Traffic Island Oasis
Contributors:
Sean Derry, tvls@iup.edu
Sharon Massey, smassey@iup.edu
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
PROJECT INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS
Where?
Course Level
Why?
Conversation points for instructors
We conceived this project in the summer of 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic and our desire to create community despite the need for social distancing. Traffic Island Oasis projects are consistently of a higher caliber than similar projects that are presented in a closed class critique.
Foundations, 100 level
PROJECT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
What?
Project Prompt / Challenge
We will transform a traffic island into an island oasis.
Each artist will create an interactive cardboard item for the oasis, and we will invite the public to visit our oasis during a culminating event.
How?
Strategy
Cardboard is a low-cost, versatile material that can be transformed relatively easily into sculptural objects. In class, we will go over different construction methods that work well for corrugated cardboard. Using these methods, you will build an item within the following constraints:
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Your created artwork must be able to be carried to the island (help from friends and classmates encouraged)
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The installation of our artwork will not exceed 5 minutes
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Your artwork must be large enough to be seen from across the street.
Materials:
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Post-consumer cardboard - available at a local store or recycling center
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Water-activated kraft packaging tape - available from McMaster Carr online
Timeline:
3 weeks
FURTHER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Student Examples:
Inspirational
Artists:
Rebar Park(ing) Day Manual is a good introductory reading.
Additional artists to share include:
Monomi Ohno
Bartek Elsner
Chris Gilmore
Bob Snead
Fritz Haeg
Additional Tips:
We find the assignment works well to kick off the fall semester.
Traffic Island Oasis is meant to be a collaboration between teacher and student. In our experience, we created a palm tree and a burlap cover for the island. We also coordinated music, hired a photographer, reserved a shaved ice truck, and created ballots for peoples choice awards. Students contribute their individual works to the whole and complete the oasis.
More from our past event can be found HERE.
