Fundamentals of Sculpture

Why choose a short sculpture course?

Because sculpture is a space for thought even before it becomes form. Through direct engagement with matter, weight, volume and emptiness, participants develop a personal sculptural language in which technique and idea become part of a single design experience.

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Matter as language

The course does not aim for reproducibility or utility, but rather for the exploration of a personal, critical and contemporary language. Matter is not an end in itself, but a means through which to question space, gesture and meaning.

For technical reasons, ceramic techniques are not included.

At the end of the course, participants who have attended at least 8 of the 10 scheduled lessons will receive a certificate of attendance, which may be used for the possible recognition of 2 CFA academic credits.

Who is the short sculpture course for?

The short sculpture course is aimed at those who want to approach three-dimensional artistic practice with an informed perspective. It is designed for visual arts students, emerging artists, creative professionals and enthusiasts who want to develop an authentic relationship with matter.

Advanced technical skills are not required. What matters instead is curiosity, openness to experimentation and a willingness to embark on a journey that combines workshop practice, theoretical reflection and individual research.

Course type: group – in person
Participants: Max. 15
Attendance: weekly, Saturdays from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Duration: 8 lessons – 32 hours total
Cost: €490.00 – in the event of payment by instalments, a €100.00 deposit is required upon enrolment
Materials: to be purchased by the student
Requirements/materials: none
Language: Italian
Lecturer: Davide Miceli
Campus: RUFA – Via Degli Ausoni, 7 Rome
Scheduled annual sessions: Spring Session > 13 March – 15 May 2027

The short sculpture course guides students through a practical and intensive journey dedicated to clay modelling, beginning with observation of a live model and progressing towards the creation of personal works. Through the study of volumes and proportions, together with an introduction to plaster mould techniques, the course provides fundamental tools for understanding the sculptural process. The programme is enriched by a special contribution from Davide Dormino, RUFA lecturer and visual artist, on sculpture as public art, and concludes with a free-subject project designed to encourage individual research and expression.

COURSE STRUCTURE: First lesson
Lesson with a live model.
Students will work on observing the subject, beginning with its representation through drawing and photography: these will serve as reference material for the subsequent lessons dedicated to sculptural portraiture.

Second and third lessons
Beginning of clay modelling for the portrait.
Students will have time to develop and explore their sculptural work in greater depth.

Fourth lesson
Special contribution by Davide Dormino on art and activism.
Followed by: final refinements to the clay portrait and concluding reflections on the works produced.

Fifth and sixth lessons
Practical demonstration of the plaster mould technique.
Students will then create small objects with simple forms or bas-reliefs, from which they will produce an openable mould to obtain one or more copies.

Seventh and eighth lessons
Free subject.
Each student will propose their own subject (person, animal or object) to reproduce in clay, putting into practice the skills acquired during the course.

MARCH
13/03/2027
20/03/2027

APRIL
03/04/2027
10/04/2027
17/04/2027
24/04/2027

MAY
08/05/2027
15/05/2027

A Rome-based artist active in the fields of sculpture and printmaking, Miceli trained at RUFA, where he earned a degree in Sculpture (2023) and in Printmaking (2024). His artistic research moves naturally across different disciplines, with a career that includes solo and group exhibitions, artist residencies and participation in high-profile competitions. He has collaborated as a specialised technician with internationally renowned artists including Giuseppe Gallo and Adam McEwen. Alongside his artistic practice, he is active in academia at RUFA, where he assists Davide Dormino in the Sculpture department and Maria Pina and Gianna Bentivenga in the Printmaking department. In 2024, he led the Roman Post-Cards workshop, focused on synthetic lithography, for a class from the American Academy in Rome. With RUFA Short Courses, he officially begins his teaching activity. He collaborates regularly with the Lorcan O’Neill gallery, where he oversees the installation of exhibitions and works by internationally renowned artists.

Studenti e Alumni RUFA: agevolazione del 50%
Ex studenti Corsi Brevi e Summer Academy RUFA: agevolazione del 10%
Studenti universitari: agevolazione del 5% (previa esibizione del libretto universitario)
Pacchetto corsi/gruppi/famiglia: contatta corsibrevi@unirufa.it per soluzioni personalizzate e un orientamento gratuito sulla combinazione di corsi per semestre

Per tutti gli iscritti, senza necessità di requisiti particolari, sono disponibili agevolazioni in base alla data di iscrizione:

SUBJECT	ECTS
The links between form, structure and function of objects. Study of the principles underlying a sustainable design methodology and the different strategies. Realization of a complete project: prototype, model or layout.	6
Knowledge of common graphic elements and tools for technical drawing: construction graphics, metric scales, basic elements of orthogonal projections, axonometric projections and techniques for architectural metric survey. Representation of an architecture, or parts of it, with furnishing elements and details, using the most appropriate scales.	6
AutoCad: basic commands and principles. Hatches, backgrounds and masking, texts, dimensions. Creation and application of dimensioning blocks on scale 1:3 of the drawing, modification of existing objects, raster graphics, insertion of squares and scale ratios. Development of an assigned project: representation of plans, sections, prospects and details.	6
Realization of concrete objects starting from intuitions, graphic sketches, design forms not yet finalized. All the way to three-dimensional models that conclude the design process. Final report related to the work carried out during the course, as well as time and costs estimates for the production of the final object.	6
Focus on the peculiarities of sustainable design materials and their rational use in industrial production. Assessment of the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the materials analyzed; in relation to the technologies, advantages and risk levels related to their processing. Deepening of the characteristics of natural and artificial materials such as wood, stone, stoneware, resin, composites, etc., in relation to their practical applications, with the aim of identifying their requirements and evaluate the appropriate and sustainable choice according to the type of project.	8
Learning the correct method of analyzing objects, ideas and contemporary design forms. Encouraging the development of a critical sense in the acquisition and review of historical data. International design context and movements from the late nineteenth century to the second world war.	6
First approach to developing and drafting interior spaces. Study of shapes and space. Understanding measurements based on functional and ergonomic standards connected with humans.	12
Interior design	8
Applied technology	4
Introduction to parametric modeling with an overview of the software Rhinoceros, used in the job market. Two-dimensional parametric design and three-dimensional modeling. Photography in a virtual environment: lights and materials for rendering. Control parameters for 3D printing.	6
Design knowledge necessary for the realization of models and prototypes using innovative digital technologies. Development of theoretical and practical activities to become aware of digital production systems such as: 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling.	4

Tutti gli studenti in possesso di certificazione ai sensi della Legge 104/92 hanno diritto a un’agevolazione del 20% sulla quota di iscrizione, indipendentemente dalla fascia temporale scelta. Per richiederla, è necessario inviare la documentazione alla segreteria all’indirizzo corsibrevi@unirufa.it.

L’iscrizione a un corso breve dà diritto, per il mese in cui si svolge il corso, ad accedere ad alcune convenzioni attive con esercizi commerciali.
Le agevolazioni riguardano sia l’acquisto di materiali creativi che le pause pranzo presso locali situati nei pressi dei campus. Se interessati si prega di fare richiesta del file aggiornato.