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Clay Gargoyles

Grade:9-12

Curriculum Area: VisualArt

Unit of Study/Art history/Cultural context: Clay, Sculpture. Gargoyles

SPI's/Standards of Art: TN: 1.1.1-1.1.4, 1.3.1-.1.3.4, 1.4.1-1.4.4, 2.1.1-2.1.4, 3.1, 4.1

Objectives:

Students will create a gargoyle creature out of clay, using theappropriate tools and techniques of sculpting. (1.1-2.1)

Students will interpret the functions of gargoyles & otherapotropaic devices from an Art History perspective. (3.1, 4.1)

Students will learn about the significance and symbolism ofgargoyles in Gothic architecture. (4.1)

Materials:

Pencil Eraser Clay Slip Clay tools Newspaper

Assessment Strategies:

Questions and responses during presentation to show understanding. Individual monitoring during guided & independent practice (double-check comprehension). Rubric for the final project: scoring based on how well Objectives were met in the project. (Good

effort; cleanliness and craftsmanship; creature is a mix of animals; sculpture does not crumble or fall

apart; texture is applied.)

At the end of the semester, the final exam will include questions about Clay.

Guided Learning Steps:

PowerPoint IntroductionStudents learn about the history of gargoyles and their purpose in Gothicarchitecture and art history. They learn about terms like apotropaic (wards of evil) and chimera (a

beast made of different animal parts). Students learn about clay, the techniques, and tools used to createceramic sculptures. Examples of clay gargoyles are shown for ideas.

Demonstration/Guided PracticeStudents will research imagery of different gargoyles, as well asanimals, and construct two to three different ideas for a gargoyle to create. Students must include

features and texture that will be added. They select their favorite, and check with teacher first beforestarting on their project.

Individual Practice(Project)[3-4 days]Students will follow demonstration on building the head andbody by wrapping slabs of clay around newspaper, so it will be hollow. Then they will add features that

are 3-Dimensional to build their gargoyle: eyes, nose/snout, mouth, ears, wings, tail, hands and feet,etc. They also will add texture of some sort, like animal fur or scales. For students who complete theirclay gargoyle early, they will be given a handout on Gothic architecture, and draw on paper awall/corner for their gargoyle to perch.

ReflectionStudents will discuss their choices and how they added texture; how clay differs fromother projects.

Vocab: gargoyles, apotropaic, chimera, Gothic period, clay/ceramic, slip, pinch, coil, slab, kiln, glaze

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Essential Questions:

1. What are gargoyles? What was their historic purpose?a. What type of architecture are they featured on?

i. What are characteristics of this style?2.

What is clay? What tools and techniques are used in clay building?

3. How can I apply hand-building techniques to make a piece of applied or fine art?4. How can I apply pinch, coil and slab techniques for my gargoyle?5. What animal parts is your gargoyle made of? Is it a chimera, or something else?

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