Create > Vortograph Images

Create > Vortograph Images

Goal: Using mirrors and reflections create 10 abstract vortographs

Studio Activity:

A vortograph is the first completely abstract kind of photograph.  It is composed of kaleidoscopic repetitions of forms achieved by photographing objects through a triangular arrangement of three mirrors.  Alvin Landon Coburn pioneered the non objective photographic style in 1917.  The fractured planes and complex space characteristic of vortograph reflect Coburn’s interest in Cubism.  To get the effect put three mirrors together in triangle from and shoot through them.  Other options include:

For free...

Go to a picture framing shop, and see if you can talk them into taking some scrap glass and cutting you three 1x6 inch pieces. Tape them together into a triangular prism, hold it in front of your lens and shoot through one of the open ends.

For around $10...

Go to a local stained glass shop (or order online) and get a kaleidoscope kit. Assemble the mirrors into a triangular prism, and shoot through one open end.

For around $30...

Order three 1x6 inch first surface mirrors from the "scientificities" division of Edmund Optics. Assemble the mirrors into a triangle and shoot through it.

Trigger Mechanisms: Distort, Reflection, Experimentation

Visual Examples:

Alvin Landon Coburn (Eastman House) > http://goo.gl/Pv0v9N

Westosha Examples > https://goo.gl/photos/TJrsmMvEbwcxF6v59

Coburn Video > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOVcWUQHNC4

Generalize, Reflect & Publish:

Instructional Strategy

• Evaluate the results

Learning Activity

Reflect > Should I go back and rework anything? Have you done anything special with the art elements (line, color, shape, texture, value)  and principles? (Unity/variety, balance, emphasis contrast, rhythm, proportion/scale, figure/ground relationship) What are the dominant shapes, expressive forms, color schemes, and textures that carry significance? Is there symbolism used in the work to convey meaning other than what one sees? Is the work ordered and balanced? Or chaotic and disturbing? What gives the work its uniqueness? Does the work evoke any feelings?

Instructional Strategy

• Providing Recognition

Learning Activity

Publish > Share your album to our G+Community > Concepts & Creations category

Instructional Strategy

• Providing Feedback

Learning Activity

Critique > Give positive feedback > +1 every image that deserves it Give peer feedback > VTS Visual Thinking Strategies > http://goo.gl/1WWmBY

Self-assess > Evaluate > AP Thinglink Rubric Scoring Guidelines >  http://goo.gl/ejQq7B Life Skills Survey > http://goo.gl/iEUqr View responses > http://goo.gl/8YDnYF