IMAGINARY CITIES

Imaginary Cities

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Imaginary Cities using computer techniques learned in class
• Use basic shapes (circle, triangle, rectangle), line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by American Pop Artist (1950-2011) James Rizzi
• Use mathematical connections (coordinate plane, graph points, perspective) and design principles (balance, proportion, gradation) based on Pop Art
• Define Alternative Perspective (an illusion of space and depth on a flat surface on the picture plane)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. New York City A Marathon For All (1997) James Rizzi
2. Read Roberto: The Insect Architect by Nina Laden
3. Discussion Questions "What do you see? Which direction are the lines (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) facing in all the examples? What direction is horizontal, vertical, perspective, and parallel? Do you see any lines that do not follow the rule of these lines? Are they consistent? What is the largest city in the world? What is the longest structure ever built? What is a suburb? How many countries at there in the world? why was the Eiffel Tower built? In what ways are the maps alike? In what ways are they different? Are there any elements in conflict or that do not agree? Are there any ways that the process can be simplified? How can the maps be more consistent? What makes you feel like you are apart of your neighborhood? What things can you do to make your home a better place? What building materials do you see? Where would you see them? Are they natural or man-made? What do you see form a birds' eye view? What do you see from a worms' eye view?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use pencil to draw basic shapes (geometric, rectangle, oval) of the buildings of ones imaginary cities
2. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add details (light strands, cloud formations, raised highways) of ones imaginary cities
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to add negative space (background) to ones imaginary cities 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Imaginary Cities for Assigned Tables
2. One Man's Floor Is Another Man's Ceiling One (1987) James Rizzi
3. Discussion Questions "Would you like living in a city? What are some of the advantages of living in a city? What are some disadvantages to living in a city? What is your favorite city to visit? what part of this city do you like the best? What do you think could be done to improve living conditions in the cities? What are some differences between living in the city and living in the country? If you had grown up in a different city, how would your life have been different? What monuments of your city do you consider the most impressive? How would you describe the architecture in your city? What would you do if you were in charge of the city? How would you improve it? What changes would you make? Would you enjoy designing a new city?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use analogous colors (blue, green, purple) to fill in positive space (buildings) of ones imaginary cities
2. Use analogous colors (blue, green, purple) to fill in negative space (background) of ones imaginary cities
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in positive space (buildings) with designs (stripes, dots, waves) for ones imaginary cities

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Imaginary Cities for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (cardboard pieces, printed paper, foam squares)

Lesson Activities 

1. Add highlights (light source, reflective light) to positive space (buildings) of ones imaginary cities
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to negative space (background) of ones imaginary cities
3. Use stop motion program (iMotion, FlipaClip, Stop Motion) to add an animation to ones Imaginary Cities

Artist Examples

Student Examples