MFA Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Art 2

Question 1

Which process involves pouring liquid material into a mold and allowing it to harden to produce a three-dimensional form?

Accepted Answer

Casting

Answer

Casting involves pouring a liquid (metal, plaster, resin, concrete) into a mold where it solidifies into the desired three-dimensional shape.

Question 2

What is the primary characteristic that defines 'earthworks' or 'land art' as a sculptural genre?

Accepted Answer

They use the landscape itself as the primary medium and site

Answer

Earthworks (land art) use the natural landscape as medium and site, transforming the earth itself into large-scale sculpture, as seen in Robert Smithson's 'Spiral Jetty.'

Question 3

In ceramic sculpture, what is the purpose of the bisque firing stage?

Accepted Answer

To harden unfired clay into a porous, unglazed state suitable for glazing

Answer

Bisque firing hardens the clay body at a lower temperature into a durable but porous state, making it easier to apply glaze before the higher-temperature glaze firing.

Question 4

Which welding technique joins metal pieces using a filler rod melted by an electric arc, and is common in contemporary metal sculpture?

Accepted Answer

MIG (GMAW) welding

Answer

MIG (Metal Inert Gas or GMAW) welding uses an electric arc and a continuously fed filler wire to join metal, and is widely used in sculpture for its speed and versatility.

Question 5

The concept of 'negative space' in sculpture refers to:

Accepted Answer

The empty space surrounding or passing through a sculptural form

Answer

Negative space is the empty space defined by and interacting with the positive mass of a sculpture, and sculptors like Henry Moore exploited it to animate their work.

MFA - Master of Fine Arts Practice Test

MFA - Master of Fine Arts Practice Test

MFA Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Art 2