Exploration Activity: 'Sensory Abstraction' - 4.8.1.1.2 | Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems | IB MYP Grade 9 Visual Arts
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4.8.1.1.2 - Exploration Activity: 'Sensory Abstraction'

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Understanding Sensory Abstraction

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we’ll dive into sensory abstraction. Can anyone tell me what that means?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it about using our senses to create art?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Sensory abstraction involves taking non-visual stimuli, like sounds or feelings, and representing them abstractly. For instance, if you hear a loud sound, you might use jagged lines or bold colors to express that intensity.

Student 2
Student 2

So, it’s not about painting what you see, but what you feel?

Teacher
Teacher

Right! It’s about evoking emotions or ideas. Remember the acronym ABC—Art for Beyond the Concept. This reminds us to go beyond what we see and tap into deeper expressions.

Student 3
Student 3

What types of sensory inputs can we use?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! You can choose music, a scent, poetry, or even an emotion. Let’s discuss how we might represent a feeling through color and texture.

Student 4
Student 4

Can we mix different stimuli?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Mixing stimuli can lead to unique representations. Let’s summarize: sensory abstraction is about translating our non-visual experiences into art that evokes feelings.

Translating Sensory Experience into Art

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now that we understand the theory of sensory abstraction, let’s brainstorm how to depict a stimulus. Who has a stimulus in mind?

Student 1
Student 1

I think I'd like to illustrate a piece of music I enjoy.

Teacher
Teacher

Great choice! What emotions does the music evoke?

Student 1
Student 1

It makes me feel calm and relaxed.

Teacher
Teacher

How could we translate 'calmness' into visual elements? Think of colors or shapes.

Student 2
Student 2

Maybe soft curves and pastel colors?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Soft curves can represent gentleness. Let’s practice using our sketchbooks to experiment with these ideas. Remember, our focus is conveying the essence, not the literal subject.

Student 3
Student 3

So, if I choose a strong smell like coffee, I could use darker colors and sharp lines?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! That’s a perfect interpretation. Let's summarize: we are translating feelings into visuals using elements like color and line to evoke emotions.

Creating Abstract Artwork

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s start creating! Using your sketches and the concepts we discussed, begin your abstract artwork. Remember to focus on the essence of what you want to express.

Student 4
Student 4

What if I’m unsure about which lines or colors to use?

Teacher
Teacher

Refer back to the stimuli you chose. How does it make you feel, and what colors or lines convey that feeling? Trust your instincts!

Student 1
Student 1

Can I change my abstraction as I go?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Art is a fluid process. Adjustments are part of discovering what works best to convey your message.

Student 2
Student 2

How will we share our work at the end?

Teacher
Teacher

We’ll hold a gallery walk! Each of you will explain the essence behind your art and how you used elements to capture that feeling. Summarizing the session, focus on your journey to translate non-visual stimuli into a visual form.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section explores sensory abstraction, inviting students to translate non-visual stimuli into abstract artwork to convey feelings and emotions creatively.

Standard

In the sensory abstraction exploration activity, students select a non-visual source of inspiration, such as music, aroma, or emotions, and translate its essence into abstract art. The process emphasizes conveying qualities rather than literal representation, highlighting the power of visual elements organized through a visual system.

Detailed

In this segment, students embark on an exploration activity titled 'Sensory Abstraction,' which emphasizes the concept of translating non-visual stimuli into abstract representations. Rather than depicting literal images, students are challenged to convey the essence of their chosen stimuli—such as music, scents, or emotions—using shapes, lines, and colors. The exercise aims to foster an understanding of how visual elements can evoke feelings and communicate intricate ideas, reinforcing the notion that abstraction in art can transcend traditional representation. By engaging deeply with these artistic practices, students learn to appreciate the emotional and conceptual strength of abstract forms, enhancing their ability to express and articulate personal experiences through art.

Audio Book

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Introduction to Sensory Abstraction

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Students select a non-visual stimulus (a piece of music, a scent, a spoken poem, or a distinct emotion).

Detailed Explanation

In this activity, students start by choosing a stimulus that does not come from sight. This could be anything from a sound, like music, to a feeling, such as a specific emotion, to smells or spoken word art like poetry. The key idea is to engage with the senses outside of visual perception.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine enjoying a song that makes you feel nostalgic. Instead of trying to paint a picture of the scene that brings those feelings, you would focus on creating an artwork that expresses that nostalgia using colors or shapes that resonate with those feelings.

Translating Sensation into Abstraction

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Their task is to translate its essence into a purely abstract drawing using lines, shapes, and colors.

Detailed Explanation

Once the students have selected their stimulus, the next step requires them to express the essence of this non-visual stimulus through abstract drawing. This means they won’t directly depict what they've sensed but will instead use various artistic elements like lines, shapes, and colors to convey emotions or ideas related to that sensation.

Examples & Analogies

Think of how a musician uses different notes and rhythms to convey emotions in a song. In the same way, when you create your artwork, you could use sharp, jagged lines for something that feels tense or aggressive, while soft and curvy lines might represent a calm or peaceful feeling.

The Focus on Qualities Over Subject

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The focus is not on depicting the source but on conveying its qualities.

Detailed Explanation

This part of the activity emphasizes that students should focus on the characteristics of their stimulus rather than trying to create a literal representation of it. For example, if a student chose a piece of music that is fast-paced, they might use vibrant colors and sharp angles to emulate the energy of the song, rather than trying to draw instruments or musicians.

Examples & Analogies

Consider how a popular abstract painting of a storm uses dark colors and swirling forms to represent the chaos of wind and rain. The artist doesn't paint raindrops directly but instead captures the feeling of the storm through abstract elements.

Elements of Expression

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e.g., jagged lines for harsh sounds, soft curves for a gentle melody, warm colors for comfort.

Detailed Explanation

In creating their abstractions, students are encouraged to think about the specific elements they can use to express their interpretation of the non-visual stimulus. For instance, rough or jagged lines might represent a loud or dissonant sound, while smooth, flowing lines might evoke a sense of calm or relaxation. Colors also play a vital role; using warm tones can evoke feelings of safety or affection.

Examples & Analogies

Think about how certain colors are often linked with emotions: red might evoke feelings of passion or anger, while blue is frequently associated with calmness or sadness. Similarly, how you use lines in your artwork can signal different sensations just like musical notes convey different moods.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Sensory Abstraction: A creative process of transforming non-visual stimuli into abstract art.

  • Visual Elements: Key components such as color, shape, and line that convey meaning.

  • Abstract Artwork: Art that focuses on conveying ideas and emotions rather than literal representation.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • Translating a piece of classical music into gentle curves and light colors to evoke a sense of tranquility.

  • Expressing a loud and chaotic environment through jagged shapes and vibrant colors.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Feelings in art, let colors flow, shapes that twist, emotions grow.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once, a painter heard a beautiful melody. As the notes danced, they swirled colors on the canvas, bringing life to emotions felt deep within. This story teaches us how sound can visually inspire us.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • To remember the steps of sensory abstraction, think 'STEPS': Sensory input, Translate, Evoke, Paint, Showcase.

🎯 Super Acronyms

ART

  • Abstraction Relies on Translations.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Sensory Abstraction

    Definition:

    The practice of translating non-visual stimuli into abstract artwork, focusing on evoking feelings and emotions rather than literal representation.

  • Term: Visual Elements

    Definition:

    The components of art, such as line, shape, color, and texture, that can convey meaning and emotion.

  • Term: Abstract Artwork

    Definition:

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

  • Term: Color Theory

    Definition:

    A practical guideline to color mixing and the visual effects of a specific color combination.

  • Term: Evocation

    Definition:

    The act of bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind through art.