Personal Imagery: Symbolic PendantsJewelry/MetalsGrade 103 weeks

Purpose:Students will represent an issue important to them through symbols after journaling and reflection. Working with the big idea of symbolic identity, students will discover the significance of symbols by creating a pendant of layered symbols out of metal to visually portray a controversial issue that interests them. They will saw these symbols out of metal and rivet them together, layering them on top on each other.

What significance do symbols hold?

Multiple Meanings?

What words are visually represented?

Symbols to Cultivate Change

Savio Alphonso

What issues are being visually represented?

Meaning without words

Symbols to Cultivate Change

“One could say the possibility of cultivating change seems an impossible task, however, it is possible for each of us to facilitate change in a small way” -Savio

Another way to use cultural symbols:

“These pieces celebrate raw American street-aesthetic in the form of objects, often useful, for the home and the body.” –Boris Bally

Questions to get you started:

Sketch and reflect on these questions in your sketchbook:

 What issues are really important to you?Does this issue affect you in your daily life?What emotions does this issue make you feel?What connections do you have to this issue?What objects and/or symbols best signify your issue?Sketch out as many different symbols and shapes about your issue as you can think of.

Objectives:Journal about an issue that is important to you or that you are interested. You may need to research your issue for more information.

How could you represent this issue only using symbols or images?

After sketching 10 ideas, choose one idea that consists of at least two layers. Sketch out your shapes to scale for your pendant. (Make sure that one is smaller than the other.)Saw your shapes (at least two) out of contrasting metals. (Ex. Copper and stainless steel)File and sand the edges of your shapes down. Use rivets to connect your metal symbols.Share your finished projects explaining your pendant in your small group.

Jewelry/Metals Introduction:

Sawing Pointers:-Hold the work

piece flat and steady.-Teeth of blade

must point toward the handle.

-Keep saw at right angle to the work piece.

-Keep hand relaxed! Loose hold.

-Watch your finger placement!

-Never walk around with blades in saw frame!

Filing and Sanding:Filing:

Only cuts on the push stroke away from the handle. Pick up on the back stroke.Place finger on top face of the file to increase control Sanding:

The smaller the number the courser the paper.Work courser to finer.

Riveting:Mechanical jointDrill and wire of the same size! Demonstration

Metals you can use:

Copper Brass

Stainless Steel

Other materials you’ll use:

Chasing HammerDrill Bit

Wire and Wire Cutter

Small Group Assessment:

Use these questions in your small group to start a discussion about your pieces: 

What issue did you choose for your pendant and why?

Why did you use the symbols/shapes that you used in your pendants?

Describe your pendant making process.

What feelings are you trying to portray? Are those feelings evident to the members in your group?

What inspired you to create these symbols for your pendent?

Are you happy with the results? If not, what would you change?

Did you learn anything about yourself or your issue through this project?