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Art Masterpiece: Louise Nevelson “Royal Tide V”
Lesson Plan
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Keywords:
sculpture, assemblage, unity, monochromatic
Grade:
5th grade
Activity:
Art in a Box
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*Note: This is a great activity to display as a grade level project. It will take preparation
from the art guide but it’s very impressive. The more classes involved the higher it is and
the more it looks like a Nevelson sculpture. It’s a great display for Art Walks and
Fundraisers.
Helpful Hints:
** 3 weeks before project start, email teachers the Project Request for 5th Grade letter
(attached to the Art Masterpiece website) requesting children bring a shoebox and 10
various “junk” items. Payless shoe store has donated shoeboxes in the past. The Grade
Level Coordinator may also request extra shoeboxes from Payless Shoes for the project
meeting demo and extras for the 2-3 kids who “forget” to bring a box.
Styrofoam is not suitable as it melts when spray-painted. Please, no glass or other objects
with sharp edges.
Boxes can be spray painted as individual collage boxes or assembled into a large classroom
group sculpture. Be aware that assembling the individual collage boxes into a large group
sculpture requires 1-2 hours and at least 2 volunteers per sculpture. A team of AM
volunteers may agree to come in and assemble all of the class sculptures.
See assembly instructions after the project details.
Objectives:
To create individual boxes that will be assembled into a wall sculpture in the style of Louse
Nevelson.
Vocabulary: Abstract, Shape, Collage, Three Dimensional, Found Item, Sculpture.
KEY WORDS:
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Sculpture – a three-dimensional work of art.
Assemblage – art made from various odd and ends (Art in a Box)
Monochromatic – having only one color.
Unity – a combination of elements in a work of art to make it appear as one – each
part contributes to the whole piece.
Activity: Creating an Assemblage or “Art in a Box”
Materials: Tacky Glue or Rubber Cement, Gold Spray Paint, Cardboard boxes (shoe,
oatmeal, pencil etc.) Found Objects (plastic utensils, wood scraps, pasta, small toys,
beads etc.)
Directions – Version 1:
1. Tell students to make a list of objects they can identify in Nevelson’s Royal
Tide V. Discuss what other objects may have been appropriate to use in that
particular sculpture.
2. This activity is done collectively. Divide class into 5 or 6 groups of 4
students. They will be deciding which items to arrange in their group box.
Once they decide, they can start gluing their items with the rubber cement.
(For best results put glue on the touching surface of the object and the box.
When tacky, press the object down for a few more seconds. (Remind the
students NOT to glue objects on the outside surface of the box)
3. When the boxes are dry, the art guide may want to reinforce these items
with a hot glue gun (optional). Once all classes are finished, the art guide will
attach all the boxes together in a manner similar to Nevelson’s. This can be
done with sturdy tape or hot glue. Then, spray paint the sculpture all one
color.
4. Have students name the sculpture, display and invite others to see the
assemblages.
This display created By Hartford 6th graders 2006-07.
Directions – Version 2:
1. Study some of the works by Louise Nevelson.
2. Use a shoebox as a background. Assemble a collection of items on your
background. Think about their form and how they look next to each other.
Think about the shadows and the shapes cast and the lights and the darks of
your composition.
3. Give students time to arrange and rearrange their personal objects inside
their boxes. They can temporarily attach items with tape.
4. If students do not like the placement of an object, encourage them to pull
off the tape and try again.
5. Show how an object will look different if turned upside-down, sideways, or
even inside-out. Suggest that students hide a special object under or behind
something else.
6. Students can also follow the directions below to make three-dimensional
shapes out of white copy paper. These shapes create positive and negative
space inside the boxes, adding variety and interest.
• Spiral: Cut out a circle. Beginning at the perimeter, cut round and round,
making smaller and smaller circles.
Cylinder: Cut out a rectangle. Roll it up and fasten the edges with tape.
Cone: Cut out a circle. Make another cut from the edge to the center of
the circle. Overlap the two straight edges you have created. Fasten with
tape.
• Accordion Fold: Cut out a rectangle, and fold it into narrow strips by
bending the paper back and forth on itself.
7. Fill the box in any way desired. Any design or assemblage is acceptable.
8. Once you are satisfied with your assemblage, glue the pieces in place. Some
items will be easy to paste with white glue. Others will require masking tape
or even hot glue. Get help from an adult with the hot glue.
9. When the box is filled as desired, let dry overnight. Once dry, take the
boxes outside and spray the entire box and all its contents with a single
color of paint.
10. (Optional). When dry, touch bits of gold paint here and there to highlight
the shapes and textures in the assemblage, if desired.
11. For a stunning display, assemble the boxes into one large wall sculpture.
12. When you are finished, decide with students on a good title for your
sculptured wall. Take time to shake hands all around and to congratulate
yourselves on a wonderful team effort.
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Group Sculpture Assembly:
Here is one way to assemble the sculpture that worked well for us:
Use hot glue to connect the boxes together into a rectangular sculpture. Begin by
lining up 5-6 of the sturdiest boxes on their sides on a flat surface (such as the
workroom table) and glue end to end. These boxes will form the base of the
sculpture. Next lie the line of connected boxes open side up and begin hot gluing
more boxes in rows until you have a large rectangle of boxes. It makes it more
interesting if you turn the boxes lengthwise and widthwise when you glue them but
try to fit them as a puzzle to minimize open spaces. Use 1 or 2 dabs of hot glue on
each connected side to hold the boxes securely together. When completed, two
people can carefully lift the box to a standing position and carefully carry outdoors
to be spray painted. Lie the sculpture down on butcher paper on the grass outside
Use one color of spray paint to thoroughly cover all exposed areas including the
insides and outsides of the boxes and all the items glued inside. Each sculpture will
probably require 2 cans of paint for complete coverage.
*Put bandages on your fingers in advance as holding down the spray button for so
long can cause a nasty blister! You can add spots of a contrasting color to highlight
individual items. For example, paint the entire sculpture white and then spray shots
of gold on individual items. Let dry for an hour or so before lifting and carrying to
the classroom, library, or hallway to be displayed. The sculpture can be propped up
on a box, shelf or counter top to bring closer to eye level. Against drywall, use
pushpins to secure several of the top row boxes to the drywall behind it. On
cement block walls, carefully use a dab of hot glue on the back corners of the top
boxes (do NOT use hot glue on drywall).
The final displays look very cool and are great to have up during the Artwalk!