Florence is the “city of flowers” and the Giglio, or iris, is the city’s symbol. Referencing this historic tradition, this course introduces students to the art of fold forming through the creation of sculptural metal flowers and botanical forms. Designed for both beginning and advanced students, the course explores how sheet metal can be folded, hammered, heated, opened, shaped, and refined into expressive floral structures ranging from simple petals and leaves to complex layered blossoms. Students will learn to translate observation of natural forms into metal through a combination of technical demonstration, experimentation, and creative design development.
Working primarily in nonferrous sheet metal, students will gain experience with processes such as annealing, forging, sinking, forming, texturing, cold connections, and basic soldering as needed for floral assembly and wearable or sculptural outcomes. The class emphasizes both technical skill-building and artistic interpretation, encouraging students to study flowers not just as decorative motifs but as structures with rhythm, movement, symmetry, asymmetry, and expressive potential.
SRISA studio courses will have personal and course materials to be purchased in Florence. Unless otherwise specified, there is no need to bring consumable supplies with you. On the first day of class, your professor will inform you of materials needed and where to get them in Florence.
