6th Grade

Op Art - Illusion of Movementthe principles of rhythm and movementthe element of colorRhythm or movement refers to the suggestion of motion through the use of various elements.

OBJECTIVESUsing paper to experiment with rhythm, movement, unity, variety, geometric shape and color

Materialsimages of people in motionprint slides 18 - 35 or...a magazine page size - full figure in motion - someone walking or jumping or doing sportsblack paper 12x12”colored paper (full sheets and scraps)warm colors for bodiescool colors for background shapesscissorspencileraser (white plastic)glue stickscrap paper boxxactocutting boardspaper clips - 4-5 per student

Class Periods - 2Make sure the students put their name and date on every project!

DISCUSSION

Show slides 3 and 4. Talk about how you can create the illusion of movement in art/photography.

You will create that same effect with cut paper.

Step 1:

Go through magazines and tear out people in interesting positions - showing their whole body. To save

class time, have a stack of images for the kids to choose from. Fitness magazines like SHAPE! are great

for this lesson. So are ski and snowboard mags.

Step 2:

Each student gets an image from a magazine - trim the image of the person - “bubble cut” close to the

body. They should all get three 9x12 pieces of paper - warm colors.

Step 3:

Stack all three color papers. Put the magazine picture on top. Paper clip on all four sides. Cut the

magazine person out like he or she is a paper doll. You will cut three exact copies of that magazine photo

at the same time. Use the xacto for the details. Set aside.

Step 4:

Get out the scrap box. Have the kids get colors - COOL COLORS - for the background shapes.

Step 5:

For the background cut:

3 large squares,

3 small squares,

3 triangles and

3 rectangles

(or other shapes of your choice...just make sure there are 3 of each)

Step 6:

On 12x12 black paper - arrange these shapes into an interesting composition. Overlapping is our friend.

Glue down. Use the word composition a lot so your kids know the meaning of the word.

Step 7:

Arrange and glue the three people shapes onto the composition.

Make sure to use overlap - helps to show “movement”

You want to see either diagonal or curved movement from the arrangement of the people.

"Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2", Marcel Duchamp, 1912

FUTURISMgive the illusion of movement and speed through repetition of shapes

"Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash", Giacomo Balla, 1912

"Speed of a Motorcycle", Giacomo Balla, 1913

Using paper to createRhythm and Movement

The illusion of movement will be created withrepetition, overlapping, diagonal lines, etc.

Do a 'bubble cut' around the figure and then paper-clip it to a stack of your three warm colors.

Details like hair can be simplified.

Carefully cut large areas with scissors.

Reposition paperclips as you go.

Use xacto knife for small details (hands, fingers, etc.) and interior shapes.

Don’t get too lost in the detail of hair - just the basic shape is good.

You'll have three figures in different colors.

Background compositionCut out three shapes each of a variety of angular shapes

squares

triangles

rectangles

diamonds, etc.

The angular shapes contrast against the curves of the figure. 

Create a composition by overlapping the shapes

in a balanced way. 

Layout your figures on top.

Overlap and try to use a diagonal line of movement.

Create a composition!

Print the rest of these slides for the figures or find your own in magazines.

vocabulary

Composition - The plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of art in a work. It is often useful to discuss these in reference to the principles of design, as well as to the relative weight of the composition's parts.Rhythm or movement refers to the suggestion of motion through the use of various elements.The principle of design that refers to a regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of movement. It is often achieved through the careful placement of repeated components which invite the viewer's eye to jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one to the next.Negative space - the area around the primary objects in a work of artPositive space - the space occupied by the primary object in a work of art.