The IMMA Collection is a unique resource which is made available to the public through a vibrant programme of temporary exhibitions and projects. Collection Exhibitions may explore the work of an individual artist, or address a theme or historic period.
This Teens at Home activity was developed by Dublin based artist Kathryn Maguire. Inspired by Kara Walker‘s art work ‘A Curios Interpretation of the Wit of a Negress in Troubled Times’ from the IMMA Collection, Kathryn invites us to explore living in a black and white world.
Let’s get creative in our exploration of what it would be like to live in a black and white world.
Take a picture of a person or sibling or an outdoors image like a tree – remember to check with the person first that its ok for you to take their photo. In your phone you can edit images by tapping the edit icon, then tap on the 3 small circles and pick any of the black and white options, or you can use the icon with the small clock/timer and this will also give you options for black and whites. Do you prefer them if they are more black or more white?
You could make drawings of the black and white photographs you took on your phone. Or to create sketches, try using very black marks, maybe like a heavy pencil. Maybe you could create drawings, then fill all the spaces with black ink or black markers and create a cut-out style similar to Kara Walker’s.
Cut out images from the newspaper or magazines, now fill in the image with black paint or marker. Does it still look like its original? Use newspaper as a background and make a storyboard with these new characters. You could also use black paper. Sometimes side profiles work better.
Try making a pop-out. Mountains and hills are easy to start with. Maybe your characters are sitting on top of these shapes. See below for ideas how to create pop-outs.
Put up a white sheet, perhaps in the window. Stick some of your cut-outs onto a stick at the back and make them move. Turn the lights out and use a flashlight. Maybe you could make a story.