After testing more that 1600 materials for the right filament, including coconut

fiber, fishing line, and even hairs from a friend's beard, Edison and his workers
finally figured out what to use for the filament--carbonized bamboo.
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Material studies should reflect successful research in the direction of your
final project. Sculptural processes are often unpredictable and this step is
crucial to developing your project proposal. As artists working in sculpture we
often face a steep learning curve with each new project, even experienced
sculptors sometimes find the processes and materials you expect to work a
particular way surprise you. Your studies are an opportunity to work out both
possibilities and limitation, as such, the number of material studies you are
required to bring to class should reflect rigorous experimentation and should be
successful. Bring in your failures in addition to your final material studies.

Maquettes are small three-dimensional thumbnail sketches. Sometimes they may be
as simple as cardboard models of proposed works others they may be fleshed out
miniature works using the intended materials. Very successful maquettes should
relay a clear sense of the final work. You may wish to include images of your
maquettes in your proposals.

Proposals should reflect a well-considered concept and a specific final form
along with a clear plan of action to bring it into being. A very good proposal
takes presentation of information into consideration. Proposals must include:

o Concept One or two paragraph description of your ideation, motivation, and
concepts. It may be helpful to describe what you hope to invoke in a
viewer.
o Description One or two paragraph description of your final sculpture. What
is it? What does it look like?
o Materials List and Local or Online Resources you intend to use
o Timeline Day-by-day timeline of what you intend to complete and how many
hours you expect it to take. Most of your projects only allow for one week
between proposal and critique. A clear plan of action is crucial to
success. You may include research and development time completed before the
the proposal is due.
o Drawings and Sketches of your sculpture with measurements. Include a
variety of views. You may have extra drawings with small possible
variations. Besides traditional drawings, you may consider collage, digital
sketches and images of your maquettes.
o Research May include a wide range of sources from a variety of fields.
Include relevant vocabulary, summaries of your research. Images of visual
Inspiration and artwork you are looking into in relation to this work is
required. Write short statements explaining your interest in each and site
reference material. Wikipedia is okay, but shouldnt be the only source.
o Presentation Should be well-organized and have clear language. Grammar
and punctuation are important.

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http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/edison/000_story_02.asp
Guidelines

Proposals

Material Studies and Maquettes