Lesson 26: Abstract Construction

Objective: To have children create an abstract sculpture with rhythm and variety.

Vocabulary:

rhythm - Repeating art elements (dots, lines, shapes, forms, space, textures, colors, values, and time) in various ways or the sense of movement created by repeated art elements.

soft sculpture - A three-dimensional artwork made of soft materials such as canvas or foam rubber.

variety - A design principle used to add interest to an artwork by using many different objects and art elements (line, shape, color, form, etc...).

Night Landscape by Louise Nevelson1955, wood painted black35.5" x 38.5" x 15"The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Rhythm in Sculpture

Rhythm is the feeling created by the regular repetition of elements in an artwork. Like a repeated drumbeat in music, repeated lines shapes, or colors create a visual beat as the viewer's eyes move around an artwork. Artists add variety to artworks by using different lines, shapes, or colors.

Constructions
The artwork Night Landscape by Louise Nevelson is a construction, a sculpture that is constructed, or built, by joining parts together. Constructions are often made from one kind of material, such as wood. Describe the forms that make up the sculpture in Night Landscape. How did the artist use forms to create rhythm? Where do you see variety?

Floor Burger by Claes Oldenburg1962, acrylic on canvas filled with foam rubber132.1 cm x 213.4 cmArt Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Soft Sculpture
The artwork Floor Burger by Claes Oldenburg is a soft sculpture, a sculpture made with soft materials such as canvas and foam rubber. Claes Oldenburg was one of the first sculptors to use soft materials in his artworks. Why do you think the artist chose soft materials to create this artwork?
In representational artworks like the one in Floor Burger, artists copy the shapes and colors of real objects. How do the shapes of the pickle, bun, and meat patty create rhythm in this artwork? How do the size and color of these objects add variety to the sculpture?

Clock by Elizabeth Murray1992, oil on formed canvas114" x 112" x 8"

Now look at Clock by Elizabeth Murray. In this abstract artwork, where did the artist repeat shapes and colors to create rhythm? Where did the artist use different shapes and colors to add variety to the artwork?

Think Critically - Tell what you learned.

Studio Time: Abstract Construction

Materials:

Foam Plates, Scissors, Acrylic Paints, Paintbrushes, Glue

Plan

Think of ways you can create rhythm and variety in an abstract construction. Choose a shape that you can repeat to create rhythm, and the choose a different shape that will add variety.
Check list:
- Create an abstract construction with rhythm and variety.
- Use color, shape, and form to show rhythm and variety.

Create

Cut foam plates into shapes you chose. Use tints and shades of the same color to paint the repeated shapes. Paint a foam plate and use it as a base.
Use contrasting color to paint the shapes that will add variety.

3. Glue your shapes to the foam plate. Build up the construction in layers.

Reflect - Tell about your artwork.

Photograph and Submit your artwork on Google Classroom.

Photograph sketches as well as completed artwork.
"Add" (attach) to Google Classroom assignment.
"Mark as done" to submit your work for a grade.

Challenge: Abstract Animal Sculpture

Create an abstract 3D animal sculpture with cardboard, cut-out and assemble, paint using unusual colors and patterns trying to create rhythm.

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