Mask make-over

Mask make-over: Adapting a class assignment from 2D-Design

ETC Level: Cognitive - Perceptive
MDV Level: Fluid - Simple - Structured
Materials: 2 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock acrylic paintspaint brusheswaterpaper towels
Procedures: 1. On one piece of paper, create a symmetrical mask using complementary colors and neutralized variations of those colors. 2. On the other piece of paper, create an asymmetrical image by using a different organization of the same shapes and colors. 3. Processing: Compare and contrast the two paintings. Identify the same shapes in both pictures. Decide which picture most successfully utilizes the shapes. Discuss the balance contributing to the composition of each picture.
Rationale: This exercise was meant to raise the students' consciousness of several elements of composition: color, organization, symmetry/asymmetry, and balance.
Adaptations: This exercise could be a useful art therapy intervention by altering the procedure and processing questions. For example:1. Create a mask on one piece of paper. (It would not be necessary or beneficial to request the use of only certain colors and their complements.)2. By reorganizing the shapes, create another image on the second piece of paper. 3. Process each picture in a gestalt context, i.e. "I am..." Do the shapes develop different meanings in their different environments? "Do you act the same in different environments?" may be a useful question if individual is having adjustment issues. (Considering symmetry/asymmetry and may be interesting, but not necessarily crucial to activity.)