Notan: Positive/Negative space Assignment

Students will be creating a Notan Paper cut piece out of construction paper. Notan is the is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark as they are placed next to the other in art and imagery (wikipedia). This concept is commonly used in Japanese wood cuts and ink paintings. The Impressionist painters also used the concept in their work.

Vocabulary:

Impressionist

Contrast

Notan

Positive Space

Negative Space

Craftsmanship

Detail

Variety in shape

Variety in Size

Wood cuts

Learning Targets:

Students will demonstrate the steps in developing an imaginative visual idea as preparation for a completed end project.

Sub targets:

• Students will learn about and recognize Notan design.

• Students will learn about and how to create positive and negative space in design.

• Students will learn understand about symmetry and asymmetry, and the Principle of Design, Balance.

• Students will learn the Elements of Art: Space and Shape (Positive and Negative).

Assignment:

Students will be creating a notan paper cutting design using mirroring effects on 1 to 4 sides of an 8 x 8 inch square sheet of paper. The design will be cut out using scissors and exacto knives and glued to a background paper. The emphasis of the design will be on pattern, shapes and movement through leading lines. Emphasis on the positive and negative space placement will also be studied. Student may explore designs from other cultures and eras as design inspiration.

Some to consider:

Native American

Indian

Asian

Art Deco

Art Nouveau