Classical Sculptures
Reimagined For Kids
Date
Apr 3, 2019
Duration
3 Days
Target Audience
The target audience for this project is children aged 3-8 years old who are interested in classical art scultures or mythological animals and enjoy playing with toys.
Team
Facilitator: Pinak Banik
This is an individual project and can be completed by designers with expertise in Toy Design, 3D Modeling or Sculpting.
Project Brief
Welcome to the world of sculpting for kids! The mission for this project is to transform dull, lifeless materials like clay, plaster, thermocol or wire mesh into fun and interactive toys that'll keep kids entertained for hours while building a connect with classical art and culture.
I shall be taking inspiration from some of the greatest sculptures of all time, like the Nandi from my recent visit to the Lepakshi Temple of Andhra Pradesh and the Flying Horse of Gansu from China. I'm hoping to give them a kid-friendly twist, so get ready to sculpt your way into the hearts of children everywhere!
Deliverables
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Concept sketches of the toy design
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Prototype of the toy to be exhibited
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Images of the toy from different angles
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Documentation
Design Considerations
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The toy should be safe and durable for young children to play with.
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The design should reflect the cultural significance of Nandi.
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The toy should be visually appealing and engaging for children.
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The toy should be easy for children to hold and manipulate.
The Process & Outcome: The Rocking Bull
Let's travel back in time to ancient India when people were mostly cattle rearing and wanted to protect their cows (and their milkshakes, obviously). In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva, the god of skies and destruction, used to ride a bull named Nandi. Nandi was no ordinary bull, though. He was the bearer of truth and righteousness, which is why you can find his statue in most Hindu temples. It's believed that Shiva with Nandi is one of the oldest forms of Hindu representation - dating before 3000 BC! That's right, Nandi is older than your great-grandma's stories.
Now, let's fast-forward to the present and the most important part of this story: toys! The aim of the project was to create a toy for young children inspired by a classical sculpture, and I chose to use the concept of Nandi being a vehicle to create a rocking bull. Because, let's be honest, who wouldn't want to rock and roll on a bull? I mean, it's not as wild as a mechanical bull at a rodeo, but it sure is fun! Plus, this toy maintains the cultural significance of the original sculpture, and it's an excellent way to teach kids about their own cultures.
So, I got to work with clay modeling, and let me tell you, it was no bull! First, I prepared the clay with jute fibers. Then, I started modeling the clay and created the rocking base of the toy with almost half of the prepared clay. With the other half, I started molding the clay in the shape of the bull, complete with ears and horns (no bullfighting here!). I finished sculpting in one day so I let it air dry through the night.
The next day, I made some minor corrections to the curves of the base (because even bulls need to have the perfect curves, am I right?), then painted the sculpture black after giving it a white wash. To make it even more captivating, I painted the decorative details of the sculpture with a bright golden color (because it fit the cultural context of a gold loving country). Finally, I mounted the sculpture on the painted base, and voila! The bull was ready to rock and roll (or should I say, rock and bull?)
The Process & Outcome: The Swinging Horse
Giddy up, folks! Let me tell you the tale of The Flying Horse of Gansu - a bronze statue that was unearthed in 1969 in Wuwei County, Gansu Province. It was discovered in a Han Dynasty general's tomb and was said to have traveled the Silk Road like a seasoned backpacker. This horse had a unique talent for balancing on one hoof on the back of a swallow - talk about a party trick! With only one foot on the ground, this horse was a true acrobat, light on its feet and a master of equilibrium. It's no wonder it's now a cultural relic displayed in the Gansu Provincial Museum.
Inspired by this masterpiece, I decided to make my own horse toy, but with a little twist. My toy looks still at first glance, but up close, it's got a pendulum-like arrangement of parts that gives off a sense of motion. Just like the real deal, my horse looks like it's flying through the air!
Now, let's get down to business. I've never done thermocol sculpting before, so I had to get some blades and sandpaper. Then, I drew up templates of the horse's body parts and cut them out. I layered the body three times to give it more volume, and then I started sculpting the thermocol using sandpaper and blades.
After assembling the horse's parts using wires and fevicol, I painted them blue, green, and pink - the perfect colors for a playful toy. I even added tiny ears for extra cuteness! At first, I tried balancing my sculpture on a thermocol frame, but that just wasn't cutting it. Thanks to Pinak's assessment, I realized I needed a sturdier base, so I used some scrap wood to create a proper frame.
And voila! My toy horse was ready to be exhibited, and it was a hit! This project taught me a lot about thermocol sculpting, balancing, and the importance of a strong foundation. I felt like a real artist, and now I'm eager to take on even more projects. Who knows? Maybe I'll even make a sculpture of a unicorn next!
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Learnings & Shortcomings
I embarked on a journey of artistic discovery where I gained a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship and center of gravity in classical sculptures. It's amazing how such ancient artifacts hold so much cultural value that it inspired me to learn more about how history and culture can influence art. During the project I tried to challenge myself by sculpting with an unfamiliar medium, thermocol. Let's just say that I had to cut through a lot of foam to get where I wanted to be! Along the way, I learned the hard way about the importance of proper framing and balancing in creating sculptures. My first attempt was a little bit like a tower of Jenga blocks ready to topple over at any moment. But I didn't let that setback discourage me. It just made me more mindful of balance and framing in my future projects, and I'm excited to see where my newfound creative skills will take me.
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