Identity Compositions in Collage Unit #1: Henri Matisse: Identity Compositions in Collage LTC 4240: Art for Children Spring Semester 2013 Lesson Design by Mary Franco

Henri Matisse was born in northern France in His formal education was in law, but was introduced to painting by his mother in 1889 while recovering from appendicitis. “From the moment I held the box of colors in my hands, I knew this was my life!” Henri Matisse Henri Matisse: Lawyer to Artist Matisse with his mother, 1889

Henri Matisse: “Wild Beast” After a summer in St. Tropez in 1904, Matisse’s use of color became more daring, imaginative & expressive. Matisse he became a leader among a group of like-minded painters called the “fauves” or “wild beasts” by art critics. "A pot of paint has been flung in the face of the public!” On critic stated, "A pot of paint has been flung in the face of the public!” (Tynes, 2010, para. 2) When exhibited in 1905, “Lady With a Hat” received particularly sharp criticism. Henri Matisse, “Lady With a Hat,” 1905

Henri Matisse & Color Of Matisse, art critic Berger said, “He clashed his colors together like cymbals and the effect was like a lullaby” Of Matisse, art critic Berger said, “He clashed his colors together like cymbals and the effect was like a lullaby” (cited in Welton, 2002, p. 17) Of his own work, Matisse stated, “My drawings and my canvases are parts of myself” Of his own work, Matisse stated, “My drawings and my canvases are parts of myself” (cited in Welton, 2002, p. 35) Henri Matisse “Harmony in Red,” Henri Matisse “La Danse II” 1910 Henri Matisse “Music, 1939” Henri Matisse “Luxe, Calme, et Volupte”

A cancer diagnosis and related surgery in 1941, confined artist Henri Matisse to a wheelchair. He could no longer stand at an easel. It also represented a creative turning point in the life of the artist painting with scissors For the next 14 years of his life, he would express his phenomenal creativity and artistic abilities through an art process he called “painting with scissors”. Henri Matisse: Triumph from Tragedy

Mattise, the French artist once identified as a fauvist painter fauvist painter…

ARTIST IDENTITY …developed a new ARTIST IDENTITY with the art of collage. In the last fourteen years of his life, Matisse “developed his final artistic triumph by cutting into color." (National Gallery of Art, 2013)

Matisse’s Process Matisse’s paintings & paper cuts appear spontaneous and easily executed, but they were not. Constantly worked to reduce a figure, object or scene to its essence – Repeatedly sketched & painted the same subject until satisfied – Sculpted subjects at times to resolve design/composition problems. Henri Matisse, “La Danse I, 1909” Henri Matisse, “La Danse II, 1910” Henri Matisse, “La Danse, de Paris, ”

STUDIO ACTIVITY: IDENTITY COMPOSITIONS IN COLLAGE Part 1 Design Problem: To create a series of 3 small cut- paper collages that capture the essence of your identity through the use of simple lines, shapes, colors & space. Design Problem: To create a series of 3 small cut- paper collages that capture the essence of your identity through the use of simple lines, shapes, colors & space. Each composition should not exceed 6” x9” in size. They may be square or rectangular. Each composition should not exceed 6” x9” in size. They may be square or rectangular. (Reflect upon “Picture This: How Pictures Work” (Reflect upon “Picture This: How Pictures Work” by Bang as you create these small compositions.) by Bang as you create these small compositions.)

STUDIO ACTIVITY: IDENTITY COMPOSITIONS IN COLLAGE (Continued) Brainstorm 6 things that are important to you & contribute to your IDENTITY; people & pets, favorite pastimes & activities, important places & possessions, etc. Brainstorm 6 things that are important to you & contribute to your IDENTITY; people & pets, favorite pastimes & activities, important places & possessions, etc. Consider a simple image that might represent each. (i.e. a shoe if you jog; an apple if you are from New York!) Consider a simple image that might represent each. (i.e. a shoe if you jog; an apple if you are from New York!) Make SIMPLE sketches of each; then, select 3 that as most successful; that you like the best. Make SIMPLE sketches of each; then, select 3 that as most successful; that you like the best.

Reconsider each of your 3 favorite sketches Reconsider each of your 3 favorite sketches – Can it be simplified even more? – Can it be reduced to a symbol by drawing only a part of it? – What one color might it be? – How will its relative importance impact its size? Select one color for each & sketch/trace it onto a piece of colored paper. Select one color for each & sketch/trace it onto a piece of colored paper. STUDIO ACTIVITY: IDENTITY COMPOSITIONS IN COLLAGE (Continued)

Experiment with arrangements of these three shapes on a background piece of paper. Overlap, rotate, change them until you are satisfied. Then, glue them in place. Experiment with arrangements of these three shapes on a background piece of paper. Overlap, rotate, change them until you are satisfied. Then, glue them in place. Self-Assess this first composition & get feedback from peers Self-Assess this first composition & get feedback from peers – What works visually? – What can you change for the second composition? STUDIO ACTIVITY: IDENTITY COMPOSITIONS IN COLLAGE (Continued)

Repeat this process for Composition #2 & Composition #3. Repeat this process for Composition #2 & Composition #3. Post one photograph showing your 3 compositions on your Weeby site. Post one photograph showing your 3 compositions on your Weeby site. Reflect briefly upon these questions & post these reflections w/ the photograph on your Weebly site Reflect briefly upon these questions & post these reflections w/ the photograph on your Weebly site – What do each of the 3 symbols represent? – How do they speak to your IDENTITY? – Which composition do you feel is most successful & why? – How might you use this activity in your own future classroom? STUDIO ACTIVITY: IDENTITY COMPOSITIONS IN COLLAGE (Continued)

References: National Gallery of Art (2013). Matisse Cutouts. Retrieved from Smith, K. S. (xxxx). Pure essence: What makes Matisse great. The National Catholic Review. Retrieved from Tynes, T. (2010, July 19). Matisse at MoMA. [Web log]. Walking Off the Big Apple. Retrieved from -moma.html Welton, J. (2002). Artists in their time: Henri Matisse. New York, NY: Scholastic Books.