Math in the World: Cubist Art
Aim: How is math used in art?
Objective: Students will discover how math is used
in art. They will create their own
versions of cubism as they use math in their own artwork.
Materials: Crayons
Art Paper
Do Now: Teacher will ask students to look up
the following web addresses on the internet—
http://artcyclopedia.com/history/cubism.html
Known as the “fine art search engine,” this site
gives students a chance to see a
definition of cubism and examples of the form.
http://urtonart.com/history/cubism.htm
This site presents examples of Pablo Picasso’s
work. Students can see how his self-
portrait changed after working with cubism.
http://abstractart.20m.com/cubism.htm
This is an abstract art website. Students can
see more examples of cubism at this site.
http://kolumbus.fi/anna-leena.connal/impressionism/works/pmonet5.htm
This link will take the student directly to an Impressionist painting by
Claude Monet. They can see the contrast between Cubism and Impressionism.
In general, the site houses an impressive collection of Impressionist
paintings and artist biographies
Teacher will explain that students will see
several examples of the Cubism period on these websites.
Note: If your classroom does not have
multiple computers for student use, you can download the pictures yourself and
post them on the chalkboard for student review.
Procedure: Teacher will ask students about their
reactions to the art on the web.
What do you
think about the artwork that you’ve just seen?
Why is this art form called “Cubism”?
How are
geometric shapes used in cubist art?
Teacher will explain that Cubism uses basic
geometric solids. Paul Cezanne, a famous
artist said, “Everything in nature takes its form from the sphere, the cone,
and the cylinder.” Pablo Picasso was a
famous artist who painted many paintings, among them a self-portrait, using
Cubism.
Teacher will ask students how Picasso and other
artists on the website use math for inspiration in their work.
Do you see
math in this artwork?
How do the
geometric shapes make the art look different from an impressionist painting or
a photograph?
See an example of an impressionist painting—
http://kolumbus.fi/anna-leena.connal/impressionism/works/pmonet5.htm
Activity: Teacher
will explain that students will now have the opportunity to create their own
cubist artwork. Using the cube, the
sphere, and the cylinder for inspiration, students should draw or paint a
picture.
Assessment: Formally, Teacher will assess the student
artwork to see if they used cubes and other mathematical shapes. Informally, Teacher will assess oral contributions
and use of the web during the “Do Now.”