In this unit, students are given the opportunity to connect mathematical knowledge with the Visual Arts. Art and mathematics are often viewed as very separate disciplines, with art being more of a creative pursuit and mathematics focusing on logic and reasoning. These two areas, however, have many shared concepts. Pattern is a concept relevant to both mathematics and art, just as shape, line and scale all are.
Architecture and graphic design are areas that reflect the blur between art and mathematics, as measurement, shape, pattern and proportion become equally as important as aesthetics. Both of these areas require strong visual-spatial skills, and architects in particular draw on an understanding of measurement, shape and scale in order to understand and create designs.
Art & Craft
Art & Craft lessons provide students with the unique opportunity to combine very open creative techniques to their learning. As a less ‘high stakes’ version of the Visual Arts, in Art & Craft lessons students are freer to play as they create their works. This more relaxed and open creative process often leads to a greater level of comfort for students to take risks in their art-making. Art and Craft lessons make a failure in art-making less daunting and innovation highly achievable.
This lesson, designed for Years 3 and 4, will make reference to six commonly noted elements of art:
- Line – Are lines horizontal, vertical, diagonal, straight, curved, thick..?
- Shape – Are 2D shapes geometric or organic, how large or small are they?
- Colour – What colours have been used? What shades of each colour? Are the colours dull or bright?
- Value/Tone – How light or dark is the colour? Is there a contrast in the design?
- Texture – What textures have been used on the surfaces? Is there any appearance of texture?
- Space – What area will the design be placed in? What space is there within the design? What space surrounds the design?
- Form – Are there three-dimensional objects or the illusion of three-dimensional objects?
Need more convincing on the intersection of Art and Science? Here are some inspiring words from one of the greatest physicists, bongo player and lock-picker of our time: Richard Feynman.
THE FEYNMAN SERIES – Beauty (https://youtu.be/cRmbwczTC6E)
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