I spent part of my morning at our daughter's elementary school. I've volunteered for the art/lit coordinator position. I'm so glad I did. I had the privilege today of teaching the children about a somewhat local artist that is a favorite, Dale Chihuly.
I was in charge of the introduction. I was able to get them quite excited explaining what a sculpture is and how large glass sculptures could really be. http://www.chihuly.com/ Dale Chihuly no longer blows glass due to an eye injury, but paints what he wants in glass first and then his studio team helps to create his vision.
Today, the children decorated plastic punch cups with handles. They used Sharpies and filled them with color. After that, we put them in the foil-lined toaster oven on broil and watched the magic. They twisted and folded and took on the same fluid curves of Mr. Chihuly's work. The children were in awe. After the pieces cooled, they were joined together to create a class chandelier.
They really understand the awesomeness of his art and were very excited to learn more.
NOTE: If anyone wants to try this, it's easy. Just remember to open a window and keep it ventilated. The fumes were a bit much by the end of the 1/2 hour art project with 60 cups to melt.
This photo was taken tonight at "Art Night" where they strung up the cups and created a chandelier. The piece wasn't lit at all. We were so disappointed. It would have looked great with little twinkle lights in the middle to show off the beautiful colors.
The nice thing is, this is a simple project you could do with the class, or with your son at home with your own toaster oven you can pick up at a thrift store or garage sale. :)
We didn't keep ours either. It hangs in the library at the school.
Posted by: Susan Finch | November 28, 2010 at 06:56 PM
I saw a small version of this at my son's school! The teacher refused to give them up to the children, and hung the chandelier in her classroom. I'm going to do this project next week with the children this year in my son's class. I hope they come out as beautiful as yours!!
Posted by: Stephanie Tunney | November 28, 2010 at 05:59 PM
these are sssooooo cooooooool i wish i could make something like that
Posted by: kaela | January 21, 2009 at 03:54 PM
these are al like sooooooooooooo amazing and i know that you hear that alot but WOW it rocks :) :) :) :) :) :)
Posted by: Rena | October 23, 2008 at 09:03 AM