Matisse Shape and Contrast Culture and Music Design

Objective: The students will be introduced to the artist Henri Matisse and his use of shape and space to create successful abstract cut paper compositions.  Students will create their own cut designs utilizing the elements and principles of design, while demonstrating craftsmanship and good composition. 

Procedure: 

1. Research Henri Matisse, discuss as a group.  Describe his work and discuss the use of shape, space, and contrast.
2. Choose a musical genre and a cultural genre from the below list.  Create an informational list or paragraph for each genre, research on the internet. Research references for these topic to use in your sketches.  Each sketch must have a minimum of four photo references.
3. Draw 4 compositional sketches for each idea. The area you draw in should be around 2x3. Then choose best arrangement from each subject and complete two full page sketches, each sketch must utilize shape, space, and contrast.  Must be of subject, should include overlapping of shapes, a boarder, and positive negative switches. Do not use already trademarked symbols (example: album covers, cliché symbols), DO NOT include words
4. Choose a final sketch, make modifications for positive and negative shapes and crop to 8”x10”
5. Trace the outline of the images on tracing paper and transfer to black or white paper.
6. Carefully cut out image using x-acto knife. Control the pressure of the knife, do not cut to fast or carelessly. Craftsmanship is very important part of this assignment.

Music Genre Choices:

1. African
2. Jazz
3. Folk/Bluegrass
4. Blues
5. Classical

    6.   Techno
    7.   Middle-Eastern
    8.   Other

Cultural Choices:

1. Asian
2. Egyptian
3. Greek
4. African
5. Australian
6. Mexican
7. American
8. Other

Evaluation:

1. The students will complete a self-evaluation.
2. Students will post final piece to their website portfolio with an in-depth reflection.
3. As a class we will critique and discuss final designs.​​