TASK
- Do one of the following:
- Create a piece of art that conveys at the same time both the positive and negative emotions picked in class.
- Create two pieces of art, one which conveys the positive emotion and the other the negative emotion.
- This project must be nonrepresentational. It must also use contrast, pattern and texture to convey movement.
- Good artists try not only to produce technically sound work, but equally as much to convey strong feelings of emotion and thought within their work. Good art will always evoke emotion from its viewers (even if that emotion is boredom!).
- Every emotion and thought can be associated with a particular type of line, shape, pattern, color and space. It is the artist's job to discern which combination of design elements he needs to use to convey a particular emotion
- The visual cliche pitfall. Design elements that come immediately to mind are often not the elements that remain in the final work of art. Take the color red for example. People often associate red with anger and rage. While that is true, red can also represent warmth, comfort, and passion. Color, therefore, is not essential to convey emotion. Always question and experiment how to make your work more unique.
- Creative brainstorming and soul searching are essential for this project. This process can seem very confusing, intimidating, and uncomfortable. Some of the most creative, profound ideas come from such settings.
- This project offers incredible flexibility in regards to the materials used. Try something new and experiment.
- Brainstorming
- To give each study a sense of direction, each emotion should be developed through words on paper using concept diagrams and word associations.
- Before making any "final product" you must first develop at least two studies for each emotion. These can be as simple as "thumbnail sketches" or as complex as a multi-material collage.
- If your ideas start as representational, try to figure a way to make them abstract.
- .Texture
- Texture is an often overlooked element in design. Texture helps create an "atmosphere" in a work of art. Rough, smooth, dry, wet, bubbly, slick, gritty, worn, etc. Even though texture is often overlooked, more than almost anything else it can quietly and effectively convey an emotion.
- Pattern and Movement
- Repeating elements helps create movement through a work of art. Repetition and movement help a viewer move from one part of the work of art to another. These elements can help connect one emotion with another by creating a sort of highway from one to the other.
- Contrast
- Contrasting design elements creates a visual dichotomy. A visual dichotomy makes a viewer slightly confused and question, "what's going on, here?" "What should I be feeling about this?"
- Any design element can contrast: lines, shapes, use of space, color, textures, patterns, movement, etc.
- Pick an element. Apply the element. Then, to create contrast, apply its opposite.
- This project requires numerous difficult decisions--size, placement, colors, shapes, patterns, texture, movement, etc. So many decisions can be overwhelming. It is helpful to make as many practice cuts and temporary placements of objects before making decision permanent by gluing them on a page.
- Try new materials, techniques, and placements. Moreover, look to incorporate new and/or undiscovered materials.
GRADING
- 40 pts -- Demonstration of texture, pattern/movement, and contrast
- 20 pts -- Previously-learned design elements and principles
- 20 pts -- Technical quality and precision
- 20 pts -- Original, unique visual concepts
EXAMPLES