Module 2.2 (Chapters 2.4-2.6) Three-Dimensional Art

In-the-round

A freestanding sculpted work that can be viewed from all sides.

Relief

A sculpture that projects from a flat surface. Can only be viewed from one side.

In-the-round

A freestanding sculpted work that can be viewed from all sides.

Relief

A sculpture that projects from a flat surface. Can only be viewed from one side.

Free standing

Same as in-the round

Subtractive

The methodical removal of material to produce a sculptural form (chiseling, drilling, etc.)

Additive

A sculpting process in which the artist builds a form by adding material (modeling, casting, etc.)

Casting

A sculpture or artwork made by pouring a liquid (for example molten metal or plaster) into a mold.

Pedestal

A base upon which a statue or column rests.

Armature

A framework or skeleton used to support a sculpture.

Modeling

Additive process, uses things like clay or wax.

Constructivism

An art movement in the Soviet Union in the 1920s, primarily concerned with making art that is of use to the working class.

Assemblage

An artwork built up from three-dimensional materials including found objects.

Found objects

An image or object found by an artist and presented, with little to no alteration, as a part of a work or as a finished work of art in itself.

Kinetic sculpture

Three-dimensional art that moves, impelled by air currents, motors, or people.

Installation

Originally referring to the hanging of pictures and arrangement of objects in an exhibition, they may also refer to an intentional environment created as a completed work.

Form

Post-and-lintel

A horizontal beam (the lintel) supported by a post at either end.

Construction

Archtectural

Orders

Corbeled arch

With a series of corbels—archtectural feature made from stone, brick, wood, etc.—each projecting beyond the one below.

Cantilevered

A long beam or lintel that projects out from a structure beyond a support.

Arch vault

Dome

An evenly curved vault forming the ceiling or roof of a building.

Flying buttress

An arch built on the exterior of a building that transfers some of the weight of the vault.

Pendentive

A curving triangular surface that links a vault or dome to a square or rectangular space below.

Clerestory window

A row of windows high up in a church to admit light.

Steel frame construction

Reinforced

Concrete

Mix of cement and ground stone.

Ceramics

Fire-hardened clay, often painted, and normally sealed with shiny protective coating.

Plasticity

Referring to materials that are soft and can be manipulated, or to such properties in the materials.

Throwing

The process of making a ceramic object on a potter’s wheel.

Greenware

A clay form that has been shaped and dried, but not yet fired to become ceramic.

Bisqueware

A ceramic form that has been fired but not glazed or that has not received other surface finishing.

Coiling

The use of long coils of clay—rather than a wheel—to build the walls of a pottery vessel.

Terra-cotta

Iron-rich clay, fired at a low temperature, which is traditionally brownish-orange in color.

Glass

Stained glass

Colored glass used for windows or decorative applications.

Metalwork

Alloy

A mixture of a metal combined with at least one other element.

Chasing

A technique of hammering the front of a metal object to create a form or surface detail.

Repousse

A technique of hammering metal from the back to create a form or surface detail

Fiber

Embroidery

Decorative stitching generally made with colored thread applied to the surface of a fabric.

Wood

Intarsia

The art of setting pieces of wood into a surface to create a pattern.