Accordion Book

The Accordion Book is ment to help teach students some of the Modernist Elements and Principles of Design. The photos shown is my teacher example. I have included two different compositions; one front and one back. Both of these compositions were created by using the same steps which are found under the photo examples. It is important for the student to learn to consider their entire composition and how they present their artwork.

Front Cover of Accordion Book

Back Cover of Accordion Book

Front of Accordion Book

Back of Accordion Book

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Principles and Elements Panorama Abstract Art Book

(for information on constructing book, see Accordion Fold Books)

Materials:  Colored pencils, crayons, and/or markers

                 Glue Sticks

                 Magazine Cut-outs

                 Scraps of Paper

                 Scissors

• Choose a single shape. Draw and arrange three of these shapes to portray juxtaposition. Juxtaposition is when something is placed close together or side by side.

• Choose another simple shape. Draw ten of these shapes varying the proportions, color, size, etc. This will create contrast and emphasis.

• Pick out three (3) magazine cut-outs from the image pile at random.

• Pick out five (5) text cut-outs from the text pile at random.

• Experiment with the placement and interaction between text and image. After experimentation wit the placement, paste the cut-outs into place. Remember you can always layer the images!

• Using a different art medium, add lines that will enhance movement.

• Alter any image in your composition to appropriate its meaning.

• Add an environment to your new altered image. Use texture, color, etc.

• Consider the entire composition and add anything you feel is necessary to complete your artwork.  

A Free Art Curriculum

After reading the article Principles of Possibility: Considerations for a 21st- Century Art & Culture Curriculum by Olivia Gude, I have learned the most important foundation to a successful art curriculum is to not be limited within a particular structure or framework of teaching. Students need to explore and experiment freely with various art materials and techniques in order to learn and understand the art world. Students hold the voice of what is being taught inside the classroom, the changes to better their community, as well as their future. It is up to us, the art educators, to encourage our students to use their voice and express themselves freely, in ways they never knew they could which in turn, could potentially impact and make a difference in the world. By creating a free curriculum for our students, they can soon discover more about themselves, the person they want to be, and the people who they come into contact with. It provides a meaning of self-worth and appreciation for all of those who are culturally, ethnically, racially, spiritually, and so on, different from themselves. A free art curriculum will truly provide opportunities and an understanding that art is the universal visual language we all share.  

Surrealist Games

Surrealist Games allow students to use their creative subconscious in various ways they might not have known about. Rorschach Plots, for example, is a creative way to help students expand on what they see in an image, or in this case, an ink blot. Here are some Rorschach Plot examples.

 Ink Blot 1

 Ink Blot 2

Ink Blot 3

Students can also explore their creative subconscious by using language. Creating Dadaist Poems can be a good way to start a project without having the students write about something specific. I included a how-to video although there can be numerous accomodations to this project.