Oct 3, 2011

Dali Melting Clocks

These sculptures are based on the melting clocks in Spanish Surrealist Savador Dali's (1904 -1989) 1931 painting 'The Persistence of Memory'. (pictured below)
Years ago, I stumbled upon an exhibition of Dali's sculptural works whilst in Europe.The exhibition included sculptural versions of his melted clocks (pictured below).
I thought I would try something like this with my grade 5/6 class who are studying Salvador Dali this term. You can also see this sort of lesson here on Artsonia.
Image from www.artquotes.net.              
Image from www.operagallery.com



We rolled out clay, cut out an imperfect oval shape and then decorated it with a border, clock hands, a winder and engraved numbers into the face. I then had the students press their clay into a plastic bowl, or drape it over the bowl so it would dry in a melted looking shape. We also added a small hole in the top for a hanging device.

Once fired, students painted their melted clocks in colours of their choice and applied a clear varnish.
 





10 comments:

  1. This is cute anne. I pinned it on Pinterest before I knew it was you. Great idea!

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  2. I'm the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your cool melting clock project! You can see it here:

    http://funfamilycrafts.com/dali-melting-clocks/

    If you have other kid-friendly craft tutorials, we'd love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a fun project idea!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Cindy, that's great news! Thanks for including me :)

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  3. Hi! I want to try this, but I don't have access to a KILN. Could the same project be achieved with an air drying clay?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Molly, I would think air dry clay would be too fragile after the draping and bending but you could try one yourself and see how it goes?

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  4. Hello! I have a couple questions. How large were your final projects? Also, how long did it take your students to complete this project? I coordinate an art program for my daughter's elementary school and would like to do this. Just trying to figure out the amount of clay needed, space needed for drying, time needed to complete, etc... This would be a great use of our KILN though!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi D - they were around 15cm long. I think from memory my students completed these in 3 or 4 one hour lessons, including the painting. Good luck - would love to see the results if you do make them!

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  5. polymer clay can be used to make these Melted Clocks also and you wouldn't need access to a KILN . But you would need to fire them in a kitchen oven using the firing/baking instructions from the polymer clay packaging.

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