Metal Casting

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Understand the basics of metal casting as a sculptural practice.

• Understand the basics of mold making for use in metal casting.

• Explore the perceptual/conceptual understanding of cast metal sculptures, and the techniques to craft them, through physical construction, conceptual conversations, and visual/verbal analysis.

• Explore the compositional, and conceptual implications of sculptural form and structure in space.

• Critically evaluate the formal and expressive aspects of peer, and professional artworks

• Demonstrate proper and safe use of power tools, equipment, and hand tools in the studio classrooms and wood shop facility, as well as a basic understanding of a safe communal studio practice.

• Understand how to craft, and finish, metal cast sculpture for exhibition.

• Present work and participate in constructive discussions, critiques, and class activities.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Project 1	10%
Project 2	20%
Project 3	30%
Project 4	40%
Final Portfolio	5%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
100-94	A
93-90	A-
89-88	B+
87-84	B
83-80	B-
79-78	C+
77-74	C
73-70	C-
69-68	D+
67-64	D
63-60	D-
59-0	F

Attendance/Participation:

Students are allowed to take THREE absences. A 4th absence will result in a 1-LetterStudents are responsible for completing any work missed during their absence and for obtaining pertinent class notes & materials.

Missed classes will result in lost knowledge; this class is heavily dependent on the in-class demonstrations and in class work time.

Follow all studio rules; posted or discussed during in class demonstrations on specific foundry activities

Safety First. Students must always have eye protection on while working, and ear protection dependent on the tool/machine.

Proper attire is needed while in the shop. We will go over this but it means no flip flops, no hair down, no loose clothing… etc.

Do not work unless you can be fully attentive to your actions. These tools are dangerous.

Do not use any power tools unless there is a faculty member, or a shop monitor in the room. The classroom is only open during class time and during scheduled monitored hours.

Limit cell phone use. You may use electronic devices for research or for music while working on certain tools, please make sure you only have one ear in, or it is quiet enough to hear your tools (very important) or to hear me if I have an announcement. No cell phone use during demonstrations, lectures, or critiques.

Unless being used to record demonstrations/lectures.

If you have a question about a tool or need help moving something.... ask. PLEASE do not hesitate to seek help EVER.

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate, and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

• Work clothes

• Pants: Cotton/wool/denim. LIMIT SYNTHETIC MATERIALS

• Tops: Cotton/wool/linen/ long sleeve shirt or fire proof jacket over plain clothes, NO SYNTHETICS!

• Leather boots/shoes, do not need be steel-toe, must be full leather (required when working with fire) ((no synthetic materials))

• Closed toe shoes (required at all times in the foundry)

• Hair tie, headband, welding cap, slaps, caps. (needed to protect your hair from fire and protect loose ends from getting snagged in rotational power tools)

• Leather MIG welding gloves *GET SIZES THAT FIT!!

• Safety glasses or face shield (even if you wear prescription glasses)((can get prescription safety glasses))

• Respirator (half facemask with replaceable filters is recommended; N-95 mask is bare minimum)

• Sketchbook and pencil/pen

• Sharpie markers

• Digital camera

• Be prepared to purchase consumables for yourself as needed (grinding/cutting/sanding disc, wire wheels, etc)

• Students will need to purchase the metal they cast if they wish to keep the sculptures.

• Purchasing of the metal is only required if you keep your sculptures. It is not required for grade just if you want to keep them.

• Various other materials/consumables may need to be purchased based on student project needs and more.

• Optional purchase (items you may want/need to buy so you do not have to use studio shared items)

• Personal Leather PPE used in casting

• Hardhat with metal mesh screen used in metal casting

• 4 ½” angle grinder

• Various wax working tools