Useless objects. Form and function

We started by doing our ‘Studio Checkin’ where I showed the class images of a sculpture I am currently working on for Maynooth University. There were lots of great questions about the materials and process of making.

Drawing on some of the ideas behind the sculpture I asked the class to draw what they thought was happening in their brains when they were learning something new. The children came up to the ‘portal’ to show me some of their beautiful drawings and ideas about what they imagined to be happening.

Usefulness and Uselessness. 

Continuing from last week we looked a few funny useful inventions one of my favourites being the butter stick .

We then talked about how objects could be useless and what happens when we take away an objects use.  What kind of forms were left and what volumes of materials did they become. The idea is start thinking about the value of objects and materials and how they can become waste.

We looked at examples of objects made useless and thought of objects in the room that we could remove their use. There was lots of laughter and fun and a burst of ideas.

Making objects useless. 

Again using our Argos catalogue and putting pictures from it into our ‘Brain Box’ each of the class took out three images and made them useless. Making drawings of the object and writing about the materials they were made of .

This then triggered ideas for what else they could become, which leads us to next weeks sessions which is about re-use. The children are collecting packaging at home to bring and we will be using this as material to get to know more about and work with.