I wanted to challenge my 7th and 8th grades, and make them really think about what they were creating. So, I had them create abstract relief sculptures. The catch was, they had to choose a theme and convey that theme in a non-objective way.
Non-Objective art is defined as:
Another way to refer to abstract or nonrepresentational art. Artwork that does no have a clear subject.
Since students could not depict there theme, they had to use shape, color, and pattern to express the chosen theme.
This assignment was aimed at getting students to develop their own artistic language.
After the project was completed, each student had to submit a written explanation of their piece. This explanation functioned as a sort of dictionary of their artistic language, telling the meaning of each shape, color, and pattern used.
I knew this would be challenging, but was impressed by the level of effort and thought students put into their creations.
We started the project by looking at works by Frank Stella, specifically the piece
Jarma II
This piece was named after a racetrack in Spain, and was part of a series called Circuits.
In class, we discussed how the artist used shapes, colors, and patterns to express his theme in an abstract way.
Here is what my students came up with.
I have included a brief portion of the student's explanation:
Theme: New Zealand
Explanation:
Base Shape: Shape was meant to mimic shape of the kiwi bird
Large Purple Shape: represent sheep (apparently New Zealand has a large sheep population)
Stars: the four stars from the flag of New Zealand
Swirls and Arrows: based on Maori tattooing patterns
This student gave an amazing explanation!
This was just a small portion of the 4 page explanation I received.
Theme: Flowers
Explanation:
Base Shape: Circle to represent the central buds of a flower
Ovals: represent petals
Curved shapes in center: represent roots, with arrow pattern representing how nutrients come through those roots.
Pointed center shape: bumblebee taking nectar from the flower
This one had a somewhat industrial feel to me, but after reading the student explanation, I completely see how it could read as "flowers".
Theme: Feathers
This one is a little more obvious, but it is so interesting, I had to share it.
Base shape: meant to resemble a full wing made of different feathers.
Wispy Lines: stand for wind, helping birds fly
Theme: Sharks
Pointed shapes: resemble layers of shark teeth
Blue: water in the ocean
Red: blood after a shark eats.
Polka-dot pattern: bubbles fish make underwater
Theme: Nature
Explanation:
Base Shape: resembles a cloud
Half of an Oval: stands for the sun, because it's so pretty
Points: grass, because it's fun to play in
Flower: she added a floral shape because flowers are pretty, and this one wouldn't die.
(I thought that was sweet.)
Splatter Pattern: looks like falling rain
Theme: Justin Bieber
Explanation:
Base Shapes: 3 hearts resemble logo for Justin's fragrance "Someday"
White and Black Rectangles: piano keys because he taught himself how to play piano
Brown Yarn: his famous hair
Purple: his favorite color
I'm pretty sure the 3 page explanation I received for this could be considered an unofficial JB biography.
Theme: Dragons
Explanation:
Base Shape: curved shape to resemble the tail of a dragon
Triangles: resemble teeth
Red: for a dragon's anger
Scale Pattern: resembles dragon skin
Theme: Cheetah
Explanation:
Two Large Background Shapes: resemble two nails crossed over each other
Long Oval Shapes: resemble a cheetah running
Pointed Piece: an antelopes head
Black and white: stand for zebra, a prey item of the cheetah
Theme: Pond
Explanation:
Base Shape: smooth curved shape to show natural look of a pond
Arcs: show trails of fish jumping, streams of sunlight reflecting on the water, and a rainbow
String: a swing into the water
Yellow: represents the kind of happiness felt when by a pond, watching the wildlife
The wire piece is meant to represent bugs in flight. I thought that was a great addition!
Theme: Video Games
Theme: Beach
Theme: Music
Theme: Birds
I love the swirl added to represent wind!
Theme: Sonic the Hedgehog
Theme: Danger
Theme: Baseball
Theme: New York City
Theme: Skateboarding
