ARTS MATTERS

CUBISM DURING DURING COVID

Last term in Sculpture we focused on the exploration of the Cubist Art Movement. Our project was inspired by Picasso’s 1914 piece Guitar; a Cubist reimagining using mismatched angels and an unconventional material, cardboard. Trademark elements of Cubism including monochromatic color schemes, geometric forms, and multiple perspectives were at the core of our designs as we conceptualised our own deconstructed perceptions of a guitar. Furthermore, the study and application of spatial awareness and joining techniques enabled us to use simple materials such as cardboard, paper, twine, and tape to develop depth and dimension in our sculptures. 

Working from home, this project gave us an unexpected opportunity to stretch our creativity and invent new ways of construction. Although virtual classes don’t exactly appear to be the most ideal circumstances, in terms of resources and guidance, on the contrary I found that this pushed me to be bolder, adopting a mindset to just try things out. Using household materials, like the pioneers of Cubism in the 20th century, we were able to explore unconventional methods in a process of trial and error. Primarily working independently, experimentation and invention took centre stage, each student allowed to go into their own directions on how to approach deconstruction. I was particularly excited to explore the composition of objects that weren’t constricted by the realistic world. Indeed, I believe this is what resulted in such exemplary and greatly varied sculptures from my other peers as well.

Overall, this Cubism project challenged my creativity experimenting with augmented reality and I’m eager for what’s to come this term. 

Emily Chang

Year 9 Student