(G2, G3) The colorful world of Friedensreich Hunderwasser

For this project, we studied the work of the Viennese artist-architect Friedensreich Hunderwasser. We devoted an entire class period to looking and examining his work. We learned that his common theme in his work was bright colors, organic forms, spirals, domes, and his rejection of straight lines. We looked at pictures of his paintings and his fantasy homes. The students were amazed on the decorative quality of his line and the boldness of his colors. We discussed how he worked outside the traditional rules of modern architecture. He believed that man and nature should be one and so he created buildings that they were aesthetically pleasing, rejecting the tyranny of the straight line. The students loved his colors and patterns and they definitely understood his love of organic lines. In our second session, we decided to create a Hunderwasser-inspired work. In doing this, the students were free to incorporate their favorite motif from his work.  They created a work based either on his paintings or his architecture. We used three class periods to complete this project. Next year, I will design an entire unit based on the work of Friedensreich Hunderwasser.

Hunderwasser

Student comment: "I wish I lived in a house like this one. My house is boring." 

This student worked on the dome motif and created a colorful composition based on
Hunderwasser's love of curvy and organic lines.

Hunderwasser

Using black sharpies to create the organic lines. 

Student comment: "I don't want to use straight lines ever again."

This student is working on his anthropomorphic design. 

Student comment: "This is my fantasy house."

Hunderwasser

This students loved the lollipop trees of Hunderwasser.

The student used a CD to draw the circles and black sharpies to create the spiral design.

Student comment: "These are the prettiest trees ever."

Hunderwasser

Student comment: " The blue house is mine; the pink is my brother's and the orange is where my parents live."

(KG) The Kandinsky Project/Emphasis on Lines and Shapes (Part II)

This part of the Kandinsky project was divided into two sections.

I. In section one, the students worked in groups of four to create Kandinsky compositions

by using pre-cut paper of shapes and lines. 

II. In section two, the students worked individually to create their own Kandinsky-based artwork.
Each student used two sheets of water color paper; one sheet was painted with water colors and it was used for the background. The second sheet was also painted with different water colors, and it was cut
into a variety of lines and forms. Students also used black paper to highlight their colorful
compositions.

Working together and discussing the work of the artist was part of the process.
We discussed the meaning of the word abstract in relation to Kandinsky's work.

Incorporating shapes and lines as seen in Kandinsky's artwork, yet

creating our own original compositions.

The letter "W" stands for the first letter in his name (a group project).

Kandinsky- Unfinished painting, 1944
Students discussed the absence of colors in the composition.

We discussed how in Kandinsky's works we see a combination of biomorphic forms
and  geometric lines (a group project).

Kandinsky - Composition VIII,1923

Letter "K" and the image of the grid design (a group project). 

Using water colors to paint our shapes and lines.

(KG) Exploring Organic and Geometric shapes

The objective of this project was to learn the difference between Organic and Geometric shapes.

Geometric shapes such as circles, squares, or triangles have uniform measurements and

don't often appear in nature.

Organic shapes are shapes that have a curving and flowing appearance. 

We looked at Joan Miro's painting The Harlequin's Carnival where organic and geometric shapes are in abundance.

Joan Miro, The Harlequin's Carnival. 1924-1925

Students cut strips of paper in order to create both organic and geometric shapes.

To complete  our composition we folded two pieces of black paper, demonstrating a 3-D organic and geometric shape.