Tessellation Art History Puzzle

By creating an Art history puzzle, students will apply the rules of a grid drawing system and produce a puzzle that uses tessellations to create interlocking pieces.

The Art History Puzzle project uses the topic of Tessellations to explore:
1. The work of M.C. Escher and the influence of abstract geometrical designs of the Alhambra in Spain.
2. The contributions and work of painters such as Chagall, Stuart, Van Gogh, and da Vinci.
3. Observational drawing and the use of a grid drawing system.

Skills that are developed during the project:
1. Grid drawing system: Measurement and eye/hand coordination.
2. Tessellation template: Non-objective design and sequential directions.
3. Puzzle: Safe use of an X-acto knife and problem solving.

Introduce the work of M.C. Escher and the influence of abstract geometrical designs of the Alhambra Castle in Spain.

Create a tessellation template that will be used for the puzzle.

Use the Tessellation template to design the puzzle. On one side of the 8x10 inch cardboard trace the template so that it fills all of the work area. Make sure that the template is lined up correctly and does not have any gaps between tracings.

Select one of the provided Art masterpieces and create a 1x1 inch grid drawing over the image.  Also create a 1x1 inch grid drawing on the side of the cardboard opposite the tessellation tracings.

Use a pencil and the grid system to reporduce the art masterpiece onto the cardboard.  Use paints to add color to the grid drawing on the cardboard.  Students should be encouraged to change the colors of the art masterpiece that they selected to copy. Studnets can also add or change the background.

Place an extra scrap of cardboard under your work and turn the cardboard so that the tessellation side is facing you.  Use an X-acto knife to cut along the lines of the tessellation pattern.  Remember to always turn the cardboard pattern rather than cut at an awkward angle and always support the cardboard above where you are cutting.

See some of the completed projects!!!

Several modifications can be made to this project for studnets with special needs.  You can still have the student create a tessellation template and trace it out onto a large sheet of thick paper for painting.  Lable each area of the tessellation with specific shades and tints of a color for the studnet to paint.  This modification still has the studnet work with tessellations and paints.