5th Grade Kandinsky

This lesson was inspired by Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky is considered as the inventor and theorist of abstract painting in the 20th century.  5th Graders emulated Kandinsky's style.  We talked about the great influence music had on making his creations.  The black outlines were made with sharpie marker, students listened to classical music and draw how they felt the music.  We also discussed abstract art and how color can change a mood or express a feeling.  Students explored different watercolor techniques to fill their paper. 

"Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, and the soul is the piano with many strings.  The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul."

                                  --Wassily Kandinsky

6th Grade Dale Chihuly Abstract Art

"I never met a color I didn't like." --Dale Chihuly

6th Graders have been studying the artist Dale Chihuly.  It's been a fun beginning of the school year project.  It's teaching the students collaboration and how to loosen up when making their art work.  Students started off this lesson by talking about abstract art.  We then transitioned into the abstract art of Dale Chihuly.  Students watched this video "Drawings in Jerusalem"and learned about action painting.  We then went outside and made our own action paintings.

After collecting hundreds of plastic bottles we then made a Chihuly inspired chandelier.  As Dale Chihuly is known for his large blown glass sculptures, we made our own.  Some of the students have actually seen pieces by Dale Chihuly as the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha has two pieces, shown here and here.   Using sharpie markers students colored their bottles and cut them in unique ways.  They attached them to a tomato cage, to aid for support.  I told them at the beginning of this project that this is something they would not be able to take home, but they were working together as a team to make a work of art.

Here are some images of the still work in progress.

 

5th Grade Wassily Kandinksy

This lesson was inspired by Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky is considered as the inventor and theorist of abstract painting in the 20th century.  5th Graders emulated Kandinsky's style.  We talked about the great influence music had on making his creations.  The black outlines were made with sharpie marker, students listened to classical music and draw how they felt the music.  We also discussed abstract art and how color can change a mood or express a feeling.  Students explored different watercolor techniques to fill their paper. 

"Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, and the soul is the piano with many strings.  The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul."

--Wassily Kandinsky

4th Grade Abstract Jazz

4th Graders looked at the South African artist Ray Berman's abstract pieces.  As Ray Berman is influenced by South African Urban Jazz Music, students listened to this music and made abstract paintings.  They then added a collage of jazz instruments they heard in the music.  Click here to hear some of the music we listened to.

Artist Ray Berman Paintings:

     

Student Examples: