The Sum of Parts

Cody Roberts:  Inspired by Rauschenberg, Jim Dine, Shepard Fairey, and Dada

Sophie Eichner:  Inspired by Sol Lewit

Kaelee Humphrey:  Inspired by Chris Metze, Mary Scurlock, and Cindy Neuschwander

Application of Research

Sum of Parts
Objective
The Sum of Parts Project challenges you to synthesize your artist research into a single, original artwork that reflects your artistic influences while developing your unique creative voice. This project builds on the skills you developed in the Subject, Media, Mashup assignment and prepares you to further refine your work over the summer before Art 4.

Through a methodical Copy > Combine > Transform process, you will analyze, deconstruct, and integrate visual and conceptual elements from the artists you’ve studied, creating a work that is both informed and original.

Phase 1: Research & Inspiration
To begin, reflect on the artists you have studied throughout your visual journal research. Answer the following questions for each artist:

1. What visual trends do you notice in the artist's work? (Consider line, color, texture, form, and composition.)
2. If you boil down the major concepts explored by the artist, what seems to be most consistent? (Think about themes, emotions, narratives, or subject matter.)
3. Which works of art are you most drawn to? Why? (Identify specific aspects that resonate with you, such as technique, mood, or structure.)
   
   

After answering these questions, complete the following activities:
1. Inspiration Collage (Digital & Physical)

• Using Google Docs or Word, create a single-page collage with at least 20 small color thumbnail images representing the most interesting works from your studied artists.
• Print, cut, and paste these images into your visual journal, arranging them in a way that makes connections between them clear. This serves as your Pinterest-style mood board for the project.

2. Word Mapping Exercise

• Take one full page in your visual journal and write words that represent the following elements from your studied artists:
  • Titles of works
  • Concepts & themes
  • Color tendencies
  • Textures and patterns
  • Compositional strategies
  • Emotions conveyed
  • Media used
• Enhance your map by bolding, enlarging, or circling words that appear frequently across multiple artists. This will help you identify key ideas and techniques that stand out across your influences.

Phase 2: Planning & Creation
Using your collage and word map, decide how you will combine and transform elements from your studied artists into an original composition. Before you begin your final piece, complete the following:

1. Sketch & Plan:
   • Create at least three thumbnail sketches exploring possible ways to integrate your influences.
   • Annotate your sketches to clarify which elements are inspired by which artists.
2. Create Your Final Artwork
   • Your piece should clearly demonstrate techniques, materials, or compositional ideas from your studied artists.
   • Work in a medium of your choice but ensure that it reflects the influences you researched.
   • Your artwork must be at least 16" x 20" or an equivalent scale for sculptural works.

Phase 3: Reflection & Critique
At the conclusion of the project, you will participate in a group critique where you will:

• Present and discuss your work alongside images of your studied artists’ works. You will create a multi-slide google presentation to use as your guide when discussing your work. 
• Explain how you borrowed, combined, and transformed elements from your influences.
• Analyze and offer feedback on how different artists in the class approached the same challenge.​

Rebecca Kuzemchak:  Inspired by Damien Hirst, Joseph Kosuth, and Chris Jordan