Making It: Programmes 27–39
Programme 31: Bush Bikes

Aims

After watching the programme, pupils should be able to:

communicate design ideas in different ways, bearing in mind aesthetic qualities, and the use and purpose for which the product is intended;
generate ideas for products using information from ICT-based sources;
explore the sensory qualities of materials and how to use materials and processes;
follow safe procedures;
measure, mark out, cut and shape materials;
assemble, join and combine components and materials accurately;
design and make assignments using stiff and flexible sheet materials and textiles;
apply appropriate finishing techniques.

A bunch of Aboriginal kids in a Town Camp in Australia have to share a bike to get about. They ride into town, with one kid pedalling, one on the handlebars and one hanging on the back. In the shop windows, they see flash new bikes, shining and sparkling, but just can't afford them. They decide to build bush bikes instead.

They salvage old wheels, bent bike frames and handlebars at the dump. They mix and match bits from broken-down bikes, screwing and bolting them together to make new ones. Everywhere they look they find something to help them. Fat from the frying pan is great for lubricating an old bike chain. A fallen branch from a gum tree is lashed to a bike frame with fence wire to make a crossbar. Soon, the bush bikes are finished. They may not be as flash as shop bikes, but they make up for that in pure personality. In the dazzling sunshine, the kids set out for a swim at the waterhole.

Curriculum Relevance

Art: investigating and making art, craft and design.
Science: materials and their properties.

Background

Many of Australia's native, or Aboriginal, people live on the edges of big cities in areas known as Town Camps. Kids from the Town Camps rely on their intelligence, imagination and skill to make many of the things they want. They learn to be resourceful, taking full advantage of the materials they find around them.

Artists and designers use reclaimed materials or 'found objects' in their work, too. They recycle stuff that would otherwise be thrown out, making us look at familiar things in a totally new way. Check out the links from this site to see more 'mixed-media' artwork and to get inspiration for your own sculptures.

Activities

Make a Found Object Collection

You will need: 2 large strong cardboard boxes, ruler, scissors or craft knife.

Before you start: think about how to use the equipment safely and whether you need an adult to supervise. Check with your teacher if you are not sure.

One box will hold your collection. The second box will be used to make compartments to keep everything separate.
Cut the second box into long flat strips of cardboard.
Cut slots in the cardboard strips.
Join strips by matching up the slots and pushing the lengths of cardboard together.
Use the cardboard strips to make dividers inside the first box.
Start collecting interesting 'found objects' that catch your eye. You could add nuts, bolts, screws, hooks, lengths of wire or old tins. Unusually-shaped stones or bits of wood are also useful, as are old tools or pieces of machinery, such as the cogwheels from broken clocks. Once you start collecting, you'll spot all kinds of things. Beachcombing, or visits to car boot sales are a great way of building up your collection.

You could have separate compartments for different materials, such as wood, metal, plastic and textiles.

Make a Found Object Sculpture

You will need: a collection of 'found objects' and a reel of garden wire; tools such as pliers, screwdriver, bradawl, hacksaw and small hammer; sandpaper, paints, paintbrush and pva glue.

Before you start: think about how to use the equipment safely and whether you need an adult to supervise. Check with your teacher if you are not sure.

Fix stuff from your collection together to make a sculpture. What you make depends upon the things you have found. Look closely at the larger bits and pieces. What do they remind you of?
Sculptures using reclaimed materials are often of birds, people or animals.
You could begin by twisting together lengths of wire to make a simple figure.
Try threading metal nuts onto the wires to make arms or legs, or twisting wires around a piece of driftwood to make an animal's body.
The contrast between the different colours and textures of materials is important. Shiny tin or glass beads look great against the rough bark of a twig, for instance.
Make holes in wood with a bradawl. This allows you to put in screws much more easily.
Give your sculpture the right finish. Make sure any sharp ends of wire are turned in on themselves. Use sandpaper to smooth away jagged edges and to get rid of splinters.
Most 'found object' sculptures do not try to disguise their original materials with too much paint. Try to make the most of the patterns or paintwork that are already on your materials. Use new paint to highlight details. Add a little pva glue to your paint to help it stick to things like metal and stone.

If you want a shiny finish all over your sculpture, paint it with 2 or 3 coats of pva glue. As the glue dries it becomes transparent and will make a tough shiny surface.

Links

Find out more about the lives of Aboriginal kids in Australia's Northern Territory:
www.ozoutback.com.au/postcards/postcards_forms/abor_children_1/

Australian artist Ildiko Faska asks, 'What do you with a lifetime's collection of treasures that most people regard as rubbish?' Click this link to find out:
www.users.bigpond.com/ildiko.m.faska

Find out about the work of artist Steve Done who uses reclaimed materials to make furniture and sculptures:
www.art-eco.co.uk/home/home.html

Laura Schoonover is an artist from the USA who works in mixed media:
www.schoons.com

Making It: Programmes 27–39 Programme 31: Bush Bikes