Activity One

What is De Stijl? What does it mean to build something with continuous space? Ask yourself and answer these questions before you start on your project. First make a practice piece by cutting up some foam board in squares and rectangles no smaller than 2x2in. and no bigger than 4x8in. Connect these pieces together using different methods like interlocking, shoving through, and connecting with toothpicks. It should be no taller, longer, and wider than 18in. The other requirement is that the pieces have to be orthagonal. Here is an example:

Now for the graded part of this activity. Make a 16x16in. plane and a 16x16.25in. plane and connect them together to where they form an "L". Next, using three 12in. polls of basswood, create an x,y,z axis to connect to both boards. Once you have made your sight, start to build a gallery using the De Stijl theory to display a 2in. and 3in. ball. Once again, use toothpicks, interlocking, intertwining, gluing, ect. to connect your pieces. This time, however, 25% of your pieces have to be non-orthagonal. Also give some pieces some color using red and gray construction paper. While making this gallery, think about continuous space and try to create something that allows the eyes to wander. Here are some examples:


Good luck.

Activity One

Taliesin by Frank Lloyd Wright is my favorite work of architecture because just the concept of building a house on a waterfall is amazing to me. Plus I love the fact that the house blends in with it's surroundings. The brick that he used matches the rocks of the waterfall almost perfectly. Frank Lloyd Wright is truly one of the greatest architects in America's history. Every one of his buildings is jaw dropping and inspiring to me.

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