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

Project Introduction

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Introduction to Non-Objective Art

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Today, we're diving into non-objective art, which focuses on visuals that don't represent anything specific. Can anyone think of examples of art that doesn’t show recognizable subjects?

Student 1
Student 1

What about abstract paintings that use lines and colors without shapes we can identify?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Abstract paintings like those by Kandinsky use color and shape to evoke feelings. Our acronym to remember key aspects of abstraction is VICE - **V**isual system, **I**dea, **C**oncept, and **E**motion. Can someone tell me how one of these aspects might apply?

Student 2
Student 2

I think 'emotion' applies when colors like red might show intensity or anger.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great connection, Student_2! Each color can significantly impact how we feel about the artwork. Let's remember VICE as we explore more.

The Role of Technology in Contemporary Art

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Another critical element in our unit is how technology influences abstract art. How do you think technology changes the way artists create?

Student 3
Student 3

Maybe it allows them to experiment with new forms like digital art or generative designs.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly, Student_3! Artists today can use software to manipulate images or create algorithms that generate art. Think of how this impacts artistic expression—let’s use the acronym CREATE: **C**onception, **R**esources, **E**xpression, **A**pproach, **T**echnology, **E**xperimentation. How do these terms fit together in digital art?

Student 4
Student 4

I see how they all connect! An artist can create a concept, use various resources, express it through technology, and experiment with different approaches.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Well said! Let’s keep this CREATE framework in mind.

Understanding Visual Systems

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Let’s shift our focus to visual systems. How can a consistent visual style communicate meaning?

Student 1
Student 1

It’s like a language! If an artist uses the same colors and patterns, it can create a feeling across their work.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! A visual language forms a coherent expression. Think about the word PATTERN for remembering key points about visual systems: **P**urpose, **A**rtist, **T**exture, **T**one, **E**lements, **R**hythm, **N**arrative. Can anyone give an example based on this mnemonic?

Student 2
Student 2

A mural showing different textures and colors creates a rhythm, telling a story about community!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly, Student_2! It fosters an emotional narrative through its elements. Keep this mnemonic handy as we create our visual systems!

Introduction & Overview

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

Quick Overview

This section introduces the concept of non-objective art, focusing on the power of visual systems to convey meaning beyond literal representation.

Standard

The section delves into the world of abstract art, exploring how artists use visual elements to express emotions and ideas without explicit narratives. It discusses key concepts such as aesthetics and the function of technology in contemporary abstract art, culminating in student engagement through various artistic media.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

This section serves as an introduction to a unit on non-objective art, which emphasizes the ability of visual systems to convey deep meanings and evoke emotions independently of literal representations. The text highlights an exploration of significant abstract art movements, the role of cultural patterns, and the interplay between technology and artistic expression. Key inquiry questions challenge students to consider how abstract forms communicate feelings and whether automated systems can be regarded as artists. Learning objectives aim to equip students with analytical skills regarding abstract movements, their applications, and a hands-on approach to creating original works that reflect their unique visual systems.

Audio Book

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Comprehensive Review of the Project Brief

Chapter 1 of 5

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Chapter Content

Comprehensive review of the project brief, selection of preferred media (abstract painting, complex patterned artwork, or abstract sculpture), and clarification of expectations for the final piece and process documentation.

Detailed Explanation

In this section, students will start by reviewing the key details of their upcoming projects. They need to clearly understand what is expected from them and what they can choose to focus on. They can either create an abstract painting, a complex patterned artwork, or an abstract sculpture. This choice will set the course for their artistic journey throughout the project.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this as planning a road trip. Just as you would look at a map to decide your destination and the best route to take, students are looking at the project brief to understand their final goal and how to achieve it.

Iterative Development

Chapter 2 of 5

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Chapter Content

Students solidify their concept for the artwork, explicitly defining the "visual system" or logical framework that will govern its creation. This could be a precise set of rules for color progression, a mathematical basis for pattern generation, or a systematic approach to form creation based on a particular concept. This planning is rigorously documented in their process portfolio, including preliminary sketches, material tests, and proposed methodologies.

Detailed Explanation

Students will refine their ideas and create a plan for their artwork, which includes a 'visual system.' This is like a set of rules or guidelines that help them stay focused on their artistic concept. Everything they do, from color choices to shape designs, should align with this framework. As they create, they must document their process in a portfolio, which includes sketches and tests.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a chef preparing a new recipe. They first outline what ingredients and steps they'll need to create the dish. In the same way, artists outline their plans to ensure they know where they are heading artistically.

Experimentation & Iteration

Chapter 3 of 5

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Chapter Content

Dedicated and extensive studio time for students to execute their project. This phase encourages iterative development, where initial ideas are tested, refined, and sometimes completely re-imagined based on material properties and emerging visual qualities. The instructor provides ongoing individualized technical assistance, conceptual guidance, and formative feedback.

Detailed Explanation

In the experimentation phase, students are given ample time in the studio to bring their ideas to life. They will work on their artwork, testing out different materials and approaches. This is an iterative process, meaning that they might start with one idea, revise it to improve it, or even change their direction completely based on how their work evolves. Throughout this, the instructor is there to provide specific help and guidance.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this like a scientist conducting experiments in a lab. Just as a scientist adjusts their experiment based on what they observe, students adjust their art project based on how materials and techniques affect their work.

Ongoing Documentation

Chapter 4 of 5

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Chapter Content

Continuous recording of the creative process is paramount. This includes photographs of different stages, comprehensive written reflections on decisions, challenges, and breakthroughs, and, for digital projects, screenshots of code or software parameters. This forms the backbone of their comprehensive process portfolio.

Detailed Explanation

It is essential for students to keep track of their creative journey in detail. They need to take pictures as they work and write about the choices they make, any problems they face, and the solutions they discover. This documentation is crucial because it creates a thorough portfolio that showcases their entire creative process, giving insight into how their final piece was developed.

Examples & Analogies

You can think of this as keeping a diary during a journey. Just like a traveler records their experiences and discoveries along the way, students document their artistic process to reflect on everything they’ve learned and how their project has evolved.

Refinement & Resolution

Chapter 5 of 5

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Chapter Content

The concluding stages involve careful attention to detail, surface quality, balance, and overall coherence. Students are encouraged to step back, evaluate their work critically, and make necessary adjustments to ensure the artwork effectively embodies their intended visual system and aesthetic vision.

Detailed Explanation

As students approach the end of their project, they must focus on fine-tuning their artwork. This means paying close attention to how everything looks, ensuring that the artwork is balanced and that it represents their original ideas effectively. At this stage, they should take a moment to step back from their work and think critically about what may need to be improved or changed.

Examples & Analogies

This is similar to a gardener tending to their plants right before harvest. The gardener checks for any weeds that need to be removed and ensures that each plant is healthy and balanced. In the same way, students will be making sure every detail of their artwork is just right before considering it finished.

Key Concepts

  • Aesthetics: The philosophy of beauty and art, concerning what is pleasing in art.

  • Technology: The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, greatly affecting contemporary art practices.

  • Systems: Organized methods of creating art that enhance meaning and communication.

  • Innovation: The introduction of new ideas and methods in art.

Examples & Applications

Wassily Kandinsky's use of shapes and colors to evoke emotion without recognizable forms.

Digital artworks created through algorithms showcasing generative art techniques.

Memory Aids

Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts

🎵

Rhymes

Art that's abstract, not direct, emotions it will perfectly project.

📖

Stories

Imagine a world where emotions flow through colors and shapes, telling stories without words, capturing feelings in a dance of hues.

🧠

Memory Tools

To remember VICE: Visual systems, Ideas, Concepts, Emotions in art!

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Acronyms

CREATE

**C**oncept

**R**esources

**E**xpression

**A**pproach

**T**echnology

**E**xperimentation.

Flash Cards

Glossary

NonObjective Art

Art that does not depict recognizable subjects, instead using colors and shapes to express emotions and concepts.

Visual System

A coherent organization of visual elements that conveys meaning.

Abstract Art Movements

Art movements focused on abstraction, emphasizing the use of form, color, and line over representational forms.

Generative Art

Art created through automated processes defined by algorithms or rules established by the artist.

Reference links

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