Create Your Own Cubist Photo Collage

If you missed yesterday’s post about cubism, go read it before you try this project. Cubists took everyday objects and (in their minds) took them apart and explored the pieces. Then they put those objects back together in a new way. In this way, cubists were able to show many sides of the same object at the same time.
Supplies Needed:

Digital Camera
Printer
Paper
Construction Paper
Glue Stick
Scissors

Make sure you have permission from a grown-up before you start. If you don’t have a digital camera, try drawing your object from several angles instead of photographing it.

Take pictures of an object from many angles. I choose to photograph a tree. The great thing about digital cameras is that you can take as many pictures as you want and choose which to use later. I think I took 30 pictures of my tree but I only used 5 of the pictures.

Print out about five or six pictures. Regular computer paper will work better than photo paper for this project. I printed three pictures in grayscale (black and white) and two pictures in color. You can decide for yourself if you want your collage to be completely black and white, complete color, or a combination.

Cut your pictures into pieces. I really wanted to use the trunk and branches so I cut those out first. Also, I got a picture with the sun shining over the tree. I knew I wanted to use that, too.

Once you have arranged the major pieces of your collage, begin to fill in the rest. For me, that meant adding leaves.

When you’re pleased with your collage, glue everything down.

Just like the cubists, you may find that your collage is more than just a picture of the object you started with.

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