Abstract Paper Challenge

Background Information: The abstract paper project is popular project that I have seen students complete throughout various photography classes. My spin on this project is creating a challenge out of such a simple idea. "Make paper, not look like paper." Students are given a sheet of paper, 20 minutes, and lights/light gels to make their paper, not look like paper. I have completed this challenge with multiple levels of digital photography students, with wonderful results.	Learning Objectives: The student will use the elements and principles of art to create an abstract form with paper. The student will use various lighting techniques to manipulate the illusion of various forms. The student will create an abstract photograph using various materials. The student will collaborate with peers to create an abstract photograph.
Anchor Standards: Anchor Standard #1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. Anchor Standard #2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work. Anchor Standard #3: Refine and complete artistic work. Anchor Standard #4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation. TEKS: 2.A. Creative Expression: Create original artwork using multiple solutions from direct observation, original sources, experiences, and imagination in order to expand personal themes that demonstrate artistic intent	Essential Questions: What conditions, attitudes, and behaviors support creativity and innovative thinking? What factors prevent or encourage people to take creative risks? How does collaboration expand the creative process? How do artists work? How do artists and designers determine whether a particular direction in their work is effective? How do artists and designers learn from trial and error?
Enduring Understandings: Creativity and innovative thinking are essential life skills that can be developed. Artists and designers shape artistic investigations, following or breaking with traditions in pursuit of creative artmaking goals. Artists and designers experiment with forms, structures, materials, concepts, media, and art-making approaches. Artist and designers develop excellence through practice and constructive critique, reflecting on, revising, and refining work over time.	Differentiation: Students may work in pairs Students may be given examples from previous class periods before beginning Advanced students may use DSLR cameras with various lens options. Assign elements/principles of design or moods to the overall abstract piece.
Project Duration: 1 Day Introduction: 5 Minutes Shooting: 20 Minutes Editing/Uploading: 10 Minutes Critique/Voting: 10 Minutes	Instructions: Students are instructed to make paper not look like paper using only paper and lights. Students may manipulate paper by folding, crumbling, ripping, or tearing. No props are allowed No drawing on paper
Project Extensions: On day one, students were to work by themselves. To extend the project, students were broken up in the small groups to create abstract photographs that illustrated chosen elements and principles of art. Ex: Movement, Repetition, Contrast Students may use the final images as reference images for value and shading exercises.	Reflection Questions: What did you find difficult about this challenge? What did you find easy about this challenge? How could creating a photograph using a mundane and simple object translate into your photography practice? What would you change about this challenge? How could you improve your final artwork if you had limited time and resources?

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