Art-Making Activity: 'Systematic Optical Play' - 4.8.2.2.3 | Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems | IB MYP Grade 9 Visual Arts
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4.8.2.2.3 - Art-Making Activity: 'Systematic Optical Play'

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Introduction to Systematic Optical Play

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Welcome class! Today we will explore a fascinating concept in abstract art: how strict systems can create stunning visual effects. Have any of you heard of optical art?

Student 1
Student 1

Yes, I think I saw some paintings that seemed to move when you looked at them!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! That illusion happens through careful arrangement of shapes and colors. Today’s activity, 'Systematic Optical Play,' will let us create our own. What do you think is the benefit of using a systematic approach in art?

Student 2
Student 2

I guess it gives structure to our ideas and helps make our work more precise!

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! In art, a little structure can lead to incredible creativity. So, let's get started!

Exploring Techniques and Materials

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

In our activity, we’ll be using tools like rulers and graph paper, or if you prefer, design software. Can anyone tell me how they would incorporate repetition in their designs?

Student 3
Student 3

We could use the same shapes over and over, right? Like squares or circles.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Repetition can create rhythm in your art, making it more impactful. Remember, repetition in pattern is like a heartbeat—consistent and steady.

Student 4
Student 4

And what happens if we change one part of the pattern?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Changing one aspect, like color or size, can create a focal point and distinguish elements within the pattern. That leads us to deeper layers of perception!

Understanding Perception in Art

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Teacher
Teacher

One important aspect of our activity is understanding how perception plays a role. Why do you think our brains react to certain patterns differently?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it's because we look for familiarity and try to make sense of what we see.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Our brains are wired to seek patterns. This systematic approach can surprise us in art, as we might create something unexpected. Can anyone share a time when they saw something in art that surprised them?

Student 2
Student 2

When I saw an illusion that looked completely different from one angle than the other!

Teacher
Teacher

That's the beauty of optical art—it challenges our expectations and engages us visually. Let's keep that in mind while creating!

Creating Our Designs

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now that we've discussed, it's time to put our ideas into practice! Start sketching your grid-based pattern, incorporating what we learned about repetition and perception.

Student 3
Student 3

Should we focus on a specific color scheme?

Teacher
Teacher

Great idea! A well-thought-out color scheme can enhance the visual impact of your pattern. Remember, think about how your choice of color influences mood.

Student 4
Student 4

What if I want to create a 3D effect?

Teacher
Teacher

You can achieve that by varying line weight and using overlapping shapes. Experiment with depth; sometimes what you create may surprise you—just like art itself!

Final Discussion and Reflection

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

As we conclude our session, let's reflect on what we’ve created. What did you find most surprising about the patterns you made?

Student 1
Student 1

I was surprised that simple shapes could create such depth!

Student 2
Student 2

I realized that how I arranged colors changed everything about my design.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It reinforces the idea that art isn't just about the elements; it's about how we arrange them and engage with our audience. How do you feel about using systematic approaches in your future projects?

Student 3
Student 3

I think I can use it to explore new ideas and push my creativity!

Teacher
Teacher

Wonderful! Remember, art is about discovery. Keep exploring, and you’ll be amazed at where your creativity takes you!

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section describes an art-making activity where students create a precise, grid-based abstract pattern utilizing systematic approaches in design.

Standard

The 'Systematic Optical Play' activity encourages students to design grid-based abstract patterns through the use of repetition and controlled variations. This process helps them understand how strict systems can yield unexpected visual effects, exploring concepts of depth and movement.

Detailed

Art-Making Activity: 'Systematic Optical Play'

In this section, students engage in an art-making activity focused on creating precise, grid-based abstract patterns. The activity emphasizes the systematic use of repetition, tessellation, and intentional variations in line weight, color, or shape to evoke a sense of depth, movement, or optical flicker.

Key Points:

  • Objective: The goal is to explore how adherence to a strict geometric system can result in visually captivating artwork, emphasizing the interaction between the viewer's perception and the systematic design employed.
  • Techniques: Students can choose to create their patterns digitally, using software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape, or traditionally with tools like rulers and compasses.
  • Conceptual Focus: The discussions revolve around how structured approaches in art can lead to surprising aesthetic outcomes, and how perception influences the interpretation of these works. An exploration of concepts such as moiré patterns or impossible shapes may further enrich their understanding.
  • Materials Needed: Graph paper, rulers, fine-point pens, markers, colored pencils, or digital tools for design.

This activity reinforces key concepts of abstraction, pattern creation, and systematic design, fostering a deeper connection between art and perception.

Audio Book

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Overview of 'Systematic Optical Play'

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Students design and create a precise, grid-based abstract pattern. This can be done digitally using vector graphics software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape) or traditionally with rulers and compasses. The challenge is to use repetition, tessellation, and controlled variations in line weight, color, or shape to create a sense of depth, movement, or visual flicker. Explore concepts like moiré patterns or impossible shapes.

Detailed Explanation

In this activity, students will create an abstract pattern using a grid. They can choose to do this on paper or digitally with tools like Adobe Illustrator. The main focus is on making patterns through repetition and careful changes in the thickness of lines and colors. This way, the patterns can appear to move or flicker as the viewer's eye scans across them. Additionally, they will explore advanced concepts like moiré patterns, which are optical illusions created when two grid-like patterns overlap.

Examples & Analogies

Think of 'Systematic Optical Play' as creating a new type of wallpaper for a room. Just as wallpaper can change the feeling of a space with its patterns and colors, your abstract patterns will create an engaging visual experience. Imagine how certain designs can make a wall seem to pop out or recede based on how you use lines and colors—much like how a 3D picture can trick your eyes!

The Role of Systems and Rules

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Discuss how a strict 'system' or set of rules can lead to unexpected and engaging aesthetic outcomes. How does our perception influence the meaning of art?

Detailed Explanation

This chunk emphasizes the importance of having a structured approach in creating visual art. When students follow a system, they may discover surprising results that they didn't plan. These outcomes can provoke thoughts and interpretations about the artwork, reflecting how the viewer's perception shapes the meaning of what they observe. It encourages students to think critically about how rules in art can both restrict and free their creativity.

Examples & Analogies

Consider how cooking can be both an art and a science. When following a recipe (the system), you might have unexpected results if you change an ingredient or its amount. Sometimes, these deviations lead to a new dish that's wonderful in its own right! Similarly, in art, sticking to a system might yield surprising aesthetics that communicate deeper meanings, showcasing the creativity that arises from structure.

Materials and Methods

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Materials: Graph paper, rulers, compasses, fine-point pens, markers, colored pencils OR computers with vector graphics software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer).

Detailed Explanation

To create their patterns, students will need specific tools. Graph paper helps them keep their designs aligned, while rulers and compasses allow them to construct precise shapes. If they choose the digital route, software like Adobe Illustrator can assist in creating intricate designs effortlessly. These materials are crucial for executing their ideas clearly and neatly.

Examples & Analogies

It's like building a model with LEGO blocks. The right tools (blocks) allow you to create detailed and patterned structures. Just as you need different types of blocks for various parts of your model, in art-making, different tools help you create precision and depth in your designs. Whether working with paper or on a computer, having the right materials is key to bringing your vision to life!

Exploring Optical Effects

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Extended Learning: Students identify examples of minimalist design or optical illusions in everyday life and analyze their impact.

Detailed Explanation

This part encourages students to look for and recognize the impact of optical illusions and minimalist designs around them. It could be anything from the layout of a magazine to the aesthetics of a modern building. By analyzing these, they deepen their understanding of how visual systems operate in the world, seeing firsthand the effects of different patterns on human perception.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine walking through a well-designed park where the paths are lined with trees in perfect alignment. The sight creates a feeling of tranquility because the design quietly guides your experience. Just like this, optical illusions can lead your eyes and emotions in unexpected ways, reminding us of how everyday designs impact our feelings and actions.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Systematic Design: An approach in art where a structured method is applied, focusing on precision and intentionality.

  • Repetition: A principle that reinforces visual rhythm and unity within an artwork.

  • Optical Effects: Visual phenomena that alter perception, often found in pattern-based art.

  • Tessellation: The covering of a plane with a pattern of one or more geometric shapes, fitting together without any gaps.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Geometric patterns in Islamic art exemplify systematic design and meticulous repetition.

  • The works of Op Art artists like Bridget Riley demonstrate how structured patterns can create mesmerizing optical effects.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In a grid so fine, let shapes combine, pattern and color intertwine!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine stepping into a world of squares and circles where shapes dance together, creating optical illusions that surprise and delight with every glance.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember the acronym 'GROOVE' for creating great patterns: Grid, Repetition, Optical effects, Overlapping, Variation, Engagement.

🎯 Super Acronyms

GROOVE

  • Grid
  • Repetition
  • Optical effects
  • Overlapping
  • Variation
  • Engagement.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: GridBased Pattern

    Definition:

    A design format that relies on a structured layout, typically using a grid to organize visual elements.

  • Term: Tessellation

    Definition:

    A tiling or pattern that covers a surface with no overlaps or gaps, often using geometrical shapes.

  • Term: Perception

    Definition:

    The process by which we interpret or make sense of the visual information we receive.

  • Term: Optical Art

    Definition:

    An art style that uses optical illusions and perceptual effects to engage the viewer's eye and mind.

  • Term: Repetition

    Definition:

    A principle in art that involves using the same or similar visual elements multiple times within a design.