DESCRIPTION: Students look at several works of art to determine the mood created by the color and invent simple dance movements that describe the mood of the piece.

OBJECTIVES: Students demonstrate how color can convey ideas and emotions.

PROCEDURE: Just as color can express sounds and tastes so can it express ideas and feelings. Let's see if we can figure out what colors feel like. I will tell you how I feel and you guess what color I might be. (In describing your feelings make sure that your face, body, and voice to help demonstrate the feeling.)

I feel very happy. What color might I be?
I feel very shy and quiet. What color might I be?
I feel so angry. What color might I be?
I feel sad and lonely. What color might I be?
I feel excited. What color might I be?
I feel oh, so peaceful. What color might I be?

Now that we understand that colors can express feelings let's play a game to figure out what an artwork makes us feel.

Let's see how the colors in this artwork make us feel. What overall feeling does this painting give you? How does the color express this mood? Is the color active (passive, loud, soft, warm, cool)? What kind of movements would describe the overall feeling that this piece gives you? Can you express that feeling by just moving your arms? Can you move just your legs? Now let's put the arm and leg movements together. You have just created a color dance. (Discuss how the other elements contribute to the overall mood or feeling of the artwork.)

Let's create a color dance with another work of art. (Repeat questions with at least one other work that contrasts with the first.)

MINNESOTA GRADUATION STANDARDS:
(1) Read, View, Listen
(2) Write and Speak
(3) Literature and the Arts

Age level: Appropriate for grades 3-5.
Artworks used: Use abstract works or works that use non-representational color. Choose a couple of works that provide contrasting moods.
Props needed: No props needed.
Related to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: No
Notes: This activity works well in conjunction with the activity, Value Equals Sound.


© 1998 WALKER ART CENTER