Non-Objective Design Collage

Submitted by: Gloria Rabinowitz, North Shore Hebrew Academy HS, Great Neck, NY
UNIT: Collage - Design - Positive Negative Space
Lesson: Positive/Negative Space - Black and White non-objective collage
Grade Level: middle school though high school (see middle school adaptation)

Objectives:

To create a collage using cut black and white paper utilizing positive and
negative space.

Materials:

Black and white Construction Paper, White Glue, Scissors, black backing surface
(construction paper)

Procedure:

1) Discuss the meaning of "positive" and "negative" space in a work of art.
Show examples from abstract art and representational art. Discuss Notan in Japanese art and design - balance of white and black /positive/negative space.
2) Have students cut large and small shapes of black and white paper and
glue them to a backing surface.

Resources:

Henri Matisse, Stuart Davis and other non-objective art.

Books

Henri Matisse: Cut-Outs - Drawing with Scissors- Printed in exactly the same colors, using paper and inks similar to the 1947 edition, this volume allows readers to experience Jazz in its original, unbound form. The book provides a thorough historical context to Matisse's cut-outs, tracing their genesis in his 1930 trip to Tahiti, through to his final years in Nice.

Stuart Davis - This book presents superlative examples of why Stuart Davis is seen by artists & art historians alike as one of the greatest American painters of the 20th Century.

Posters/prints

• The Knife Thrower by Henri Matisse
• Henri Matisse The Knife Throw Plate
• Sea Beasts by Henri Matisse
• Stuart Davis- Combination Concrete
• Stuart Davis- Hot Still-Scape for Six Colors

Evaluation:

1) Is the composition unified?
2) Can the students discriminate between foreground and background?
3) Are the positive and negative shapes balanced?
3) Did the students create a good work of art utilizing the elements of art and principles of design?

Alternate Idea:

Introduce one color as accent and talk about emphasis/center of interest.

Assessment: Revise Rubric at bottom

Submitted by:  Brenda Robson
UNIT: Design - Positive/Negative Shape - Notan - Emphasis
Lesson: Non-Objective Cut Paper Design with color accent

            
Click images for larger views

Objective:

Create a balance of black and white - with added color accent for emphasis/center of interest.

Materials:

9" x 6" (23 x 15 cm) rectangle of black Construction Paper, 9" x 6" (23 x 15 cm) rectangles of assorted Construction Paper, Scissors, White Glue, 12 x 18 (30.5 x 46 cm) white Drawing Paper

Motivation:

1. Discuss Notan - balance of positive/negative space.

2. Review organic and geometric shape - show examples of non-objective art (See Stuart Davis)

3. Review principles of design - balance - emphasis/center of interest - unity/variety

Procedures:

1. Students select 2 pieces of black construction paper and one color accent.

2. Cut the black construction paper - non-objective organic shapes.

3. Arrange shapes on 12" x 18" (30.5 x 46 cm) white paper to create a balanced design.

4. Cut a related shape from accent color construction paper - arrange to create a focal point.

5. Glue all shapes to 12" x 18" (30.5 x 46 cm) paper.

6. Critique.

Resource Links

Matisse Cut-outs - A lesson in PDF for 7th grade. Lesson from Norfork High School.

Henri Matisse Unit - A unit of lessons in PDF from Mesa County Valley School District #51. The first half of the unit is at the elementary level. The second half is at the middle school level.

Assessment: Revise Rubric below

Rubric:

Student Comments:

Teacher Comments:

National Standards: