Frank Stella Collaboration

Good morning!  This is a great lesson for when you are working on something else and the kids are all at really different spots.  The final product can be as elaborate or as simple as you or your students choose.  My kids were working on an intricate landscape before I did this project, so some were almost finished, and others may have barely started and were still focusing on details.  As the students finished, they were able to start on this Frank Stella-inspired collage on their own.  The collages in this post are by sixth graders, but I have done this lesson with fifth grade, and I've even tried a modified version with kinders in the past.



On day one we looked at Frank Stella's work, making observations in small groups and sharing out in a large group discussion.  In the past, I have shared this Prezi with kids, which has a short video embedded that focuses on all different organic and geometric shapes.  Organic and geometric shapes is one of the focuses of this lesson.  We also focus on contrast, pattern, and repetition.




We discuss how Frank creates his own "canvas" by cutting different shapes, and layering pieces for depth.





Then it is time to create!




I have used tempera paint or acrylics for this, and I like to have some neon paint thrown in there for that fun, bright effect.  I pre-cut lots of different cardboard (thick, thin, big, small, and corrugated).  For paint storage, I usually just have it pre-poured in egg cartons, but since kids were starting this at various times, I let them pour three colors at a time on a tray, while I monitored.



For storage of these, I had each student write their name on an extra large "messy mat" (rough paper), and they kept all wet pieces on that mat so they would not get mixed up with each others' work.

Once the students have "enough" pieces (I give them a range of numbers, depending on the group and their ability level) it is time to assemble.  Each piece must have a pattern or design, and they should have a mix of organic and geometric parts.



For this group, I plugged in a bunch of low heat hot glue guns and they took turns gluing.  Tacky glue would work well, too.  Some students also added marker details on top of the paint.  For those with extra time, I allow them to add pipe cleaners and/or Twisteez wire to their sculpture/collage, for added "pop".

These can be displayed as a collaboration, or as a stand - alone piece.  Here is one of the collaborative pieces we have done.  In the future, I would incorporate abstract drawing and painting in the background, as well, to make the whole display more interesting.