Foam Carving
From a solid piece of balsa foam or floral foam, create an abstract organic form, taking inspiration from nature. Choose an organic visual to reference (image or object in nature) to work from. Do not try to replicate the object, take inspiration from the form, shapes, textures, and patterns that you see in the object. Carve, sand, and scrape away pieces of foam to create different areas that are concave and others that are convex. Remove flat edges to create an abstract, nonrepresentational, organic form. Avoid creating one simple geometric shape. When your piece is finished, it should be difficult to see that it began as a solid block. Take time and be careful when you work, the foam is very fragile and breaks and chips easily. You are working organically and can turn mistakes into happy accidents. The foam creates a lot of dust. You may want to wear a mask or work outside to avoid breathing in the dust.
Grading Criteria (10 points total)
2 points: 3 D foam sculpture with forms, shapes, textures and/or patterns organic in nature photographed from different viewpoints against a plain background or placed near the object in which you took inspiration.
2 points: completed piece has areas that are concave and convex and does not look like one geometric shape
2 points: it is difficult to see that the finished piece began as a solid block
4 points: Take a minimum of 4 progress photos while you work to turn in or create a time lapse video of the progress (set an alarm as you work to remember)
additional point deductions
-1 point for late work
-1 point if google form is incomplete or not explained
Grading Criteria (10 points total)
2 points: 3 D foam sculpture with forms, shapes, textures and/or patterns organic in nature photographed from different viewpoints against a plain background or placed near the object in which you took inspiration.
2 points: completed piece has areas that are concave and convex and does not look like one geometric shape
2 points: it is difficult to see that the finished piece began as a solid block
4 points: Take a minimum of 4 progress photos while you work to turn in or create a time lapse video of the progress (set an alarm as you work to remember)
additional point deductions
-1 point for late work
-1 point if google form is incomplete or not explained
In this video, they are carving balsa wood, which is a very soft wood, but hard in comparison to the material in which you are working. The foam will break and chip easily so take care when working.
Internet Examples (carved from balsa wood)
Student Examples (carved from balsa foam)
More Student Examples (carved from floral foam) Coming Soon!