Israel in 3D

Create magnificent 3D art that moves and will move you to understand more about our homeland! Looking at the Israeli artist Agam as a point of inspiration, we will create multiple artistic “views” of Israel and share our various interpretations.

Curriculum Themes: 

Materials Required: 

Program Duration: 

Physical Space: 

Number of Campers: 

Age of Campers: 

Core Learnings: 

To learn about the Israeli artist Yaakov Agam
To learn about the geographic landscape of Israel
To learn new art skills and use them to express ideas about Israel and its diverse landscape
To connect to places, modern life, and the history of Israel using visual art as a tool

Explanation: 

1. This project should be done after the geography of Israel has already been explored. Participants will choose a “view” of Israel that is important to them and pair up with someone who has an opposite or very different “view.” See ideas in introduction section. Participants can also work independently on 2 views they find interesting. (Time: 10 – 15 minutes)

2. Once everyone has picked two places in Israel, draw. Participants will create images in one of three ways described below. They may use oil pastels, markers, or any medium available. Drawings should be big and bold, filling the whole page. This will make the Agam technique work best. (Note* Be sure to make the drawing vertically on the 8.5” x 11” paper.) (Time: 1 hour)

Drawing or painting can be approached one of three ways:
• On the first piece of cardstock, participants will create one image on the place they choose to draw. On the second piece of cardstock, they will draw a very different geographical location in Israel.

• If people opt to work in pairs, they should each create one drawing on one piece of cardstock. The goal is to show two very different images -- two very different geographic locations. The artistic goal is to use different color schemes and techniques to push the concept further.

•If time allows they can create a third drawing together that displays a third place in Israel they connect with. This will deepen the collaboration.

*Drawing/Painting tips:

Drawings of the places they choose can be solely landscapes, they can be genre paintings of daily modern life in these places (ex: people played “kadima” on the Beach in Tel Aviv, people davening at the Kotel in Jerusalem, farmers harvesting in the Golan Heights). Use a new color scheme or contrasting colors to enhance the Agam technique. Draw subjects so they are large and bold. (Note* Be sure to make the drawing vertically on the 8.5” x 11” paper.) Outlining the focal point of each art work and keeping things free of details will allow a successful visual outcome. Going along with the Agam techniques abstract interpretations of these scenes should be invited. What colors portray the mood of this place? What types of lines or shapes depict the feeling you may have if you were there? What can you use in your art to express the weather of this place?

 

3. Assembling the Art                                                                              Time (30 min – 1 hour)
• Make 16 equal accordion folds on one piece of 11” x 17” cardstock (for three image drawings attach another piece of cardstock to make 24 accordion folds)

• Label each section 1, A, 2, B, 3, C, 4, D, 5, E, 6, F, 7, G, 8, H

SEE GRAPHIC IMAGE FOR DIAGRAM

• On the back of each drawing (on 8.5” x 11” cardstock) make 8 equally spaced lines with a ruler. Label one page A- H and the other 1-8 ( be sure both pages are facing in the same direction before labeling A B C D E F G H

• Cut out strips 1 – 8 and A-H

SEE GRAPHIC IMAGE FOR DIAGRAM

• Glue each strip to the respective section with a glue stick, on the accordion folded 11”x17” cardstock paper.

• Lay the strips out to be sure you glue everything in the correct direction and order (Younger campers will need assistance).

• Mount final art work with glue gun on foam core or cardstock leaving room underneath for writing.

6. Underneath mounted work write about the place you explored and a few words on the two ideas you are presenting.

7. Display art work and share with the community.

 

Variations: 

The content of participants art work can relate to a topic on Israel of the facilitator's choice.
Here are a few ideas that can be applied:
1. How Israel changed over time. Ex: Desert transformed to irrigated land and farms
2. A historic Israeli event and how it unfolds from beginning middle and end. Ex: the Yom Kippur War
3. What are the various geographical places in Israel?  Ex: Jerusalem hills and the Negev
4. What are some different and maybe opposing political and religious points of view that occur among Israeli’s? Ex: Right vs Left

5. What makes Israel Jewish? What are Jewish values important to Israeli society? Cultural vs. Religious? Ex: Hebrew language and observing of Yom Kippur  

If there is ample time, this can be modified to make three points of view by adding a third drawing. It can be used to teach conflict resolution. One art piece can be created by two people in disagreement. The solution they come up with would be the third image. It can also portray the disagreement between biblical characters such as Cain and Abel and related back to the roles that are played out in camp. Collaborating on one art work will build relationships and encourage teamwork.

The art work can get bigger or smaller and can be simplified for younger groups and made into very intricate work with a more artistically skilled group.
      

This can also be used purely to study the Israeli artist Yaacov Agam. Discussions on the elements of art including composition, color theory, and form can give campers a chance to making Israeli inspired art for art sake.
     

Various materials and techniques could be used including markers, paint, collage, and drawing. This could be a long term project that is worked on over many sessions. 

Supporting Materials: 

Attribution: 

Joy Langer