Art Explorer #6: Collag-ing with Scissors
I do not get the chance to travel as much as I would like to, but I went to Chicago summer 2008 and came across so many unique pieces of art. In downtown Chicago, these sculptures are placed along the sidewalk, each one focusing on a different aspect of Chicago. One piece of art which particularly caught my eye was this manikin-sculpture that was called “Fashion Focus Chicago 2008.” This piece of art was made using everyday household items (ie. buttons and stickers) and put together as a collage.
One might ask “what is a collage?” According to Schirrmacher and Fox (2009), a collage is “a picture composed of different shapes or elements (p.206). A collage has no lid; it can use different mediums to create a two-dimensional or three dimensional art pieces. It is important for educators to organize various materials to help facilitate children’s creative thinking (Shirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 207). As a future educator, it is important to give children opportunities to express themselves. The collage activity is one technique that children and adults can use to creatively express how they feel about themselves and what they know about the world around them.
Collage Activity Step 1: Gathering
· As an educator, it is your job to be the leader and front the whole activity. The more into the activity you are, the more the children will be. This is your chance to clean up all the small nick-knacks like extra buttons, hair clips, and paper clips out of your house. Ask the children to bring in small objects of different textures, shapes and colours.
Step 2: Analyze & Brainstorm
· Once the class brings in all the different materials and objects, it is time to analyze them. This is where the class will chart the similarities and differences between them. But also, this is where the children will have a chance to brainstorm the different ways they could integrate all of the materials.
Step 3: Experiment
· This is when children’s imaginations are put to work. Children are encouraged to mix different items together creating a new unique style. Children can cut the various materials/ objects, or they can glue it as is, tear them by hand or even sew or staple them down.
Step 4: Recognize
· This is when the teacher puts each child’s creation around the classroom for visitors, classmates and parents to see. During circle time, educators have a chance to discuss the success of the activity by recognizing something unique out of each child’s collage.
Take a peek at this artists take on the idea of a collage. He used guitar picks, something that was very meaningful to the musical artist he depicted. Click the link:
References
Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J. E. (2009). Art & Creative Development for Young Children (6 ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar.
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