In-person course
in Nottingham Maker & location details

Kinetic Sculpture for 15 - 17 Year Olds - Nottingham Trent University

Description

Have you ever seen awe-inspiring moving sculptures and wondered how they balance? On this course you will be introduced to the art, craft and design of mobile sculpture making. This course is ideal for anyone with a curiosity for design and making; whether you are interested in physics and engineering or art and design you’ll develop new technical skills and forms of creative expression. The course is both practical and theoretical – creating and balancing mobiles can be developed with either mathematics, trial and error or following your intuition. All methods will be taught and explored, and you can follow the style that suit you most. Looking at the intersection between art, design, physics, and engineering, on this course your imagination will take centre stage, and your creations will come to life with movement! You’ll learn and apply simple principles of physics and mechanics alongside experimentation and creativity to develop and produce your own kinetic sculptures. You’ll also have the opportunity and support to develop your mobile idea as a ‘stabile’, that is, having a stand or mount to be a floor or table based moving sculpture. During this course, you will: • embark on a full creative process • learn about the specific art-form and historical works of kinetic sculpture • understand balance, force and movement principals • show a range of art, craft and design skills in a wide variety of materials • develop your concept and theme ideation • design through drawing • work on wire forming in soft and sprung metals • form lightweight 3D shapes with 2D materials • use simple hand tools and some workshop machinery to create further developed parts in wood, metal and plastics • create sculptures that dance, spin, and captivate the eye. This course is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the workshop and studio environment and create new work for your portfolio. You’ll leave with an understanding of kinetic principles and have developed your creative confidence and technical expertise and take away your own finished kinetic sculpture. From delving into the physics of balance to honing your design skills and exploring diverse materials with hands-on experience, you’ll have gained a robust set of skills. Tutor profile: Mark Beeston is a Nottingham-based, multi-disciplinary artist, designer, maker and facilitator. His creative and practical flair has been taken into small and larger scale public and community mobile and kinetic art commissions; creative community events; outdoor play and learning environment consultation, design and production for schools and visitor centres; model, prototype and furniture making for theatre, TV, architects and domestic clients. Mark also works as a technical specialist in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment workshops at Nottingham Trent University.