Minds On
Let’s get started!
Notice and wonder
Explore the following artwork and think about the following questions.
- What do you notice?
- What kinds of shapes does the artist use in their artwork?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Broadway Boogie Woogie by Piet Mondrian, 1942-43
The painting is made up of squares, lines, and rectangles. Small yellow, red, and grey squares make up the lines that go across the painting and up and down the painting. Larger red, blue, and yellow rectangles are placed randomly along the lines. Large white rectangles and squares are created between the lines. The colours alternate, which makes it seem like the shapes are moving.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Is it geometric or organic?
Artists can use one type of shape or a variety of shapes in their work. Shape can be geometric or organic.
Shape
A shape is an element of design. A shape is a form that is enclosed or outlined. For example, when three lines meet, they create the shape of a triangle. A shape has length and width. A shape’s boundary can be created by line, value, colour, and/or texture. Shape may be geometric or organic and may be positive or negative.
Explore the following anchor chart, which outlines the differences between geometric and organic shapes.
A chart with two columns each describing types of shapes. Column 1 discusses geometric shapes and Column 2 discusses organic shapes. Column 1 - Geometric: Geometric shapes are shapes that can be described using a mathematical formula (e.g., circle, square, triangle, rectangle etc.) Apart from circles, they have straight lines, angles, and points. Column 2 - Organic: Organic shapes may have outlines that are curved, angular, or both. Organic shapes are usually irregular or asymmetrical. Organic shapes are often found in nature (i.e., plants, animals etc.).
Complete the following matching activity. For each image, select the corresponding shape it contains.
Geometric and organic shapes can be used to create patterns, represent real objects and natural landscapes. They can also be used to create abstract art.
Abstract
A modern kind of art that does not try to represent images of the real world. Abstract art is often inspired by ideas and emotions instead of real objects or living things. Abstract art can use lines, shapes, colours, and textures to share an idea or emotion.
Using shapes in artwork
Explore the following images. Each artwork was created by a different artist. Examine how they have used geometric and/or organic shapes to represent their ideas, subjects, objects etc. and then answer the corresponding questions.
Image 1
Broadway Boogie Woogie by Piet Mondrian, 1942-43
The painting is made up of squares, lines, and rectangles. Small yellow, red, and grey squares make up the lines that go across the painting and up and down the painting. Larger red, blue, and yellow rectangles are placed randomly along the lines. Large white rectangles and squares are created between the lines. The colours alternate, which makes it seem like the shapes are moving.
Piet Mondrian was a Dutch painter who began his career painting landscapes. Later in his career, he developed many abstract paintings. The painting titled Broadway Boogie Woogie was Mondrian’s last completed work.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.
- What kind of shapes did Mondrian use to create his work? How does the painting, Broadway Boogie Woogie, make you feel?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the shapes Mondrian uses to create his work, and the feelings the painting might evoke.
Mondrian used geometric shapes, squares, and rectangles to create Broadway Boogie Woogie. The way he alternated primary colours in the painting creates a feeling of movement.
Image 2
The Eclipse by Alma Thomas, 1970
A painting created by arranging small pieces or tiles of paint close to each other to create a larger image. The painting is created to resemble a mosaic. There is one solid dark circle that is set close to the right side of the painting. This solid circle is surrounded by concentric circles made up of tiles of paint, which get bigger as they move outwards. The circles closest to the centre solid circle are made of cool colours, and the outer circles are made of warm colours.
Alma Thomas was an African-American artist who created paintings sharing the beauty of nature. She used a mosaic style of painting, creating small parts that make up a whole shape or form.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.
- What kind of shapes did Thomas create in The Eclipse? Based on the title of the painting, what might have inspired Thomas to create the painting?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the shapes Thomas created in The Eclipse, and what might have been the inspiration for the painting.
Thomas created geometric shapes and concentric circles in her painting. The Eclipse is from her painting series “Space Paintings,” which includes artwork inspired by rocket launches, space, and sunsets. The Eclipse might be a representation of a solar eclipse.
Image 3
Walk in the Park by Reginald Laurent
A painting created on a dark background. Vibrant lines outline organic and geometric shapes. Bright coloured shapes represent different parts of a park space from an aerial perspective.
Reginald Laurent is an American artist who creates paintings on canvas, wooden bowls, rolling pins, and other objects. He uses a black background and then begins to outline the main shapes in the painting using white colour. Then he fills in the shapes with different colours and adds details.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.
- What kind of shapes do you notice in Laurent’s artwork, Walk in the Park? What is it about the painting that creates the feeling of a walk in the park? What perspective might Laurent be exploring?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the shapes in Walk in the Park, and the perspective used by Laurent.
Laurent uses a combination of geometric and organic shapes in his painting. He might be using an aerial perspective, which explores a park and pathway from above.
Go!
Your turn
Composition VIII by Wassily Kandinsky, 1923
The painting has a large dark circle with a lighter inner circle at the far-left corner. Straight, parallel, diagonal, and perpendicular lines are used to create organic and geometric shapes. Geometric shapes in the painting include rectangles, squares, semi-circles, circles, and triangles. The shapes vary from small to large.
Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian painter who was one of the first artists to create abstract paintings in the early 20th century. His work was often a representation of thoughts and feelings.
Based on the painting you just explored, answer the following questions. Record your answers using a method of your choice.
- What kinds of shapes did Kandinsky use in Composition VIII?
- What kind of feelings or emotions might the painting represent?
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Creating abstract art using shapes
It’s your turn to create abstract art using shapes. Consider the types of paintings you explored in the Action section.
- Would you like to create an abstract design that incorporates objects and subjects?
- Or would you like to create an abstract design that expresses a feeling or idea?
- What kind of shapes will you incorporate in your design?
Let’s revisit the following anchor chart that outlines the differences between geometric and organic shapes.
A chart with two columns each describing types of shapes. Column 1 discusses geometric shapes and Column 2 discusses organic shapes. Column 1 - Geometric: Geometric shapes are shapes that can be described using a mathematical formula (e.g., circle, square, triangle, rectangle etc.) Apart from circles, they have straight lines, angles, and points. Column 2 - Organic: Organic shapes may have outlines that are curved, angular, or both. Organic shapes are usually irregular or asymmetrical. Organic shapes are often found in nature (i.e., plants, animals etc.).
Now let’s create abstract art using shapes.
Materials
Materials you might need
Possible materials you might need for this learning activity:
- blank paper
- cards, cardstock, or the inside of a cardboard package
- construction paper
- ruler
- pencil
- eraser
- markers
- pencil crayons
- acrylic paint
- paintbrush and water
- paper towel rolls
- magazines
- scissors
- glue
Student Success
Exploring digital creation options
When you are considering digital creation options, explore the variety of digital applications available!
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Safety
Before you begin:
Now it’s your turn to create! Press the following tabs to check out a variety of methods to create your art. Choose one of the following options to try out!
You may choose to create a drawing, painting, or multi-media artwork.
Possible materials you might need for this learning activity:
- blank paper
- cards, cardstock, or the inside of a cardboard package
- construction paper
- ruler
- pencil
- eraser
- markers
- pencil crayons
- acrylic paint
- paintbrush and water
- paper towel rolls
- magazines
- scissors
- glue
Complete each of the following steps to make your art!
Step 1: Brainstorm designs ideas for your abstract art. Start by drawing some sketches and thinking about the layout of your design. Think about what shapes you want to incorporate.
Step 2: Create your design using materials of your choice. You may choose to paint, draw, or collage.
Portfolio
Track your progress
Consider adding your design to your art portfolio. If possible, share your beautiful art and/or description with a partner!
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.