arches in place of the front and back of the box. Use your drawing as a guide.
- Use construction paper to create columns and other decorations. Glue these in place.
- Look through the sports magazines. Locate black-and-white photographs showing scenes of the sport you chose for your design drawing. Look for action shots that focus on athletes. Cut these out and trim them to fit on your arch. Glue those that are to work as reliefs directly to the arch. Glue those that are to work as freestanding sculptures to small scraps of heavy cardboard before gluing them in place on the arch. This will make them seem to project outward in space.
- When the glue has dried, display your arch. Compare your work with that of your classmates. Safety Tip Be very careful when using cutting tools such as scissors and knives. Pick these up only by the handle, never by the blade. Make sure also to offer the handle when you are handing the tool to another person.
Evaluating Your Work
Describe |
Point out the round arches on the front and back of your arch. Point out the columns. Point out the two different types of sculpture. |
Analyze |
Tell whether your arch has formal balance. Identify the variety of shapes and forms you used Tell whether these add harmony to the work. |
Interpret |
State whether your arch tells the story of an important team win. Tell whether it communicates pride in this victory. |
Judge |
Tell whether you feel you work succeeds. Explain your answer. |
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