Extended Learning - 4.8.2.3.5 | Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems | IB MYP Grade 9 Visual Arts
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4.8.2.3.5 - Extended Learning

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Foundational Concepts in Abstract Art

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we are diving into the world of abstract art. To start, let’s define what abstraction means. It involves creating art that does not represent external reality but expresses concepts and emotions. Can anyone give me an example of where they see abstraction in everyday life?

Student 1
Student 1

I see it in some fashion designs! Fabrics with geometric patterns and bright colors.

Teacher
Teacher

Great example, Student_1! Now, can you relate that to how these visual elements—patterns, colors, and shapes—can convey meaning?

Student 2
Student 2

I guess the colors and shapes express different emotions, like happy or sad?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We can think of the acronym 'SAF'—Shape, Arrangement, and Feelings—when considering abstract artworks. Let’s keep this in mind as we explore further.

Historical Movements: Cubism and Abstract Expressionism

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s talk about two pivotal movements in the history of abstraction: Cubism and Abstract Expressionism. Can anyone tell me what they know about Cubism?

Student 3
Student 3

Wasn't it about showing different perspectives in one artwork? Like Picasso's paintings?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! Cubism fractured objects into geometric shapes to represent multiple viewpoints. What about Abstract Expressionism?

Student 4
Student 4

That was more about expressing emotions through brushstrokes, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct, Student_4! It emphasized emotional intensity. Remember the acronym 'EMO'—Emotion, Movement, and Overlap—when thinking about Abstract Expressionism. How do these movements influence our understanding of abstract art today?

Technological Innovations in Art

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s shift gears and discuss technology's role in contemporary abstract art. How do you think technology has changed how artists create?

Student 1
Student 1

Artists can use software to create digital art and generate patterns more easily!

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Digital tools and generative art challenge our traditional definitions of authorship and creativity. What do you think a ‘visual system’ looks like when created with technology?

Student 2
Student 2

Maybe something with algorithms where the computer creates art based on set parameters?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Now remember this: 'P3'—Parameters, Processes, and Products—when thinking about generative art. Can anyone relate this back to your experiences in art-making?

Creating Personal Visual Systems

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Teacher
Teacher

With these concepts in mind, let’s create our unique visual systems. How can we begin to structure our works based on what we learned?

Student 3
Student 3

We could start with a theme or feeling and decide on shapes and colors to represent that.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, Student_3! Think about how each element you choose communicates different emotions or meanings. What challenges do you think we might face while implementing our systems?

Student 4
Student 4

I think finding the right balance of elements can be tough! Like, making sure it conveys the feeling without being too chaotic.

Teacher
Teacher

Good point! We can remember to evaluate our work using 'C2'—Coherence and Communication. Let’s brainstorm how we can ensure that as we work.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section highlights the importance of exploring abstract art and its components through various artistic practices and technological innovations as learners engage with visual systems.

Standard

The section explains how students can expand their understanding of abstraction by delving into various artistic movements, such as Cubism and Abstract Expressionism, while also incorporating technological influences. It emphasizes the importance of practical engagement in diverse media to construct unique visual systems and foster an appreciation for abstract art.

Detailed

Extended Learning Overview

This section of the unit navigates the complex world of abstract art, encouraging students to journey beyond literal representations and engage with the core elements of abstraction. The exploration begins with the understanding of how visual systems—structured arrangements of graphic elements—can communicate profound meanings and emotions without relying on recognizable subjects or narratives. Central to this exploration are the historical trajectories of significant abstract art movements, alongside a reflection on how technology influences contemporary practices.

Students will learn through investigations, discussions, and practical assignments that encompass painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital art, positioning them to cultivate their unique visual languages. The section also prompts critical inquiry into the essence of creativity within the realm of abstract art, leading to a broader understanding of how visual languages are constructed and perceived across cultures.

Audio Book

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Curated Documentaries and Virtual Museums

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Curated viewing of short documentaries or virtual museum tours focusing on early abstract works. Students compile a small collection of images they find "abstract" in their environment, annotating why.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk emphasizes the importance of exploring abstract art through different media. Students are encouraged to engage with short documentaries and virtual museum tours that showcase early abstract works. This helps students understand the context and evolution of abstract art. Additionally, by collecting images from their surroundings, students practice observing and interpreting abstract elements in everyday life, which fosters their analytical skills and personal engagement with art.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it like a treasure hunt where the treasure isn't gold but unique patterns and forms. Just as treasure hunters must pay attention to their surroundings, students must keenly observe their environment and document what they find abstract. This could be as simple as the patterns in the floor tiles of their school or the interplay of shadows on a wall, much like how an artist might get inspired by everyday shapes and colors.

Comparative Analysis of Art Movements

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Students choose one Cubist or Futurist artwork and analyze its use of line, shape, and composition to convey its subject abstractly.

Detailed Explanation

In this section, students deepen their understanding of specific art movements by selecting either Cubist or Futurist artworks. They analyze essential elements such as line, shape, and composition, providing insight into how these artists abstractly represent their subjects. This analysis encourages critical thinking about how abstract techniques can effectively communicate themes and emotions, even without representational imagery.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a chef preparing a dish with various ingredients. Each ingredient contributes to the overall flavor, much like lines and shapes in an artwork come together to create a complete image. When students analyze a Cubist or Futurist piece, they're akin to chefs identifying how different 'ingredients'—like angular lines or bold colors—create the final 'dish' of the artwork.

Art-Making Activity: Fragmented Form Study

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Students select a complex object (e.g., a musical instrument, a bicycle part, an intricate piece of machinery). They create a drawing or mixed-media collage that depicts the object from multiple simultaneous viewpoints, breaking it down into geometric planes and interlocking shapes.

Detailed Explanation

In this chunk, students engage in hands-on art-making by choosing a complex object and creating a representation that showcases it from various perspectives. This process mirrors the techniques seen in Cubism, as it involves breaking down the object into geometric forms, which helps students grasp the concept of deconstructing reality into abstract representations. This practical application reinforces their understanding of abstraction through experience.

Examples & Analogies

Consider how a photographer might take multiple shots of the same scene from different angles to capture its essence. Similarly, when students depict an object from various viewpoints, they’re not only observing but also interpreting and expressing its complexity. This is akin to exploring a favorite book from different characters' perspectives to gain a fuller understanding of the story.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Abstraction: The creation of art that expresses emotions and ideas beyond literal representation.

  • Visual System: A structured arrangement of elements to convey meaning.

  • Cubism: An artistic style that seeks to represent multiple perspectives simultaneously.

  • Abstract Expressionism: A movement focusing on emotional expression through non-representational forms.

  • Generative Art: Artworks created by algorithms and defined parameters.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • Pablo Picasso's 'Les Demoiselles d'Avignon' is a classic example of Cubism.

  • Jackson Pollock's 'No. 5' embodies Abstract Expressionism with its spontaneous drips and intense color.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In colors so bright, shapes take flight, Abstract art brings feelings to light.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a painter who, instead of using a brush, uses their heart to splash colors onto a canvas. Each stroke represents a different feeling, forming a vibrant abstract piece.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Think of 'CAGE' - Cubism, Abstract, Generative, Expressionism - to remember key movements.

🎯 Super Acronyms

Remember 'SAF'—Shape, Arrangement, Feelings—when analyzing abstract art.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Abstraction

    Definition:

    The process of creating art that does not represent external reality but expresses ideas and emotions.

  • Term: Visual System

    Definition:

    A coherent arrangement of visual elements that communicates meaning.

  • Term: Cubism

    Definition:

    An art movement characterized by fragmented subjects viewed from multiple viewpoints.

  • Term: Abstract Expressionism

    Definition:

    An art movement that emphasizes spontaneous, emotional expression through abstract forms.

  • Term: Technological Art

    Definition:

    Art created with the assistance of technological tools and processes.

  • Term: Generative Art

    Definition:

    Art generated through an autonomous system often defined by an artist's parameters.