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This game helps children develop a fresh perspective on the world around them, encouraging them to see beauty and interest in the seemingly mundane aspects of their environment.
By focusing on the pure sensory qualities of their surroundings, rather than the conceptual meanings we usually assign to things, children can cultivate a more direct and immersive experience of the present moment.
This practice can foster a sense of wonder, creativity, and appreciation for the richness of our perceptual world.
Additionally, by learning to see their own awareness as a continuum of experiences, rather than a collection of separate objects, children can develop a more fluid and flexible sense of self and a greater understanding of the nature of consciousness.
Hey there, young artist!
Today, we're going to play a fun game called "The Abstract Art Adventure."
Have you ever looked at paintings that don't show any specific objects, like people, trees, or houses, but rather a mix of colors, shapes, and textures?
That's called abstract art! In this game, we'll explore how we can see the world around us like an abstract painting.
We'll focus on the colors, patterns, and textures we see, rather than trying to figure out what everything means.
Are you ready to embark on this artistic journey?
1. Show the child some examples of abstract art by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Mitchell, Mark Tobey, or Helen Frankenthaler.
2. Take the child on a walk around the neighborhood or to a park.
3. Encourage the child to look at the world around them as if it were an abstract painting. Ask them to focus on small areas where they see interesting patterns, textures, and colors, like sidewalks, walls, or patches of dirt.
4. Remind the child that the goal is not to analyze or judge what they see, but simply to experience the world as a play of form, texture, and color, without worrying about the meaning behind it.
5. If the child doesn’t enjoy abstract art, you can adapt the game using figurative art. Show them a painting of a figure, still life, or landscape, and ask them to notice how the entire canvas is made of paint, not just the objects depicted.
6. Encourage the child to see their own awareness as being like the painting – a continuum of experiences, rather than separate, isolated objects.
To further explore the concept of abstract art and its relationship to perception and awareness, consider introducing your child to the book “The Noisy Paintbox: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art” by Barb Rosenstock.
This beautifully illustrated biography tells the story of Wassily Kandinsky, one of the pioneers of abstract art, and how he experienced colors as sounds and sounds as colors. Through Kandinsky’s journey, children can learn about synesthesia, the blending of senses, and how this unique perspective influenced his groundbreaking artwork.
By engaging with this inspiring story, children can develop a deeper appreciation for the power of art to transform our perception and understanding of the world around us.
1. Who is the main subject of this book?
a) Pablo Picasso
b) Vincent van Gogh
c) Wassily Kandinsky
d) Claude Monet
2. What special ability did Kandinsky have?
a) He could fly
b) He could see colors when he heard music
c) He could talk to animals
d) He could predict the future
3. What did young Kandinsky’s family want him to become?
a) A painter
b) A musician
c) A lawyer
d) A doctor
4. What gift changed Kandinsky’s life?
a) A violin
b) A paintbox
c) A camera
d) A book
5. How did Kandinsky describe the colors when he first used the paintbox?
a) Quiet and dull
b) Noisy and alive
c) Smelly and weird
d) Tasty and sweet
6. What did Kandinsky’s early art teachers tell him to do?
a) Paint exactly what he saw
b) Use more bright colors
c) Quit painting
d) Paint faster
7. Why did Kandinsky eventually quit his job as a lawyer?
a) He was fired
b) He wanted to travel the world
c) He decided to become a full-time artist
d) He inherited a lot of money
8. What kind of art did Kandinsky create that was different from other artists?
a) Portraits
b) Landscapes
c) Still life
d) Abstract art
9. How did people initially react to Kandinsky’s abstract paintings?
a) They loved them immediately
b) They were confused and critical
c) They didn’t notice anything different
d) They offered to buy all his paintings
10. What is the main message of the book?
a) Always do what others tell you
b) Art is only for talented people
c) It’s important to follow your passion and unique vision
d) Abstract art is better than other forms of art
1. c) Wassily Kandinsky
2. b) He could see colors when he heard music
3. c) A lawyer
4. b) A paintbox
5. b) Noisy and alive
6. a) Paint exactly what he saw
7. c) He decided to become a full-time artist
8. d) Abstract art
9. b) They were confused and critical
10. c) It’s important to follow your passion and unique vision
Verse 1:
Look around, what do you see?
Not things, but shapes so free
Swirls of green, dots of blue
A world of art, just for you
Pre-Chorus:
No need to name, no need to know
Just let the colors flow and grow
Chorus:
We’re on an Abstract Art Adventure
Seeing the world in a new measure
Patterns, textures, all around
A canvas where wonder is found
Verse 2:
Sidewalk cracks make crazy lines
Tree bark swirls with grand designs
Clouds paint stories in the sky
An artist’s dream passing by
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
Our eyes are brushes, painting scenes
Of what the world really means
Not objects separate and apart
But one big, beautiful work of art
(Chorus)
Outro:
Open your eyes to this abstract view
A masterpiece of me and you
In this world of colors without names
We’re all part of nature’s frames
Remember, at QMAK, we don’t just teach; we empower. We don’t just inform; we inspire. We don’t just question; we act. Become a Gold Member, and let’s unlock your child’s full potential, one question at a time.