Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems - IB 9 Visual Arts
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Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems

Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems

The chapter explores the intricacies of abstract art, highlighting its evolution through significant movements and the application of visual systems to convey meaning beyond literal representation. It emphasizes the role of technology in contemporary art and encourages students to create original abstract works through various mediums. Through critical inquiry and practical engagement, students develop a sophisticated understanding of aesthetics and the creative process involved in abstract expression.

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Sections

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  1. 4
    Beyond The Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, And Visual Systems

    This section delves into the realm of non-objective art, exploring how...

  2. 4.1
    Global Context

    This section explores the significance of abstract art within the global...

  3. 4.2
    Key Concepts

    This section explores key concepts in abstraction and visual systems,...

  4. 4.3
    Related Concepts

    This section explores the integral concepts of abstraction in art and their...

  5. 4.4
    Unit Overview And Rationale

    This unit explores non-objective art, emphasizing how visual elements can...

  6. 4.5
    Inquiry Questions

    This section explores the various inquiry questions related to abstract art,...

  7. 4.5.1
    Factual Inquiry Questions

    This section involves exploration of factual inquiry questions related to...

  8. 4.5.2
    Conceptual Inquiry Questions

    This section explores conceptual inquiry questions related to abstract art...

  9. 4.5.3
    Debatable Inquiry Questions

    This section introduces inquiry questions related to abstraction in art,...

  10. 4.6
    Learning Objectives

    This section outlines the learning objectives for the unit on abstraction...

  11. 4.7
    Assessment Avenues

    This section outlines various assessment methods for student engagement in...

  12. 4.7.1
    Formative Observations And Activities

    This section details formative assessment strategies and activities,...

  13. 4.7.2
    Summative Accomplishments

    This section outlines the summative accomplishments expected from students...

  14. 4.7.2.1
    Artist Research Portfolio/presentation

    This section focuses on the creation of an Artist Research Portfolio,...

  15. 4.7.2.2
    Critique Reflection And Refinement

    This section focuses on the importance of critique in the artistic process,...

  16. 4.7.2.3
    Major Project: 'visual Systems & Abstraction'

    This section focuses on the creation of abstract art through the development...

  17. 4.7.2.4
    Project Process Portfolio & Artist Statement

    This section discusses the importance of creating a Project Process...

  18. 4.8
    Teaching And Learning Activities

    This section outlines a comprehensive framework for teaching and learning...

  19. 4.8.1
    Phase 1: Foundations Of Abstraction

    This section introduces the foundational concepts of abstraction in art,...

  20. 4.8.1.1
    Unpacking The Non-Objective

    This section explores the essence of non-objective art, emphasizing how...

  21. 4.8.1.1.1

    This section explores the fundamentals of abstract art, focusing on how...

  22. 4.8.1.1.2
    Exploration Activity: 'sensory Abstraction'

    This section explores sensory abstraction, inviting students to translate...

  23. 4.8.1.1.3
    Visual Arts In Context

    This section explores the role of visual arts in expressing complex ideas...

  24. 4.8.1.1.4

    This section delves into the exploration of abstract art and its impact on...

  25. 4.8.1.1.5
    Extended Learning

    This section delves into the transformative power of abstraction in art,...

  26. 4.8.1.2
    Breaking Down Reality – Cubism & Futurism

    This section explores the fundamental concepts of Cubism and Futurism, key...

  27. 4.8.1.2.1
    Factual Inquiry Focus

    This section explores how artists create abstract forms and the role of...

  28. 4.8.1.2.2
    Visual Arts In Context

    This section explores the significance of abstraction in visual arts,...

  29. 4.8.1.2.3
    Art-Making Activity: 'fragmented Form Study'

    This section outlines an art-making activity that engages students in...

  30. 4.8.1.2.4
    Conceptual Inquiry Connection

    This section explores how the abstraction in art communicates complex ideas...

  31. 4.8.1.2.5

    This section emphasizes the exploration of abstraction and visual systems in...

  32. 4.8.1.2.6
    Extended Learning

    This section explores the significance of abstract art and the visual...

  33. 4.8.2
    Phase 2: Expression, Order, And Systems

    This section explores abstract expressionism, minimalism, op art, cultural...

  34. 4.8.2.1
    The Inner Landscape – Abstract Expressionism

    This section explores Abstract Expressionism, focusing on its emotional...

  35. 4.8.2.1.1
    Conceptual Inquiry Focus

    This section emphasizes the transformative power of non-objective art and...

  36. 4.8.2.1.2
    Visual Arts In Context

    This section explores the significance of abstract art, its historical...

  37. 4.8.2.1.3
    Art-Making Activity: 'emotional Gestures & Fields'

    This section explores the process of creating abstract art through emotional...

  38. 4.8.2.1.4

    This section encourages an exploration of abstraction in art, emphasizing...

  39. 4.8.2.1.5

    This section explores the significance of materials in the creation of...

  40. 4.8.2.1.6
    Extended Learning

    This section explores how abstract art transcends literal representation and...

  41. 4.8.2.2
    Precision And Perception – Minimalism & Op Art

    This section explores how Minimalism and Op Art utilize simplified forms and...

  42. 4.8.2.2.1
    Factual Inquiry Focus

    The section focuses on understanding how artists create abstract forms and...

  43. 4.8.2.2.2
    Visual Arts In Context

    This section explores the relationship between abstraction in visual arts...

  44. 4.8.2.2.3
    Art-Making Activity: 'systematic Optical Play'

    This section describes an art-making activity where students create a...

  45. 4.8.2.2.4
    Conceptual Inquiry Connection

    This section delves into how artists engage with abstraction, the role of...

  46. 4.8.2.2.5

    This section focuses on the exploration of abstract art, its movements, and...

  47. 4.8.2.2.6
    Extended Learning

    This section explores the transformative power of non-objective art and the...

  48. 4.8.2.3
    Universal Languages – Cultural Patterns & Natural Systems

    This section explores cultural patterns and natural systems within art,...

  49. 4.8.2.3.1
    Visual Arts In Context

    This section explores the significance of abstraction in visual arts,...

  50. 4.8.2.3.1.1
    Islamic Geometry

    This section explores the role of geometric patterns in Islamic art,...

  51. 4.8.2.3.1.2
    Fractals In Nature

    The section explores the concept of fractals, highlighting their occurrence...

  52. 4.8.2.3.1.3
    Traditional Textiles

    Traditional textiles are a rich aspect of cultural art, showcasing unique...

  53. 4.8.2.3.2
    Art-Making Activity: 'pattern Language Development'

    In this section, students engage in creating patterns inspired by natural...

  54. 4.8.2.3.3
    Factual Inquiry Connection

    This section explores how artists develop abstract forms and utilize...

  55. 4.8.2.3.4

    This section explores how visual elements can be organized into coherent...

  56. 4.8.2.3.5
    Extended Learning

    This section highlights the importance of exploring abstract art and its...

  57. 4.8.3
    Phase 3: Technology, 3d, And Synthesis

    This section explores the intersection of technology and abstraction in art...

  58. 4.8.3.1
    The Algorithmic Hand – Generative Art & Digital Systems

    This section explores the role of technology in generative art, emphasizing...

  59. 4.8.3.1.1
    Factual Inquiry Focus

    This section explores how artists create abstract forms and the role of...

  60. 4.8.3.1.2
    Visual Arts In Context

    This section explores the significance of abstract art and visual systems in...

  61. 4.8.3.1.3
    Art-Making Activity: 'rule-Based Visual System'

    This section focuses on creating abstract artwork based on rule-based visual...

  62. 4.8.3.1.3.1
    (Basic Coding Introduction - If Resources And Capacity Permit)

    This section introduces students to basic coding concepts through...

  63. 4.8.3.1.4
    Debatable Inquiry

    This section explores debatable inquiries in abstract art, positioning...

  64. 4.8.3.1.5

    This section focuses on the exploration of abstract art and the materials...

  65. 4.8.3.1.6
    Extended Learning

    This section emphasizes the exploration of abstract art and the application...

  66. 4.8.3.2
    Volume And Voids – Abstract Forms In 3d

    This section examines the significance of volume and void in abstract...

  67. 4.8.3.2.1
    Visual Arts Methods

    This section explores how visual arts methods leverage abstraction, pattern,...

  68. 4.8.3.2.2
    Art-Making Activity: 'negative Space Study'

    This section guides students in creating abstract sculptures that emphasize...

  69. 4.8.3.2.3
    Conceptual Inquiry Connection

    This section explores the intersection of visual abstraction, technology,...

  70. 4.8.3.2.4

    This section delves into materials and techniques used in creating abstract...

  71. 4.8.3.2.5
    Extended Learning

    This section focuses on the expansion of artistic understanding through...

  72. 4.8.4
    Phase 4: Synthesis, Creation, And Communication

    This phase focuses on the synthesis of learning through the creation and...

  73. 4.8.4.1
    The Major Project: 'visual Systems & Abstraction' – Creation & Refinement

    This section introduces the major project focused on creating and refining...

  74. 4.8.4.1.1
    Project Introduction

    This section introduces the concept of non-objective art, focusing on the...

  75. 4.8.4.1.2
    Process - Iterative Development

    This section discusses the iterative development process in creating visual...

  76. 4.8.4.1.2.1
    Conceptualization & Initial Planning

    This section emphasizes the importance of initial planning and...

  77. 4.8.4.1.2.2
    Experimentation & Iteration

    This section emphasizes the importance of experimentation and iteration in...

  78. 4.8.4.1.2.3
    Ongoing Documentation

    This section focuses on the integral role of ongoing documentation in the...

  79. 4.8.4.1.2.4
    Refinement & Resolution

    This section emphasizes the importance of the refinement process in the...

  80. 4.8.4.1.3
    Communicating Visual Arts – Mid-Project Feedback

    This section focuses on the mid-project feedback process in the context of...

  81. 4.8.4.1.3.1
    Peer Critiques (Works-In-Progress)

    This section discusses the significance of peer critiques in the process of...

  82. 4.8.4.1.3.2
    Instructor Conferencing

    The section emphasizes the significance of one-on-one instructor meetings to...

  83. 4.8.4.1.4
    Communicating Visual Arts – Final Presentation & Critique

    This section focuses on the final presentation and critique of students'...

  84. 4.8.4.1.4.1
    Final Exhibition/presentation

    This section outlines the expectations and processes for students to present...

  85. 4.8.4.1.4.2
    Class Critique

    This section focuses on the importance of engaging in thoughtful critique of...

  86. 4.9
    Differentiation Strategies

    This section outlines various differentiation strategies to support learners...

  87. 4.9.1
    For Developing Learners

    This section focuses on fostering critical thinking and creativity in...

  88. 4.9.1.1
    Structured Prompts

    This section explores non-objective art, focusing on how visual elements can...

  89. 4.9.1.2
    Template Support

    This section discusses the role of templates in supporting artistic creation...

  90. 4.9.1.3
    Step-By-Step Guidance

    This section provides a structured approach to understanding and creating...

  91. 4.9.1.4
    Collaborative Pairing

    This section emphasizes the importance of artistic collaboration, exploring...

  92. 4.9.1.5
    Resource Curation

    This section explores the significance of abstract art, its movements, and...

  93. 4.9.1.6
    Medium Focus

    This section explores the pivotal elements of abstraction within artistic...

  94. 4.9.2
    For Extending Learners

    This section focuses on how to enhance the learning experience for advanced...

  95. 4.9.2.1
    Advanced Research

    This section explores the role of abstraction in art and how visual systems...

  96. 4.9.2.2
    Coding Depth

    This section explores the intricacies of abstraction in art, focusing on how...

  97. 4.9.2.3
    Multi-Media Integration

    This section focuses on the integration of multiple artistic media to...

  98. 4.9.2.4
    Environmental Consideration

    This section discusses how environmental considerations impact artistic...

  99. 4.9.2.5
    Theoretical Engagement

    This section explores the significance of theoretical engagement in...

  100. 4.9.2.6
    Self-Directed Exploration

    This section focuses on the importance of self-directed exploration in the...

  101. 4.10

    This section outlines essential resources for understanding and creating...

  102. 4.10.1
    Key Texts & Essays

    This section emphasizes the exploration of non-objective art and its...

  103. 4.10.2
    Documentaries & Films

    This section explores the significance and characteristics of abstract art...

  104. 4.10.3
    Online Platforms & Tools

    This section explores the role of online platforms and tools in the creation...

  105. 4.10.4
    Physical Materials & Equipment

    This section explores the essential materials and tools needed for creating...

What we have learnt

  • Non-objective art transcends literal representation, harnessing visual elements to convey meaning and emotion.
  • Understanding of key abstract art movements aids in articulating the historical and philosophical contexts of artistic practices.
  • Patterns and systems are essential to the creation of complex visual languages in art.

Key Concepts

-- Abstract Art
An art form that uses visual elements alone to create meaning, devoid of recognizable subjects.
-- Visual System
A coherent arrangement of visual elements that convey significance and emotion without explicit representation.
-- Generative Art
Art created using an autonomous system that follows defined rules set by the artist, often involving algorithms.
-- Minimalism
An art movement characterized by extreme simplification and focus on the materials used, often emphasizing the viewer's experience.
-- Cultural Patterns
Recurring designs or motifs that carry symbolic meanings and represent cultural narratives within artistic traditions.

Additional Learning Materials

Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.