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Here is a link to a simple version of what's going on when you clean your metal. That's right! You're working at the atomic level!
https://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/copper_caper.html -
While you're waiting to use the soldering station, for your metal to sit in the pickle (acid bath), or are finished with the box, start looking for inspiration in the sites that I've uploaded to our Google Docs for our class. Screenshot images that you're interested in and save them in a folder on your desktop so that you can begin to build your own designs.
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Remember that you're going to write a one-page artist statement for the end of this unit. Start thinking about how that will look, what you want to say about your influences, and ultimately what your work is meant to say for you.
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Keep in mind the focus of this class, and your project. You're an artist. How are you expressing yourself? What do you have to say?
WWLD? (What would Leonardo Do?) -
Measure twice, cut once. Why do you need math? If I tell you to make a cube and give you four copper pieces what do you need to do? In this class, we use millimeters and centimeters. Everything is smaller so precision counts!
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Make sure your station is clean and that you have all the tools that you'll need, including eye protection.
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START WITH CLEAN METALS!
Scrub that metal and make it shine! Remember to start with your copper pieces in the acid bath (pickle) and then scrub them under running water to begin the process. -
After cleaning your metal coat it with your boric acid solution and then use the steel pins inserted into your firebrick to keep that seam together.
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Here are a few angles so that you can see how I pinned my copper sides in place.
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Now that you have your sides put together, wet your smaller brush in the flux and add on your silver solder.
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Gently move your torch around the copper until you see a fine line of silver that tells you that your solder created a bond.
In my picture, my solder didn't flow properly. This can happen if any part of your process isn't properly cleaned. -
After all that hard work you'll end up with a box. The old box in the picture is one that I cut and shaped the sides, and curved them after annealing them with the torch, and then attached it to the base.
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Your second box will be the true canvas for your design.
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You will learn to etch the surface by using a resist and soaking your box in an etchant solution. Mine has a little cloud and water on the side, which is part of my language that I use in my artwork!
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All this will help you to express your ideas on your box, and to tell your art audience your story.
I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!
