Process
Pre-step: Go back and read the manifesto if you haven’t. I spent a lot of time crafting that.
Step 1: Identify and learn about the key historical event shaping De Stijl philosophy
Step 2: Explain how our manifesto was a reaction to that key historical event
To Do: Answer quiz question 1 via link. Leave quiz window open for future questions.
Step 3: Learn about and summarize our key artistic tenets.
To Do: View content and then answer quiz questions 2 & 3.
Start with this video. Not crazy about how the guy labels the movement “weird” but otherwise it's a solid introduction.
Then check out the website entry on De Stijl from theartstory.org. Explore their links too.
De Stijl was heady stuff. So is this next article. Note sweet Neoplastic page design. Note not so sweet use of mass quantities of small knockout type. Oi.
And as quick recap, check out this cartoon:
Step 4: Differentiate Neoplastic works from previous/following artistic movements.
We'll use examples drawn from 3 different artists: Mondrian, van der Leck, and moi (that’s me, not some obscure French artist). We'll start with me (see earlier public domain comment) and then do the others using museum image links.
To Do: Compare identified Neoplastic works and then answer questions 4 through 9 in the webquest quiz regarding their similarities and dissimilarities.
Van Doesburg examples (Questions 4 & 5)
Mondrian examples (Questions 6 & 7)
van der Leck examples (Questions 8 & 9)
versus
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Step 5A: Create a Mondrian inspired digital painting
To do:
You'll be using the Mondrimat app, developed by Stephen Linhart. Play with the controls for a bit to get the knack and then create your masterpiece. Remember your principles. You won't be able to save it, so take a good screenshot.
Step 5B: Create your membership card
Yea, I know you thought you were done. But Neoplasticism was more than painting. It was a comprehensive aesthetic and that includes type and logo design.
To do:
Create a 2" by 3.5" membership card in any basic drawing program. Use Google Docs if you don’t have one. Include your name and your title (Neoplasticist).
Work your Mondrimat image into the design.
Identify a font that adheres to Neoplasticism principles (as best you can find). If you are working in an offline program you can download my namesake font. But there are others that will fit the bill. The "Geo" fonts in Google Docs are pretty close.
When you are finished e-mail your digital painting and Neoplasticism membership card as two separate files to the following addresses via the DropEvent service. In the subject line put your last name and artifact label (e.g., Pennella Digital Painting). Upload the painting at a medium size. You can search the event number later on to view your fellow webquesters' work.
The instructor's membership card can be seen below. Not bad for a novice. But feel free to school him with your creation.
Before you go off to create, a few words regarding Evaluation might be in order.
