Yin-Yang and a Little Nature Cut Out

Notan Design Sample

Here is the first sample for my art class. I just wanted to see how difficult it was to cut/past the shapes... The student's work will be done in a square for the symmetry which Notan is so famous for. I actually like the vertical design, although the lady bug and acorn should probably be a little higher up. The students will use bugs, leaves, and other items from nature for their cut outs as we are also studying about Henri Matisse (1869-1954).  As you can at this link, Henri Matisse Image , Matisse liked to take items from nature for his cut outs.

Notan design is about the relationship with light and dark. What is not light is dark and what is not dark is light. It is the yin-yang. Your eyes typically are drawn to the darkness to define what you are viewing as in the of the famous Rubin's Vase (vase/face - below). Your eye will naturally follow a line between light and dark. Therefore, on the left you see the vase easily and on the right you see the faces easily. This principle applies to all of art in terms of how you use light and dark to communicate your intent.

                                          

So, we are off to explore a little of each of these items in our new project this week. Oh, and the final touch is the Japanese signature. I found a website that converts names to Japanese and have printed out each of the student's names for them to put on their pieces. Should be fun!