Wind Chimes
Create a set of wind chimes with clay. You will first choose which type of wind chime to create from the examples below. There are many options to choose from, each with their own requirements. Consider creating a wind chime with a theme or idea that runs throughout the entire piece. After deciding on which type of wind chime you would like to create, you will then create a very detailed sketch and diagram to turn in. You must plan out each piece you are making and a diagram of what holes go where, as well as a plan for stringing everything together . You will then begin constructing a base and various chimes (and other possible components). After firing, the pieces will then be painted or glazed, and finally strung up with string, fishing line or wire, for display. Only then will we know the sound they will produce.
Wind Chime Vocabulary
Creating a Base/Suspension Platform
After creating a plan, you will first create a base, also known as a suspension platform. A base or suspension platform holds everything together. It must be strong and be able to support the weight of everything below it. Depending on the style and thickness of your base, it may need to be hollow in order to survive the firing process. A base must have holes for hanging and holes to attach the tier of suspended objects below, which will also be made from clay. In most cases, your base must be three dimensional. Is can be sculptural or geometric (and this may depend on the type of chime you choose to create and which type of base will look best with your design).
After creating a plan, you will first create a base, also known as a suspension platform. A base or suspension platform holds everything together. It must be strong and be able to support the weight of everything below it. Depending on the style and thickness of your base, it may need to be hollow in order to survive the firing process. A base must have holes for hanging and holes to attach the tier of suspended objects below, which will also be made from clay. In most cases, your base must be three dimensional. Is can be sculptural or geometric (and this may depend on the type of chime you choose to create and which type of base will look best with your design).
Choosing a Style of Wind Chime
Below you will find a description of each style of chime, a visual example of each, and specific assignment requirements for each chime type.
Below you will find a description of each style of chime, a visual example of each, and specific assignment requirements for each chime type.
Cylindrical Wind Chime
Chimes are hung in a circular fashion around the base. A clapper is hung from the center, to hit the chimes to produce sound. A wind sail if often hung below the clapper to encourage movement. If you choose to make a cylindrical windchime (a more traditional chime), you must create a three dimensional base (aka suspension platform) plus 5 chimes, a clapper/striker, and a wind sail. The chimes can be tubes or flat slabs. If you create flat chimes they must be representational of something and include carved or incised details. The chimes must have holes for hanging in a circular pattern around the base. The striker/clapper, hangs from the center of your base (and will need a hole on top and bottom). A wind sail must hang from the clapper/striker (and will need a hole on top).
Cylindrical Wind Chime Summary of Requirements: 1 Base (3d) 5 chimes (slab or 3d) 1 clapper/striker (slab or 3d) 1 wind sail (slab of 3d) |
Spiral Wind Chime
Chimes are strategically hung around a circular base in a spiral staircase fashion, one slightly lower than the next. Objects hit each other to produce sound. If you choose to make a spiral wind chime, you must create a three dimensional base (aka suspension platform) plus a minimum of 7 objects to hang, in a spiral pattern, from the base. The chimes CAN be flat slabs but must be representational of something and include carved or incised details. The chimes must each have one hole for hanging. The chimes must be hung in a spiral circular pattern and be staggered so each can hit the object above and below it.
Spiral Wind Chime Summary of Requirements: 1 Base (3d) 7 chimes (slab or 3d) |
Linear Wind Chime
Chimes are hung in a row from a linear base. Often times linear chimes will have multiple tiers of chimes hung close together which hit each other to produce sound. LineaIf you choose to make a linear chime you must create a base (aka suspension platform) that is long enough, wide enough, and strong enough to support all the pieces below it. You must create at least 2 tiers below your base and each tier must have a minimum of 4 pieces each. Your tiers can be made from flat slabs but must be representational of something and include carved or incised details. The chimes in the first tier must each have a hole on top and bottom and the objects in the second tier will only need one hole on top.
Linear Wind Chime Summary of Requirements: 1 base (can be more 2d) 8 chimes (slab or 3d) |
Bell Wind Chime
Chimes are stacked vertically on one string. A bell chime creates sound when a hidden bead or clapper, hits the inside of the tier like a bell. It also can produce sound, without a bead or clapper, by hanging lower tiers slightly inside of the tier above. If you choose to make a bell chime, you must have a minimum of 4 tiers or levels. The first tier is considered your base (suspension platform). Each tier must be three dimensional and sculptural (they cannot be geometric forms). Each tier, including your base, will need a hole. The holes in each section must line up in order to hang each piece from one another on one string/wire. If you choose to make a bead or clapper to produce sound, there must be one in each tier and the bead or clapper must have a hole in order to string your piece up correctly after firing.
Bell Wind Chime Summary of Requirements: 1 base (3d) 3 tiers (3d) |
Things to consider when making the chimes:
Thin pieces of clay create a prettier sound but will be more fragile and can break easily. Thicker pieces will sound more clunky. Glaze can alter the sound of the pieces slightly. Consider where you may want to display your wind chime. The sound a wind chime produces can be just as important as how it looks.
Thin pieces of clay create a prettier sound but will be more fragile and can break easily. Thicker pieces will sound more clunky. Glaze can alter the sound of the pieces slightly. Consider where you may want to display your wind chime. The sound a wind chime produces can be just as important as how it looks.
More examples coming soon!
Examples of what NOT to do.
Do NOT make multiple simple shapes strung together. Although they may look nice, this will NOT meet the requirements for this assignment.