Assemblage Art
Inspired by Louise Nevelson
Assemblage Art made from “throwaways”
Art has been created from cast-off materials since art has been in existence. Certain artists are drawn to making something out of what would generally be considered nothing — taking what most people would view as useless and arranging it in an artistic manner, or placing it with traditional materials or in a particular setting that elevates it from junk to art.
Art created in this manner is often referred to as “assemblage” and endless varieties of it exist. It can be very sculptural, as seen in the recycled automobile parts assembled by John Angus Chamberlain. It can resemble a stage set, as demonstrated in Ed Kienholz’s large-scale installations. Or it can be confined to a plane or box, such as the assemblages of Joseph Cornell.
In this particular lesson plan, students will look closely at the work of Louise Nevelson, known for her abstract sculptures made from cast-off pieces of wood — actual street “throwaways” — uniformly coated with black or white spray paint. Students will create their own assemblages from wood pieces and other cast-off objects on a panel. Nevelson is credited with saying “I think all great innovations are built on rejections.”
Art has been created from cast-off materials since art has been in existence. Certain artists are drawn to making something out of what would generally be considered nothing — taking what most people would view as useless and arranging it in an artistic manner, or placing it with traditional materials or in a particular setting that elevates it from junk to art.
Art created in this manner is often referred to as “assemblage” and endless varieties of it exist. It can be very sculptural, as seen in the recycled automobile parts assembled by John Angus Chamberlain. It can resemble a stage set, as demonstrated in Ed Kienholz’s large-scale installations. Or it can be confined to a plane or box, such as the assemblages of Joseph Cornell.
In this particular lesson plan, students will look closely at the work of Louise Nevelson, known for her abstract sculptures made from cast-off pieces of wood — actual street “throwaways” — uniformly coated with black or white spray paint. Students will create their own assemblages from wood pieces and other cast-off objects on a panel. Nevelson is credited with saying “I think all great innovations are built on rejections.”
Process & Goals:
-Find objects and practice arranging all of your items on your board or flat surface in an interesting way. All objects should be touching or overlapping. Think about your positive/negative spaces and how much you want parts to stand out and how much to sink in.
-Glue everything together.
-Spray paint sculpture white so it all looks like it goes together and you can see the different layers and textures.
Things to consider:
-Finding items that are contrasting (tall vs. short or wide vs. skinny) If all of the pieces are the same size and same height it will be a boring sculpture.
-Think about a theme or story you can tell with your found items. If it has a hidden meaning it will create more interest for the viewer.
-Think about different textures to include (some smooth, rough, jagged, pointy....)
-Find objects and practice arranging all of your items on your board or flat surface in an interesting way. All objects should be touching or overlapping. Think about your positive/negative spaces and how much you want parts to stand out and how much to sink in.
-Glue everything together.
-Spray paint sculpture white so it all looks like it goes together and you can see the different layers and textures.
Things to consider:
-Finding items that are contrasting (tall vs. short or wide vs. skinny) If all of the pieces are the same size and same height it will be a boring sculpture.
-Think about a theme or story you can tell with your found items. If it has a hidden meaning it will create more interest for the viewer.
-Think about different textures to include (some smooth, rough, jagged, pointy....)