Extended Learning - Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems
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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Understanding Non-Objective Art

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re diving into the concept of non-objective art. Can anyone share what they think it means?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it means art that doesn’t represent anything real, right?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Non-objective art focuses on shapes, colors, and forms rather than depicting objects. It's about conveying emotions and ideas through a visual language. Remember the acronym 'SHAPE' to help you recall that non-objective art emphasizes 'Shapes, Harmony, Abstraction, Patterns, and Emotions.'

Student 2
Student 2

How did artists begin to create this kind of art?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great question! Artists like Wassily Kandinsky in the early 20th century explored spiritual connections through color and form, leading the way in abstract art.

Student 3
Student 3

Can you give an example of his work?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Sure! Kandinsky’s 'Composition VII' is a prime example of lively colors and dynamic forms that evoke emotion without depicting the physical world directly.

Student 4
Student 4

It’s interesting how art can express feelings without a clear subject!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Absolutely! This idea is key to understanding many modern movements. To summarize, we learned that non-objective art is about emotions expressed through visual elements, and how some early artists paved the way for this movement.

Cultivating a Visual System

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Now, let’s look at developing our visual systems. Who can tell me what a visual system might include?

Student 1
Student 1

Maybe it’s the combination of colors and shapes we use in our art?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! A visual system includes your rules, elements, and style. It acts like a framework for your artwork. Remember the term 'STYLE' - which stands for 'Shapes, Technique, Colors, Lines, and Emotion.'

Student 2
Student 2

How do we even start creating our own system?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Start with something familiar; analyze existing patterns, then create your own. Let's try an exercise today where you pick a personal emotion and create an abstract piece using specific colors and shapes that represent that feeling.

Student 3
Student 3

I think I’d like to express tranquility—maybe using soft curves and blue tones.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great choice! So in summary, a visual system is your unique approach to art, framed by personal emotions and structured by elements like color and shape.

Exploring Technology in Art

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Today, let’s explore how technology is shaping contemporary abstract art. Has anyone heard of generative art?

Student 1
Student 1

It sounds like art created using a computer, right?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Generative art uses algorithms to shape art. Think of it as coding art! Can someone guess a famous generative artist?

Student 2
Student 2

Maybe Vera Molnár?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Spot on! She was one of the pioneers. Generative art raises questions about creativity—if the algorithm creates it, who is the true artist? Remember the mnemonic 'CODE'—which stands for 'Conditions, Outputs, Design, and Experience' to recall the elements of generative art.

Student 3
Student 3

That’s deep! So, we can add our own creativity even when using technology?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Yes! Our ideas inform the parameters for the code. To wrap up, technology enriches art creation and invites us to redefine the concept of authorship.

Introduction & Overview

Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.

Quick Overview

This section emphasizes the exploration of abstract art and the application of visual systems in various artistic media, encouraging critical inquiry and personal expression.

Standard

Extended Learning focuses on guiding students through the complexities of non-objective art and the importance of visual systems. Students engage with different art forms, analyze influential movements, and experiment with both traditional and digital techniques to create original works that reflect their understanding of abstract concepts.

Detailed

Extended Learning

The Extended Learning section delves into the significance of non-objective art, suggesting that visual elements framed within a coherent visual system wield considerable meaning and emotional resonance. It aims to cultivate students' understanding of how abstract art communicates intricate ideas without explicit representation via exploration of significant art movements, cultural patterns, and technology's role in contemporary art. Through practical inquiries, art-making activities, and self-reflection, students are equipped to articulate their artistic processes and critiques while developing a personal visual language.

Key Concepts Covered

  1. Analysis of Abstract Movements: Understanding the historical and philosophical context of movements like Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism.
  2. Patterns and Systems: Exploring how patterns are used across cultures and in nature, and how they can inform visual systems in art.
  3. Integration of Technology: Examining how contemporary artists use technology and algorithms for artistic expression and the implications of generative art.
  4. Creative Engagement: Practical activities that involve painting, drawing, and digital art enable students to realize their visions while navigating personal inquiry about the essence of art.

Audio Book

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Curated Visual Exploration

Chapter 1 of 3

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Chapter Content

Students compile a small collection of images they find 'abstract' in their environment, annotating why.

Detailed Explanation

In this activity, students are tasked with exploring their surroundings to identify images or objects that possess abstract qualities. They gather these images—these might be paintings, designs, or even patterns found in nature or architecture—and then write annotations or notes explaining why they consider these images abstract. The goal here is to encourage students to engage critically with visual culture and articulate their thoughts on abstraction.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine walking through your neighborhood and taking note of fascinating sidewalk cracks that create interesting patterns. If you were to photograph these and write about how they relate to abstract art—perhaps explaining the lines and textures as forms of expression—you would be doing a similar exploration as this activity. It’s like becoming a detective of art in everyday life.

Engaging with Documentaries

Chapter 2 of 3

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Chapter Content

Curated viewing of short documentaries or virtual museum tours focusing on early abstract works.

Detailed Explanation

This part of extended learning emphasizes utilizing visual media like documentaries and online tours to delve deeper into abstract art. Students engage with these resources to observe the techniques and thoughts behind early abstract works. By seeing how artists describe their visions and hearing expert analyses, students gain an enriched perspective that complements their own artistic explorations.

Examples & Analogies

Watching a documentary about abstract artists is like going on a guided museum tour with a knowledgeable guide. The guide not only points out the artworks but shares stories about the artists’ lives and motivations, creating a richer understanding. Just like learning from a guide, documentaries provide background context that helps students appreciate and form opinions on the art they study.

Digital Pattern Studies

Chapter 3 of 3

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Chapter Content

Students submit initial digital pattern studies, basic generative art sketches, or algorithmic experiments showcasing understanding of digital tools and systematic design.

Detailed Explanation

In this activity, students are encouraged to leverage digital tools to create initial designs or sketches that embody their exploration of patterns in abstract art. These could include using software to generate art based on rules they set, allowing them to experience firsthand how mathematical or algorithmic principles can influence aesthetics. By engaging with digital mediums, students explore new ways to produce visual artwork systematically.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this process like baking a cake using a recipe. The ingredients represent the rules and tools you have at your disposal—just as you can choose specific flavors and textures, students can select digital tools and parameters to create distinctive patterns. When they follow these 'recipes' for abstract art, they discover unique artistic results, just like how each cake can turn out differently depending on slight variations in the recipe.

Key Concepts

  • Analysis of Abstract Movements: Understanding the historical and philosophical context of movements like Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism.

  • Patterns and Systems: Exploring how patterns are used across cultures and in nature, and how they can inform visual systems in art.

  • Integration of Technology: Examining how contemporary artists use technology and algorithms for artistic expression and the implications of generative art.

  • Creative Engagement: Practical activities that involve painting, drawing, and digital art enable students to realize their visions while navigating personal inquiry about the essence of art.

Examples & Applications

Wassily Kandinsky's work exemplifies the use of color and shape to convey emotion without depicting recognizable objects.

Generative artists like Vera Molnár use algorithms to create visual effects, blurring the lines between human creativity and machine output.

Memory Aids

Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts

🎵

Rhymes

Shapes and colors swirl and twirl, in non-objective art they unfurl.

📖

Stories

Imagine a painter who decided to create a world without boundaries. With a brush, they painted feelings instead of objects, letting colors and shapes tell their story.

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Memory Tools

Remember 'P.O.E.M.' for abstract art: Patterns, Overlaps, Emotion, and Meaning.

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Acronyms

S.H.A.P.E - Shapes, Harmony, Abstraction, Patterns, Emotions in visual arts.

Flash Cards

Glossary

Abstract Art

A genre of art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality but instead uses shapes, colors, and forms to achieve its effect.

Generative Art

Art created through autonomous systems, such as algorithms or code, often defined by the artist's parameters.

Visual System

A structured approach to artistic expression, which includes the unique combination of elements such as shapes, colors, and patterns guiding the artwork's coherence.

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