Expanding the Square
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| Start with a small back square piece of paper |
On the equinox we think about the light, the dark, and the balance of the two opposites. It’s a traditional time to review the past year and note all the events and accomplishments that have lightened up your life. What sort of achievement are you thankful for? How have you grown?
It is also about taking note of the bitter harvest. What were the hard times and what changes did you have to go through? Like I said, it is all about balance!
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| Students having fun. Check out samples on wall behind them |
The NOTAN is a Japanese art concept that plays with the placement of light and dark elements. You cannot have dark without light or light without dark. This assignment will help you feel the balance.
You will need:
4 x 4-inch square black piece of paper
a regular white sheet of 8 x 11
pencil
scissors
glue…I like glue sticks for this
Start by drawing your designs on the small black square, either organic or geometric, touching the straight edge of one side. Repeat along other sides. Avoid adding any element floating in the middle. After drawing lines, cut your black paper, along the lines, from each side of the square. You can draw and cut shapes within shapes- these are called “double cuts”. Nothing is thrown away. Place your square back together and all the pieced should be there. Lay it on your white paper. Then carefully lift your black shapes and flip them open like the pages of a book. A double cut will be flipped one way and then the other.
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| Keep it simple or go more complex |
Can you see why this is called “expanding the square”? Your design will celebrate the balance of the fall equinox.
Enjoy
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| This student has gone on to be an artist @paintingsbycarina.com |
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