EXPRESS YOURSELF:
SELF-PORTRAIT COLLAGE ASSIGNMENT
You might like to visit this creative thinking website to get your juices flowing!
And this youtube video seeks to rekindle your creative urge.
·
A
collage is a work of art that
combines various materials to create a composition with visual unity.
·
You
may use a variety of materials from scraps of wallpaper to dried flowers. Magazines, newspapers, and photographs are
commonly used, but the more creatively you use mixed media, the more inventive
and intriguing your collage tends to be.
·
Remember
that art is the playground of free expression.
·
Almost
every work of art traces a concept and seeks unity of composition. In other words, artists are trying to exhibit
some idea or communicate certain feelings.
Your work of art is the vehicle for this idea or concept, insight or
emotion.
·
Be
conscious of the overall effect you hope to achieve and the dominant impression
you wish to impart. Emphasis is
important and can be expressed in a variety of ways using a variety of
techniques. Think elements of
composition and design here. How might
color or size or juxtaposition or repetition emphasize an idea or theme?
·
Ultimately,
only you can tell how to best express your concept.
·
Visual
art is music to the eyes, so make it dance.
Think about how you might provide a rhythm to the work through the use
of positive and negative space as well as size and color. How do the lines work? What shapes are created? How does one thing interrelate with
another? How have you organized the
overall composition?
·
Make
your collage dance to the beat of your own drum and reflect your own personal
identity/worldview, and do all of this within the context of how you are shaped
by culture and experience. Think deeply
about who you are and how you got to be the way you are. Think about how you go about being in the
world and of the people, places, things, and ideas that have influenced you.
·
You
may use any media you choose from newspaper on posterboard
to multimedia, such as video, Powerpoint or other
animated slide show software, Flash, webpage, etc. For multimedia creative projects, you have a
time limit of 3 minutes or the length of one song (as long as it doesn’t exceed
7 minutes).
Ask yourself:
Ø
What
is it that makes me a unique individual?
Ø
What
do I like to do?
Ø
What
are my core values and goals?
Ø
What
words and images reflect my views on life and the things I care deeply about?
Ø
What
is the central focus of my life?
Ø
Who
am I?
Ø
How
have people, experiences, and places shaped me?
Ø
What/Who
are the threads that weave the fabric of your life?
Ø
What’s
my keenest insight? highest
wisdom? deepest
belief? truest face?
Ø
What
symbols best represent my true self?
Ø
Think
of the Egyptian belief in 5 bodies:
physical, mental, spiritual (ka=soul / ba=personality), emotional, magical.
Planning the composition:
v
Ask
several people who know you well and whom you trust to give you 10 words that describe who you truly are
& weave these into your composition/design.
v
Collect
objects, images, and text.
v
Get
philosophical & surrender to the creative process.
v
Apply
composition and design principles.
v
Unity: does everything work together?
v
Color: dominance, balance, blending, contrast, complementary,
etc.
v
Texture: implied or literal (mixing media adds
texture)
v
Shape/form:
overall and compartmental: 2-d (length +
width), 3-d (length + width + depth) , 4-d (length +
width + depth + movement/time)?
v
Line: used to create rhythm and express emotion
(Typically, a grid provides stability whereas a diagonal line implies slippage
or uncertainty; a spiral intimates dynamic flow and seems to move both inward
and outward simultaneously.)
v
Rhythm: established through patterns and the
interplay of compositional elements.
v
Positive/Negative
space: Does the background provide
context or contrast? What is emphasized
as the subject matter of the work?
Written Component :
NOTE: Please type this paper on a separate sheet of paper (& don't affix it to the project itself).
1.
Include a discussion of what you are trying to express and the 10 words you've woven into the artwork.
2.
Provide a succinct yet thorough explanation of how you applied the elements of composition and principles of design to visually express your ideas, your theme, your use of symbolism, etc.
3.
Explain what you hope the viewer will come to understand about you by looking at your creation.
Presentation:
[
2-3
minute oral presentation of your work of art with an additional 3-4 minutes for your creative component should you choose to go for the creativity bonus points (see below for details).
[
You
may earn up to 5 bonus points by adding a creative performance element to your presentation: write/recite a poem (simply reading someone else's poem will not earn you any points), play
an instrument, dance, etc.
[
What
you include in this oral presentation should focus on form & process (how you achieved your finished composition, how you applied the elements of composition and design, how you used symbols, humor, irony, etc.) rather than content (what pictures and words you used).
[
Explain what message(s) you were trying
to convey and how you played out your concept.
[
Your presentation must address how you used the elements of composition and
design.
Grading:
[
Work
presented on the due date will automatically receive a 50 or higher.
[
You
will be graded on various criteria:
1. originality
2. expression of your concept visually,
orally, and in your written explication of your work
3. time expenditure
4. use of elements of composition and
principles of design
5. how well you expressed your theme and concept
[
Your creative project must be submitted at the beginning of the designated class period, and late projects will NOT be accepted. "Get out of jail free cards" can NOT be used for this assignment unless otherwise granted permission due to mitigating circumstances that would constitute an excused absence (see syllabus for details).
[
Up to 5 bonus points will be awarded for added creativity in presentation, i.e. playing guitar or
singing, dancing or reciting poetry, etc.
[
Once
all of the collages have been presented, the class will vote for "Best of Show,"
which will receive 10 bonus points and will be entered into an art showcase of humanities students' creative projects that will be held the last Friday before final exam week at the Spring Creek campus atrium. (No voting for oneself.)