Teaching Students About Art Surrealism
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The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about surrealism is the famous painting “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali. Surrealism is a type of art that was popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and is characterized by its dreamlike and fantastical elements. This form of art is known for its use of unexpected combinations of objects, unusual juxtapositions, and distorted forms.
Teaching students about surrealism can be both fun and informative. For starters, they will learn to appreciate the amazing creativity and imagination of the artists who created surrealistic works. From the melting clocks in Dali’s painting to the distorted faces and objects in Rene Magritte’s paintings, surrealism has brought us some of the most fascinating and thought-provoking artworks.
One of the best ways to introduce students to surrealism is by showing them examples of surrealist paintings. They can be seen as a group onscreen or by visiting an art museum in-person to view actual pieces.
Students can then be tasked with creating their own surrealistic work using the elements of the style. They can start brainstorming ideas by jotting down unusual and unexpected combinations of things: a floating fish head, a flying elephant, a piano with wings. Then, they can experiment with drawing these objects in unusual ways – putting them together, distorting the shapes, and playing with the colors to create a surrealistic effect.
Beyond the visual elements, students can also be taught about the history and background of surrealism. Surrealism originated as a reaction to the horrors of World War I, and its artists sought to create a new form of art that would break free from the constraints of society and traditional art styles.
Teachers can incorporate fascinating stories about surrealist artists – for instance, how Dali once said that he got his surreal ideas from his dreams. They can also discuss how surrealism has influenced other forms of art, such as cinema and music videos.
Moreover, students can take turns presenting their artwork and discussing their ideas. This offers an opportunity for students to express their creativity and ideas, while also learning how to describe and articulate the intentions behind their artwork.
In conclusion, teaching students about surrealism can be a fun and rewarding experience. From the thought-provoking artwork to the fascinating stories behind them, there’s no shortage of ways to engage and inspire students in this form of art. By encouraging students to think outside of the box and experiment with unusual combinations and distortions, they might find new dimensions to their imagination that they could plaster onto canvases of their own.