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"Imagination versus Reality: From Cats and Dogs to Dragons"
Students will explore the differences between imaginary and real animals in 2D and 3D. Each session builds on the last with the culminating project incorporating information acquired in previous classes.
Students will take an idea from 2d to 3d to kinetic. They will learn to distinguish between that which is "real" and that which is "imaginary" in the process of creating their work. Students will learn to understand how an idea can be developed through a progression of media and steps.
drawing, sketch, model clay, composition, texture, process, writing, kinetics
History of kite making from internet sources, Xeroxes on Chinese Calligraphy, Momotaru (book Noguchi used as inspiration for some of his own work), Slides of Noguchi 's artwork : "Double Red Mountain", "Strange Bird", "Dog", etc., photos of Noguchi, and pictures of animals brought in by artist.
Continue to work with ideas of creating own symbols as a way to develop imagination and appreciation for other languages; develop other collages using cut-outs from newspapers and magazines. Think about other ways in which to explore the ideas of "real" and "imaginary" objects or experiences in the world in addition to animals.
Self-Hardening Clay, Ink, brushes, newspaper, newsprint pads, cling wrap and baggies to protect clay from drying, clay tools, wood dowels for kites, fabric strips for kites, kite paper(acaba) container for water, glue, scissors, string or rubber bands, Xeroxes of images, colored felt, buttons, pom poms, pipe cleaners, sharpie markers,
CHECKING STUDENT LEARNING: Students will be asked at beginning of each class what they did in previous class; students will write essays which incorporate newly acquired vocabulary
clay, paper, ink, texture, 2D, 3D, fantasy, reality, line, shape, kite, kinetic, calligraphy, museum, studio, artist, symbol, imaginary, coil, slab, sketch, pattern, proportion, outline, sculpture, painting, dragon, art, and balance.
Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4
Class 5 | Class 6 | Class 7 | Class 8
Class 9 | Class 10 | Class 11 | Class 12
Class 13
Class 1
Introduction to Noguchi's artwork and to artist's artwork(slide presentation); Chinese calligraphy demonstration of early pictographic characters and how they correspond to the "real" world; students learn the difference in holding a calligraphy brush from the way they normally handle a paint brush; students draw with crayon on paper their own visual symbols or characters for simple ideas such as sun, moon, mountain, person, fire and water and animals such as fish and horse, which are compared to the Chinese symbols/words; talk about imaginary animals such as Pegasus and dragons.
Class 2
(Quick physical warm -up before each calligraphy class to help develop concentration) Students learn to write with brush ink and Chinese characters demonstrated in first class.
Class 3
Students learn to write the Chinese characters for three real animals e.g. horse, sheep, tiger and one imaginary animal (dragon) students and artist bring in photos from newspapers or magazines of various real animals students draw three real animals e.g. giraffe, monkey and elephant and then create an imaginary animal using characteristics of three different animals. This is done with ink on paper using brushwork learned from calligraphy-emphasis is on line.
Class 4
Students make a line drawing using a fine Sharpie magic marker of a new imaginary animal on a piece of white foam approx.. 9" x 12" Then proceed to collage on foam using cut-out shapes from colored felt to create the animal. Students are taught how to trace or recreate shapes from their outline drawings onto the felt. Additional materials such as feathers, buttons, and yarn are applied as the last layer in collage. The goal here is to learn the concept of layering and building up a surface which will be developed further in clay sculpture.
Class 5
Practice working with clay to learn how to create different basic shapes and structures-coils, rolling balls using slabs to create form- Scoring clay and using slip for joining methods-This first class is focused on experimentation with the material process not product. At the end of class, clay forms are destroyed and put into airtight plastic baggies. Each student receives approximately two pounds of clay.
Class 6
Begin to work on a clay sculpture of imaginary animal which was developed in previous classes or new imaginary animal (use self-hardening clay). Talk about shapes: cube, sphere, pyramid, cylinder and ways to construct a form. Students store their sculptures in shoeboxes which they bring to class.
Class 7
Continue work on clay sculpture. Add limbs and other elements, which can be pressed into clay surface.
Class 8
Paint clay sculpture with designs using brush- following up on some of the brush techniques learned from calligraphy sessions.
Class 9
As an introduction to kites students work on a simple "mask" kite made of *8.5" x 11" paper, straws and plastic. They learn how to fold and cut paper to make a simple mask-like form and to measure using a ruler to find the tow point. Using crayons/markers the imaginary animal's face is drawn on one side of the sail. Students assemble the kites with clear tape.
Class 10
Begin work on final kite project inspired by imaginary animals. Students are given a piece of paper cut to a standard diamond form which they paint with the image of their imaginary animal. Students first work on a line drawing of their complete animal using markers or crayons which they trace or copy onto diamond shaped sails.
Class 11
Discussion of color mixing and design. Students begin painting of kite sails.
Class 12
Finish up painting of individual kites. Use markers and/or paint to decorate plastic tails of kites.
Class 13
Final assembly of kites. Kite frame is made of two thin wood dowels taped to kite sail. Teachers help with this step. Students wind string/line to Popsicle sticks and help attach string to kite frame.