Abstract art

According to Experts...

General Characteristics:

Artistic disciplines play a crucial role in the developmental stages of children, yet schools often focus on the development of critical and rational thinking. Art is essential for the development of individuals, improving expressive, logical, mathematical, and linguistic skills, and consequently, critical thinking and problem-solving. Figures like Maria Montessori, an Italian pedagogue, argued that through artistic activity, various cognitive functions could be engaged through the senses. Through art, children learn to express their thoughts and emotions, gain greater self-awareness, and improve their self-esteem. Moreover, artistic construction workshops promote motor skills through object manipulation.

According to Kandinsky, abstract art is connected to children for several reasons:

• Art frees us from stress and allows representing oneself and one’s emotions rather than a specific subject.
• Abstract art can help in recognizing shapes, colors, and lines.
• Abstract art is perceived differently by everyone who sees it and can be easily represented by children.
• Art promotes decision-making processes, helping children to recognise shapes and colors, and in giving meaning to the representation.

Specifically:

The abstraction course consists of 11 episodes aimed at acquiring some important artistic notions through the construction of simple representations made of tempera and cardboard. The child will acquire not only initial artistic idea but also knowledge of some geometric shapes.They will also be able to use colors, and learn artistic techniques such as dripping, color spotting. The chosen activities focus attention on expressing emotions through art and using colors differently, depending on the represented forms.

Age: 6-12

Skills:

• Abstract reasoning
• Learning
• Expressiveness
• Emotion
• Relaxation.