Patrons Saint of Discarded Things Sunday 9 - 4:30 $145  
  Michael deMeng    


Student Level: All
Type of Workshop: Project

 

 

As far I as know there is no such thing as a Saint or Deity of Discarded things, which is a pity because there are many like me who wander the highways and byways looking for bits of detritus to incorporate into artwork. Seems like an activity worthy of guidance or protections. In fact I recall one instant where I was traveling Oaxaca Mexico in a large van with 10 or so students. On the side of the road we passed a large dumpsite filled with oxidized goodies…all of a sudden everyone in the van starts oohing and ahhhing. The driver looked a bit bewildered, and wondered what in the world a bunch of gringos would find so interesting about an orange-ish/red heap of metal. Little did he know, that to us, it was as if we came across the holy grail. The possibilities of creation were endless. In this class we are going to create a found object patron, saint or deity that will aid in our artistic endeavors of finding and recreating from discarded things. Using some sort of structure to build of (such as an iron, a shoe, a phone, a shadow box…just about anything) we will create a place for our effigy to watch over our undertakings. This shrine will be filled with all sorts of unusual elements as adornment but will also serve as a place to add future bits of randomness.

Students should bring:

  • Something to build your shrine on. Could be a shadow box, a shoe, an iron, a boat oar….literally anything. Probably don’t want to go to crazy in size…we do have to share tables.
  • Variety of found objects that might be interesting additions Items like, dolls, watch parts, gears, typewriter parts, milagros, bolts, pieces of old metal, straps of leather, dried out spaghetti…anything.
  • A figure to act as your Saint, Lady, or Diety of Discarded Things. This can be something like a doll you wish to alter or something you wish to leave as it is.
  • Collage elements
  • Masking tape –Tan colored
  • Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size)
  • String, twine and wire (a couple of different smaller gauges)
  • Matte Medium – fluid
  • Aves Apoxy Clay
  • Paint (acrylic…preferably Golden brand…either fluid or heavy body will work) small tubes will be fine.
    • Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold
    • Black (Mars or Carbon)
    • Titanium White
    • Pthalo Green (blue shade)
    • Dioxazine Purple
    • Van Dyke Brown
    • Quinacridone Crimson
    • Pthalo Blue
    • Micaceous Iron Oxide
  • A smattering of screws, bolts, nails (different sizes)
  • Adhesives.
    • Dap Kwik Seal Plus (white)- get this at the hardware store (you can also use molding or modeling paste)
    • E6000
  • Optional:  
    • Kroma Crackle (if you want a nice crackled texture)
    • Heat gun
    • Dremel
    • Basic tools – i.e. pliers, hammer, etc.

Questions? Email Michael at assemblage@michaeldemeng.com
Website: www.michaeldemeng.com