SHAPE

Light as a medium to explore three key attributes of perception -- shape, color, and motion

COLOR

MOTION

WHAT WE ARE MAKING

WHY WE ARE MAKING IT

You will create a layered color collage that explores how different colors mix and change when illuminated with various light sources.

To understand how colors interact with light and how layering transparent materials can create new colors and visual effects.

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Prompt

Create a 3D structure from a cut-out cardboard shape, explore the interplay between light and shadow, and observe how adding elements alters the shadow's form.

Materials Needed:

• A piece of cardboard (approx.A2)
• Pencil
• Scissors or craft knife 
• Glue or tape
• Flashlight
• Ruler
• Paper for sketching

Steps:

1. Sketch Your Shape (5minutes):
2. Begin by sketching a simple shape (e.g., a star, heart, or geometric pattern) onto your piece of cardboard.
3. Cut Out the Shape (5 minutes):
4. Carefully cut out the shape from the cardboard, making sure to keep both the cut-out piece and the negative space (the hole left behind).
5. First Light Projection (10 minutes):
6. Place your cut out in front of a flashlight or lamp in a darkened room. Observe the shadow it casts on the wall or roll of paper.
7. Build Around the Cut-Out (20 minutes):
8. Use the cut-out piece and other cardboard scraps to build a 3D structure around the negative space. Be creative in how you attach and layer the pieces to create depth and form.
9. Second Light Projection (10 minutes):
10. Place your 3D structure in front of a flashlight or lamp in a darkened room. Observe the shadow it casts on the wall or a piece of paper. Compare the new shadow to the original one. Notice how the addition of the cut-out piece alters the shadow’s design.
11. Document: Create a post in the responses tab with 2 of your photographs

Deliverables:

1. A completed 3D structure.
2. Photos of the shadows before and after adding the cut-out piece.
3. A short reflection on how the addition of the cut-out piece influenced the shadow.

PROMPT

1st

Choose a base shape for your frames

2nd

Cut Out Frames

3rd

Cut Out Colored Filters

4th

Assemble the Collage

5th

Build Your Structure

6th

Color Mixing Exploration

Project the Collage

7th

1.5hr

Deliverables

• In the responses tab:

1. Completed Color Collage: A 3D structure made from layered frames and transparent colored filters.
2. Photos or Sketches: Capture images or sketches of the projected colors and how they blend and change.
3. Reflection: Write a short reflection on how the colors interacted when illuminated and how layering influenced the final visual effect.

1st

Design Your Frame:

• Choose a base shape for your frame (e.g., square, circle, triangle).
• Sketch the frame on a piece of cardboard or thick paper, ensuring it’s sturdy enough to hold the layers of colored materials.

10min

2nd

Cut Out Frames:

• Using scissors, cut out the selected shape from your cardboard or paper. You can create multiple frames if you wish to layer them.

10min

3rd

Cut Out Colored Filters :

• Cut out different shapes from transparent colored cellophane or acetate sheets. Consider geometric shapes, abstract forms, or any design you like. These filters will be used to overlay onto the frames.

10min

4th

Assemble the Collage:

• Start layering your colored filters onto the frames. Secure them with glue or tape. Experiment with the arrangement and layering of colors to see how they combine and interact.

15min

5th

Build Your Structure

• Construct a 3D structure using the frames and colored filters. Ensure the filters are positioned to overlap and interact with each other when viewed through the structure.

15min

6th

Project the Collage:

• In a darkened room, use a flashlight or small lamp to project light through your 3D structure onto a white wall or sheet of paper. Observe how the colors mix and change when illuminated.

10min

Flashlight

Wall

Shadow

7th

Color Mixing Exploration:

• Adjust the distance between the structure and the light source, or move the light around to see how this changes the projection. Experiment with using multiple light sources or colored filters to explore different effects.

10min

Flashlight

Wall

Shadow