Unit #1: Henri Matisse: Mini-Compositions in Collage

Unit 1: Henri MatisseMini-Compositions in CollageLTC 4240: Art for ChildrenSpring Semester 2013Henri Matisse was born in NorthernFrance in 1869.

His formal education was in law, but was introduced to painting by hismother in 1889 while recovering from appendicitis.

From the moment I held the box of colors in my hands, I knew this was my life! Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse: Lawyer to Artist

Matisse with his mother, 1889

Henri Matisse: Wild BeastAfter a summer in St. Tropez in 1904, Matisses use of color became more daring, imaginative, and expressive.

Matisse became a leader among a group of like-minded painters called the fauves, or wild beasts, by art critics.

One critic stated, "A pot of paint has been flung in the face of the public! (Tynes, 2010, para. 2)

When exhibited in 1905, Lady With a Hat received particularly sharp criticism.

Henri Matisse,Lady With a Hat, 1905

A cancer diagnosis and related surgery in 1941, confined artist Matisse to a wheelchair. He could no longer stand at an easel. This represented a creative turning point in the life of the artist

For the next 14 years of his life, Matisse would express his phenomenal creativity and artistic abilities through an art process he called painting with scissors.Henri Matisse: Triumph from Tragedyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlnBcaZEGb0

Mattise, the French artist once identified as a fauvist painter . . .

. . . developed a new ARTIST IDENTITY with the art of collage. In the last 14 years of his life, Matisse developed his final artistic triumph by cutting into color." (National Gallery of Art, 2013)

Matisses ProcessMatisses paintings and paper cuts appear spontaneous and easily executed, but they were not.He constantly worked to reduce a figure, object, or scene to its essence.

Henri Matisse, La Danse I, 1909Henri Matisse, La Danse II, 1910STUDIO ACTIVITY: IDENTITY COMPOSITIONS IN COLLAGEDesign Problem: Create a series of 1-3 small cut-paper collages that capture the essence of your identity through the use of simple lines, shapes, colors, and space. Brainstorm 3 events (big or small) from your personal history that have helped shape your identity.Make simple sketches of each using shapes.Reconsider your sketches:Can they be simplified even more? Can they be reduced to a symbol by drawing only a part of it?Begin your first collage when ready: select and draw onto your colored paper. Cut-out when ready.Experiment with arrangements of these shapes on a background piece of paper. Overlap, rotate, and change them until you are satisfied. Then, glue them in place.

Self-Assess this first composition and get feedback from a peer: What works visually? What can you change for the second composition?

Repeat this process for Composition #2 and Composition #3.Post one photograph showing your most successful composition on your Weebly site.

Rachel HowardErin McHargueAbbi Sandweiss12References:National Gallery of Art (2013). Matisse Cutouts. Retrieved from http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/matisseinfo.shtmSmith, K. S. (n.d.). Pure essence: What makes Matisse great. The National Catholic Review. Retrieved from http://americamagazine.org/issue/pure-essenceTynes, T. (2010, July 19). Matisse at MoMA. [Web log]. Walking off the Big Apple. Retrieved from http://www.walkingoffthebigapple.com/2010/07/matisse-at-moma.html Welton, J. (2002). Artists in their time: Henri Matisse. New York, NY: Scholastic Books.www.freeplaymusic.comMC Debussy Trois Chansons De Charles D'Orleans2009Classical110918.93en - Arranged by:Leonard Handler, BMI. Published by: Pleasantville Music Publishing, BMI (50%) and Freeplay Music, BMI (50%)