Piñatas

Students will work in a group of up to four students to create a paper mache piñata sculpture. 

This unit has five parts: research and design (designing a project, measuring for materials), prototype (paper sculpture), final design in cardboard, paper mache, paint, and tissue paper, documentation of the finished work (photos, looping GIF, email, reflection, and critique), and destruction (group demolition of piñatas).

Overview Unit Goal

Composition Concepts

  • Dimension
  • Color
  • Representation & Abstraction

Technical Skills

  • Cardboard Joints
  • Paper Mache
  • Paint
  • Tissue Paper Surface

Tools & Supplies

  • Cardboard
  • Paper Strips
  • Glue paste
  • Paint & Brushes
  • Tissue paper

Technical Skill Videos

Order of Work

Determine Your Design
  • DRAW out your design ideas
Prototype: Paper
  • Make a small (fits in your hand) paper version
  • Use white paper, cut tabs, and white glue to attach your paper pieces together
  • No tape needed here
  • Vote amongst your group as to which prototype is the best - that is the one that will become the final version
Piñata
  • Build a cardboard or balloon structure to base your paper mache sculpture on
  • Add a wire hanging hook that is reenforced from the inside of the structure.
  • Paper Mache: dip a paper strip into the glue paste, wipe off the majority of the paste, apply the strip onto the structure - layer strips so they overlap the last strip, creating a seamless layer - layer AT LEAST 4 layers of paper mache over all areas to add strength and durability (otherwise your piñata will fall apart at the first whack of the bat)
  • Once you have created your entire form and covered it completely in paper mache at least 4 times, you should paint it
  • After painting, you should add tissue paper fringe to the entire surface
Documenting

Art History - Artists who make Piñatas

Roberto Benavidez, Justin Favela, Josue Ramirez, Diana Benavidez

Designing your Piñata

Things to Consider

  • ​Your piñata should be original & unique (not able to be purchased)
  • You want to make a strong structure inside, so that it doesn't break easily on the first whack.
  • Some shapes are stronger than other shapes (a tube is stronger than a rectangular leg).
  • Consider layering cardboard to make a form stronger, especially in areas that hold weight or extend away from the main form
  • You need it to be an irregular width from the front and the side views (not flat from the side)
  • You need to layer your paper mache strips so they overlap, otherwise you are not creating a secure surface
  • You need several layers of paper mache to create a strong structure that won't easily be destroyed by your team
  • You want a smooth surface to paint and then add fringe to

Piñata Ideas

Documenting your Piñata

  • Use a solid background (no distracting lines, shadows, table, or other stuff) like the photo cube
  • Use quality lighting (soft shadow from artwork only)
  • Photo should be in focus, with artwork centered
  • One photo of each side of your piñata
  • One looping GIF of your piñata rotating in place
  • One photo of your group in the process of destroying the piñata
  • Three photos and one looping GIF in total

Email an Image of Your Project

Grading Criteria