Robert F. Evans
EXPERIENCE
In order for the student to experience three dimensional space from a pattern drawn out on a two dimensional surface. I recommend a predetermined pattern on a hand out sheet. I would suggest the cube shape as a beginning pattern since it is easy to relate to in terms of common experience. The pattern should be scaled or drawn out to correct size. Using a scale of 1/4” = I’ is most convenient since the entire pattern can be laid out on the average 8 1/2” x 11“ paper. The pattern could be cut out and glued together directly or the pattern could be laminated to a thin cardboard with rubber cement and then cut out and put together. The skills required to do this involve being able to cut and paste, but the result can be interesting, particularly if the cube is designed or decorated further with color by the student. The finished product, a 2” cube is easily controlled and understood by the student. The cube can be held up to eye level and gazed into it’s openings to comprehend the space inside, and can turned and manipulated to view what is beyond the openings, thus fulfilling two functions of the gazebo i.e. as a structure to look at and as a structure to look out from. Both of these functions can lead to fantasy and reality which again is what a gazebo is all about.
IDENTIFICATION
The next step is essential since we must be able to name what it is we are talking about. The student finds this object in the hand a bit curious, or a mystery, and must call it something. That is the time to introduce the gazebo by name. The word itself is interesting when taken apart and it’s origins known since in doing this we introduce its function, and possibly a bit of history. For instance the gazebo in th garden of the Sun King in France has certain elements of social, economic, and political as well as architectural components which can be discussed and focused upon. A more current application would involve the student with a particular gazebo made for a film such as
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
. We could also discuss how the people in Hollywood—went about designing and building this movie set to incorporate a gazebo. By doing this we can move the student into the present or into one’s own imagination for a time and place to locate the gazebo.