Louise Nevelson “junk” boxes
Robyn Corum, Art Teacher
Haines 6th Grade Center
Time required: 3 class periods @ 45 min.
Louise Nevelson was one of the most important American sculptors of the 20th century. Known for her abstract expressionist crates, she used found objects or every day discarded things in her assemblages. “When you put together things you find you bring them to a new life.” She began to make environments in wood in the late 1950’s. They began as tabletop pieces, then became human scale columns and finally were room size walls and installations. She would paint her pieces all one color, usually black, white, gray or gold. At first they were black and then became white and gold as well.
Performance Objectives
- Students will be introduced to the artist/sculptor Louise Nevelson who is known for her abstract expressionist assemblages using found objects.
- Students will discover the elements and principals unique to Nevelson’s work.
- Students will collect found objects and junk from home to put into a box.
- Students will choose a spray paint color to paint their finished box.
- Students will consider a theme or meaning to the ‘junk box” and what it will say about them.
- Students will learn how an assemblage of found objects can be transformed into art.
- Students will learn about the aesthetic layering of objects to produce depth and interest in the space of the piece.
Materials
- Box from home (can be any size from a very small present box. to a shoe box)
- Found objects and “junk” that tells about them or has a theme (something you have collected over the years).
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Nontoxic paint or spray paint
- Gorilla glue for tough/heavy objects
- Posters of Louise Nevelson’s work
- Book on Nevelson
- Extention cord
- Plastic gloves
- Painting mask
- newspaper
Vocabulary
- assemblage – a collection of personal things. An artistic composition made from junk or odds and ends.
Procedure
Day one
- Show students Louise Nevelson’s assemblage work
- Tell students about her life and how she came to make the found object boxes.
- Discuss the different ways to make assemblage boxes and how to make one meaningful for the artist.
- Talk to students about layering objects for depth and interest.
- Discuss where to find objects for their box and how to decide on a theme.
- Homework: bring in a box and a bag of “junk” for the next class. Glue will be provided.
Day two
- Show students how to arrange their objects in the box before gluing. Give pointers on organizing junk into a pleasing composition. Consider the size and shape of the box before arranging.
- Each table can share a glue gun.
- Let students spend time arranging and gluing objects into boxes
- Remind them about depth and interest and bringing the viewers eye back into the piece.
Day three
- Bring the finished boxes outside with a sheet of newspaper, plastic gloves, mask and bottle of spray paint for each student.
- Be sure that it is not a windy day or too cold. If temps are OK and it is not raining then lay out newspaper and place box on top facing upward.
- Show students how to use spray paint. Demonstrate shaking the can frequently and using a continuous back and forth movement. *Remind them to stand down wind when spraying. Hold nozzle about 2-4 inches from the box and move it back and forth in a continuous slow motion for best coverage.
- Be sure to completely cover the box, inside and out with paint. Be sure all of the objects inside the box are covered with paint as well.
- Boxes will need at least an hour outside to begin drying.
- Take boxes inside to dry overnight. Remember that the spray paint will be very smelly and boxes will need to be in well ventilated area for the night.
Assessment Measures
- Did the students create an original “junk” box inspired by the artist Louise Nevelson?
- Did the students use the elements and principals of art that they learned to assemble a dynamic and interesting compositon of objects in their box?
- Did the students layer their objects for depth and interest?
- Did the students spend time in the process of putting their box together?
- Did the students follow directions for spray painting the box for an even coat of paint?
Resources
- Louise Nevelson book
- Posters of Nevelson’s work
- Albee, Edward., Louise Nevelson Atmospheres and Environments. Crown Publishers, Inc. NY. 1980.
- Glimcher, Arnold B. , Louise Nevelson. Praeger Publishing, NY. 1972.
- Galerie Jeanne Bucher, Paris., Nevelson Wood Sculptures and Collages., Wildenstein, NY. 1980.
- www.artcyclopedia.com/artist/nevelson
- www.louisenevelsonfoundation.org
