Phase 1: Foundations of Abstraction - 4.8.1 | Unit 4: Beyond the Obvious – Abstraction, Pattern, and Visual Systems | IB MYP Grade 9 Visual Arts
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4.8.1 - Phase 1: Foundations of Abstraction

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Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Introduction to Non-Objective Art

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we’re diving into non-objective art. Can anyone tell me what that means? Think about how we perceive art that doesn't depict a recognizable subject.

Student 1
Student 1

Does it mean art that doesn't show anything real, like landscapes or people?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Non-objective art focuses on elements like color, shape, and form rather than representation. It's about expressing emotions or ideas through a 'visual system.' Remember the acronym 'V.A.C.E.' for Visual Art Creates Emotion.

Student 3
Student 3

So, it's like music can express feelings without words? Right?

Teacher
Teacher

Great analogy! It's about feeling the art rather than just seeing it. Think of how colors can evoke emotions without needing a storyline. Can anyone give an example of visual cues that might speak to us without clear subjects?

Student 2
Student 2

I think using bright colors can show happiness, while darker shades might convey sadness?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Color usage is crucial in non-objective art. To summarize: non-objective art is all about expression through form, color, and pattern, not through representational imagery.

Historical Movements: Cubism and Futurism

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s talk about two pivotal movements: Cubism and Futurism. How do you think these movements changed the way we view art?

Student 4
Student 4

I think they broke traditional views. Cubism shows multiple perspectives at once, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Cubism lets us see different angles simultaneously. It's about fragmented forms, as Picasso and Braque demonstrated. Can anyone relate this to today’s technology?

Student 1
Student 1

It’s like how we use virtual reality to see things in a 3D space from different viewpoints!

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! Futurism, on the other hand, focused on modernity and movement, capturing the energy of life. Imagine a blur of motion on canvas capturing speed—how does that resonate with you?

Student 3
Student 3

It’s like how movies speed up to show action. It's all about feeling the environment.

Teacher
Teacher

Great connection! Both Cubism and Futurism teach us that abstraction can reflect our experiences in the modern world. Keep these concepts in mind as we explore further!

Cultural Patterns and Systematic Approaches

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, we’ll discuss cultural patterns in art. How do different cultures influence abstraction?

Student 2
Student 2

I think different patterns represent cultural stories or meanings, like how indigenous art uses specific designs.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Patterns tell narratives. We can analyze how Islamic geometry embodies spirituality through mathematical precision. Can anyone think of nature's patterns that might influence abstract art?

Student 4
Student 4

Like the fractals in snowflakes or trees?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! Nature’s repetitiveness can inspire artists. A memory aid for this could be 'N.A.C.' for Nature As Creator, highlighting how natural patterns inform artistic expression.

Student 1
Student 1

So, if we create our abstract art, we could base our patterns on nature?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Embracing cultural and natural patterns can deepen our artistic expression. Great insights today!

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section introduces the foundational concepts of abstraction in art, focusing on non-objective art and its ability to convey meaning through visual systems.

Standard

In this section, students explore the principles of abstraction in visual art, emphasizing how non-objective forms communicate ideas and emotions. Key activities involve examining major abstract movements, cultural patterns, and the impact of technology on contemporary art creation.

Detailed

Phase 1: Foundations of Abstraction

This section lays the groundwork for understanding how abstraction operates in art. It invites students to move beyond literal representations and engage with non-objective art, which starkly demonstrates the notion that visual elements organized within a 'visual system' can hold significant meaning and evoke emotions without relying on explicit narratives or recognizable forms.

Exploration of Key Concepts:

  1. Non-Representational Imagery: Students explore examples of every day abstract forms in fabrics, architectures, and natural patterns to ground their understanding.
  2. Historical Context: A historical overview of key art movements like Cubism and Futurism helps students appreciate the evolution of abstraction and the philosophical discourse around it.
  3. Art Techniques: Engaging directly with various artistic methods, including drawing and digital forms, students create their own abstract works informed by personal explorations and existing artistic traditions.
  4. Critical Inquiry: Students participate in discussions emphasizing how abstract forms can convey deep emotional or conceptual meanings and the validity of automated art-making processes, which raises profound questions about creativity and authorship.
  5. Art in Cultural Context: The section emphasizes systemic approaches to art, connecting cultural patterns, natural phenomena, and technological advancements that influence contemporary abstract practices.

Through a blend of theory and practice, students develop the skills necessary to articulate their unique visual systems, fostering critical thinking about the interplay of art, technology, and cultural expression.

Audio Book

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Unpacking the Non-Objective

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Initiation: Begin with a stimulating discussion: "If a landscape painting shows a tree, what does an abstract painting show?" Brainstorm categories of non-representational imagery in everyday life (e.g., fabric patterns, architectural details, sound waves visually represented). Introduce the unit title, global contexts, key concepts, and inquiry questions.

Detailed Explanation

In this introduction, students are encouraged to think critically about the differences between representational and abstract art. The discussion starts with a question that challenges students to consider what abstract art conveys if it doesn't depict recognizable objects. It also involves brainstorming non-representational images found in daily life, allowing students to see that abstraction exists beyond traditional artistic contexts. This sets the stage for exploring the complexities of abstraction in art.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you hear a piece of music that feels joyful. Instead of picturing the musicians, you might visualize bright colors swirling in the air. Similarly, an abstract painting might not show a tree but instead use colors and shapes to evoke that same feeling of joy.

Exploration Activity: 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). Their task is to translate its essence into a purely abstract drawing using lines, shapes, and colors. The focus is not on depicting the source but on conveying its qualities (e.g., jagged lines for harsh sounds, soft curves for a gentle melody, warm colors for comfort).

Detailed Explanation

This activity allows students to express non-visual experiences through abstract art forms. They are challenged to take an experience not based on sight and translate it into visual elements. By focusing on qualities like texture, rhythm, and emotion, students learn to express abstract concepts, enhancing their understanding of abstraction as a means of communication in art.

Examples & Analogies

Think about how you might draw a storm. Instead of showing a tree being blown over, you might use jagged, sharp lines to express chaos. For a calm day at the beach, you might choose soft, wavy lines and warm colors to convey the gentle waves.

Visual Arts in Context

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Introduction to the historical trajectory of abstraction. Examine early modern art's move away from strict representation (e.g., late Impressionism, Post-Impressionism's emphasis on subjective experience). Introduce Wassily Kandinsky and his theories on spiritual resonance in color and form.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses the evolution of abstract art, highlighting how art moved from strict representation to more subjective expressions. Kandinsky, a pioneer of abstract art, believed that color and form could evoke spiritual experiences. By studying early modern art like Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, students can understand how abstraction developed historically and the philosophical shifts that accompanied it.

Examples & Analogies

Consider how children's drawings evolve. Initially, children draw recognizable objects—like a house or a tree. Over time, they begin to create images that express feelings, even if the house looks very different. Just as children stretch their understanding of art, so too did artists move toward abstract forms to express deeper concepts.

Discussion on Art's Meaningfulness

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The distinction between art that simplifies reality (stylization) and art that removes it entirely (non-representational). How can art be meaningful without showing "something"?

Detailed Explanation

This part of the section encourages students to wrestle with the philosophical idea that art can convey meaning without representing specific subjects. It distinguishes between stylized art, which might simplify recognizable objects, and non-representational art that forgoes familiar forms entirely. Students are prompted to contemplate how emotions or concepts can be conveyed solely through shapes, colors, and forms, inviting deeper analytical thinking about what art can represent.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a blank canvas. While it looks empty, it can evoke feelings of loneliness or peace based on the colors surrounding it. Similarly, an abstract piece with swirling colors can bring joy or chaos without showing anything recognizable.

Curated Viewing and Image Collection

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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 activity allows students to engage directly with abstract art and see its application in the real world. By viewing documentaries and virtual tours, they gain context and insight into abstract artists and their works. The task of collecting images from their environment encourages students to apply their understanding of abstraction, fostering a connection between theory and everyday visual experiences.

Examples & Analogies

When you're walking down the street, you might notice a reflection in a puddle or the shadows cast by a tree. These phenomena, while not traditionally artistic, can inspire an abstract interpretation, such as using lines to represent the reflections or shapes to show how shadows dance.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Non-Objective Art: Art that focuses on forms and emotions rather than representational imagery.

  • Visual System: A structured way of organizing visual elements to convey meaning.

  • Cubism: A revolutionary art movement breaking traditional perspectives.

  • Futurism: An art movement emphasizing speed and the energy of modern life.

  • Cultural Patterns: Artistic designs that reflect specific cultural narratives.

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' exemplifies Cubism with its fragmented forms.

  • Jackson Pollock's 'No. 5, 1948' illustrates non-objective art through vigorous linework and color.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In abstract art, shapes do unite, Colors and forms create pure light.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a painter who lost their brushes, using only the colors of their feelings, scribbling emotions into shapes that danced across the canvas. This painter knew that what mattered was not what the eye could see, but what the heart could feel.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Use the acronym 'A.C.E.' - Abstraction Conveys Emotion - to remember that abstraction is meant to express feelings rather than depict recognizable subjects.

🎯 Super Acronyms

'C.A.R.E.' for Cubism, Abstraction, Representation, Emotion — guiding principles in understanding abstract art.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: NonObjective Art

    Definition:

    Art that does not depict recognizable subjects or images, focusing instead on visual forms and emotions.

  • Term: Visual System

    Definition:

    An organized framework of visual elements that creates meaning and evokes emotion in art.

  • Term: Cubism

    Definition:

    An art movement characterized by fragmented objects and multiple viewpoints, founded by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

  • Term: Futurism

    Definition:

    An art movement focused on modernity, speed, and dynamic movement, associated with artists like Umberto Boccioni.

  • Term: Cultural Patterns

    Definition:

    Designs and motifs in art that reflect the customs, traditions, and stories of specific cultures.