Cubism: Movements in Art
Movements in art Series
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
An examination of the art movement known as Cubism from its beginnings in the early 1900s to its decline during World War I. The Cubist movement featured artists such as Picasso, Braque, and Duchamp who portrayed the world as a jigsaw of geometric shapes and painted from multiple viewpoints simultaneously. The movement was also known for its fascination with depicting motion within a still painting. Additionally, the summary follows the influence of Cubism in sculpture and architecture, relating it to historical, cultural, and scientific events.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-15
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What shapes and colors do you notice in the cubist artwork featured in the book?
How do the pictures make you feel, and what do you think the artist is trying to express?
Can you imagine a story behind any of the artworks? What do you think is happening in the scene?
If you were going to create a cubist painting, what objects or people would you include in your artwork?
How do you think cubism changes the way we see everyday objects?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, give your child a brief explanation of Cubism, emphasizing how it shows multiple viewpoints at once, making us think differently about what we see.
While discussing the book, point to specific pieces of art in the book and ask your child to describe what they see from different angles.
Encourage your child to use their imagination to interpret the art. There are no wrong answers in how art makes us feel or what it makes us think about.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their version of a cubist piece using everyday objects from around your home.
Use metaphors related to your child's experiences to help them connect with the artistic concepts, such as how a story can change depending on who's telling it, similar to how cubism presents multiple perspectives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of diversity in perspectives
Explanation: Through exploring the Cubism movement, children learn that there are multiple ways to see and represent the world around them.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to value different perspectives and ideas from their peers, promoting inclusivity and understanding.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: The book illustrates how Cubist artists broke traditional rules of painting, encouraging thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this mindset to problem-solving in everyday situations, thinking creatively to come up with unique solutions.
Example Lesson: Importance of art in expressing oneself
Explanation: Cubism is presented as a form of artistic expression that conveys emotions and viewpoints uniquely.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use art as a healthy outlet for expressing their feelings and thoughts.
Example Lesson: Understanding historical contexts
Explanation: The book situates Cubism within its historical period, showing how the movement was a response to social and cultural factors.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of considering historical context in understanding why and how events occur, which can enhance their analytical skills.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking in interpreting art
Explanation: Children are encouraged to analyze and interpret the motivations behind the Cubist artworks and their unusual forms.
Real-World Application: This fosters critical thinking as children learn to look beyond the surface and understand deeper meanings and concepts.