Opposing Forces

Quick Write(10 points) In your journal, describe a memory of a game you either played or watched.

1. What was the name of the game? 2. How many players participated? 3. Did you play or watch? 4. Where was the game played? 5. Was it friendly or competitive? 6. What was the objective of the game? 7. What type of equipment or pieces were

required? 8. What was the outcome? 9. How was the game stored?10. What was your opinion of the game?

ObjectivesEvaluate the use of subject matter, symbols and

images used in student chess sets and in examples of master works.

Use art journals to brainstorm and create original multiple solutions for a chess set that clearly communicate the theme of “opposing forces.”

Apply advanced hand-building and surface techniques to create a chess set with a functional storage container incorporated into the overall design.

Demonstrate innovation and creativity when synthesizing structural choices and artistic functions.

Background Information

Origins of ChessCaturanga6th c. India (Gupta Empire)Translation: “Four divisions [of the military]”Original pieces represented infantry (pawn), cavalry

(night), elephants (bishop) and chariotry (rook).Spread and developed from Muslim world through

trade to Europe, developing into it’s present-day form.

Game of noble gentlemen during middle ages and Renaissance.

Used during the Age of Enlightenment (1700’s) as a teaching tool in schools and in the military.

Today’s GameContinues to be a game of strategy and

tactics.Competitive or recreational1851-first chess tournament1886-first official world chess tournament1927-first women’s world chess tournament1972-1975-Bobby Fischer dominates over

Russian players during the cold war.

Parts of a Chess SetGame Board: 8

Squares x 8 Squares (64 Squares)

16 Pieces:1 King1 Queen2 Rooks2 Knights2 Bishops8 Pawns

Chess In Popular Culture And ArtsA Game At Chess, Thomas MiddletonThrough The Looking Glass, Lewis CarrollThe Royal Game, Stefan ZweigThe Defense, Vladimir NabokovThe 7th Seal, Ingmar BergmanThe Chess Players, Satyajit RayWizard’s Chess, J.K. RowlingTri-dimensional Chess, Star TrekSearching for Bobby FischerChess, Tim Rice, Bjorn Ulvacus and Benny

Andersson

Group Critique

•What is the subject matter?•What choices did the artist make in order to represent the game pieces and board?•What are the sources of these choices? Are they valid?•On a scale of 1 (difficult) to 10 (very easy), would you be able to play chess with this set?•Does this chess set communicate the theme of opposing forces? Explain.

•What is the subject matter?•What choices did the artist make in order to represent the game pieces and board?•What are the sources of these choices? Are they valid?•On a scale of 1 (difficult) to 10 (very easy), would you be able to play chess with this set?•Does this chess set communicate the theme of opposing forces? Explain.

•What is the subject matter?•What choices did the artist make in order to represent the game pieces and board?•What are the sources of these choices? Are they valid?•On a scale of 1 (difficult) to 10 (very easy), would you be able to play chess with this set?•Does this chess set communicate the theme of opposing forces? Explain.

•What is the subject matter?•What choices did the artist make in order to represent the game pieces and board?•What are the sources of these choices? Are they valid?•On a scale of 1 (difficult) to 10 (very easy), would you be able to play chess with this set?•Does this chess set communicate the theme of opposing forces? Explain.

PLANNING AHEAD

Project Design RequirementsThe Game Board8 x 8 checkered boxes with minimum 1 inch

border around parameter.Box form: doubles as storage

32 Game Pieces16 Pieces (per player): 1 King, 1 Queen, 2

Rooks, 2 Knights, 2 Bishops, 8 PawnsMust represent the theme of “Opposing

Forces”

Review: Parts of a Chess SetGame Board: 8

Squares x 8 Squares (64 Squares)

16 Pieces:1 King1 Queen2 Rooks2 Knights2 Bishops8 Pawns

Other Design ConsiderationsWill your pieces be painted or glazed?How will you represent each of the 6

categories of chess pieces?How will you treat the interior of the chess box

to be functional for storing each chess piece?Besides the 64 checkered squares at the top of

the box, what other designs will you include that will be visually and thematically harmonious with the overall final product?

What craftsmanship issues will you need to consider as you create your chess set?

Activity: 5 minute BrainstormingIdeas to get you started…Cowboys vs. IndiansDogs vs. CatsCoke vs. Pepsi ProductsFruit vs. VegetablesJocks vs. NerdsBiomorphic vs.

GeometricTown vs. CountryArt vs. Science

Cups vs. MugsSneakers vs. HeelsCow vs. ChickenChicken vs. EggUrban vs. SuburbanRepublican vs. DemocratBrainstorm at least 10

of your own!

Journal Assignment (25 points)In your art journal:1.Use pencils and/or colored pencils to create a

minimum of 3 detailed designs for a chess set that communicate the theme Opposing Forces.

2.Include detailed designs for the exterior of each set’s storage box . The top of the lid should have an 8 x 8 checker design.

3.Include detailed designs for the interior of each set’s storage box.

4.Include detailed designs for each set’s 6 types of chess pieces. Include both sides!

5.Included detailed notes for each set designed.

Small Group Activity: Critiquing A Student Example1. How does this project reflect

the theme of opposites?2. How has the student

creatively resolved the imagery for the game pieces?

3. Draw examples of suggestions you might have for creating a border around the game board?

4. Draw examples of suggestions you might have for creating a design for the box that is both functional and decorative?

Questions?Due DatesDesigns turned in beginning of class _______Sets ready to dry end of class _______Surfaces painted by _______

Other OptionsIf you don’t want to do a chess set… Create a different

game board that reflects the spirit of the theme Opposing Forces.

Will your pieces be painted or glazed?How will you represent your game pieces?How will you treat the interior of the game’s container

to be functional for storing your game’s pieces?Besides the game pieces and game board, what other

designs will you include that will be visually and thematically harmonious with the overall final product?

What craftsmanship issues will you need to consider as you create your chess set?