Columns Crashing Down

I will be teaching my art students about The Classical Order in our next few coops. I wanted a fun way to introduce the topic as we will be doing some deep "analysis" and drawing. I came across a lady that had her students make a column out of paper and stack books on top to see how strong it was. I decided to try this -- It was fun:D

So, I set some rules: One piece of paper - rolling, no folding, no cutting... three 1" pieces of tape...stack as many things on top of it as you can. Here are some of the results! (They stacked mostly index card packages and then a few books)

They began to evaluate how tightly they should roll the paper; vertical or horizontal rolling; and more.  It was a great opener to studying the amazing column!  Try this at home with your children :D

Paper Clay Leaves by Students...

I think they came out beautifully! What do you think?  

(I posted directions in a previous post.)

Tunnels or Tubes?

This week I will teach about Op Art -- optical illusion art. Major player in the mid 1900's! You can see it in the fashion as well as in sculpture and paintings. I will teach two projects, each easy enough to be finished at home. Here is the first one:

You start by putting a bunch of dots on your paper. Then begin making lines across your page horizontally, but if you run into a dot, you must jump over it. I remember doing this as a kid and loving it! The first sample below is done with an ink pen (it is a little difficult to see in this photo - sorry!)

Here is one done with fine tip Crayola markers and each time I hit a dot I began with an alternating color. The photo is cropped to show you a closeup of it. You don't have to keep super even lines - it adds interest if you don't. AND you can adjust if you want your tunnels to grow or shrink based on how you jump the next row.

You can see how it looks like termite mounds in one direction and tunnels in the other! Op Art 101.

If you want to see some real Op Art, look up Victor Visarely and Bridget Riley.