Materials Included
In this hands-on forging workshop, with the use and understanding of fundamental forging mathematics we will forge a collaborative sculpture based off of a maquette. Students will learn how to measure from the maquette, multiply scale, and calculate volume to make a scaled up version of the sculpture. Sculptural forging theory will also be discussed and considered. As a group we will converse about art vs craft, how the two blend, how important is process vs concept and what makes forging an exciting medium for sculptors in the 21st century.
Some of the mathematical concepts covered will include calculations for forging stock, various styles of tapers, and tenons. Students can expect to become familiar with and learn the formulas to calculate the volume of an existing shape (from a drawing or maquette) and figure out how much stock is needed to create this shape from different starting stock dimensions, with the additional challenge of changing the scale.
Time will be spent in the mornings learning and practicing geometry and algebra related to the process of forging followed by time spent in the shop executing your calculations. The creation of a truly scaled up sculpture will rely on your understanding of these concepts.
This valuable and underutilized skill set will have you forging much more efficiently and confidently on your own projects. Knowing you have the right amount of material for your project is empowering and allows you to focus much more on the physical proceeds of forging and significantly limits material waste and guess work. Forging mathematics is just another tool in your tool box and the understanding of these formulas has had a more positive impact on my work than any other tool.
*sculpture pictured is not the exact sculpture students will be making, but is representative of the style in which they will be working.
