Here are a few sample charts
to get you started:
Every color has a movement:
Red upward, outward, pulsating movement
Orange zigzag movement
Blue downward, inward, circular movement
Black straight, heavy, strong line
White stillness
Every color has a sound:
Orange electric guitar
Blue harp, flute
Brown cello
Black noise
White silence
Every sound or word has a shape:
Dawn thin, soft, horizontal, floating oval
Anger bold, large, agitated starburst
Confusion spiral, cyclone
Silliness bouncy, amoeba-like shape
Winter stiff repetitions of skinny rectangles
and a discovery process. “I want to
discover who I am, how I feel, and
maybe even why,” says one child.
“I have thoughts and feelings inside
of me, and I need to express them,”
says another. Even a simple, “Please
listen,” “Look at me,” or “I matter,”
is being said.
Abstract Expressionism
Begin by introducing students
to the nonobjective works of the
abstract expressionists, such as
Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, Franz
Kline, Mark Rothko, Arshile Gorky,
etc. Give students a clear understanding of the difference between
objective and nonobjective art.
Have them discuss the difference
between looking outward and looking inward. Sit them in a circle and
ask them to describe each other
both outwardly (gender, hair color,
shirt color, etc.) and inwardly (
personality traits, favorite things, how
they might be feeling, etc.).
Sounds, Emotions, and Words
With almost primitive wisdom,
Kandinsky stated that every color
has a sound, every shape has a
movement, every word has a shape.
