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When you enter William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects, you are immediately part of the art on view. With the help of a GoPro camera, computer algorithms, and TV monitors spanning the gallery wall, City of Abstracts depicts bodies in the gallery, with the illusion of physical and time alteration. Every movement captured is fluid, elongated, and elegant in its motions, unlike reality, where one may feel awkward and bumbling. Time itself appears stretched, akin to a sci-fi film. 

I hung out with City of Abstracts a bit during the run of the exhibition. At one point, a giggling child wearing a bright-colored outfit wove around myself and a Visitor Assistant in the gallery. The streak of their vivid clothing contrasted beautifully with our mostly black outfits. Swatches of stretched rainbow from my Polaroid logo T-shirt danced with my body. 

I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed so long and boisterously from an experience in a museum setting. While museums can help facilitate tough conversations surrounding the state of contemporary society, it’s refreshing to deal with the stresses of our current world by laughing at yourself and your body’s capabilities.  

Sarah Hachey has been a part of the ICA staff since 2015; in her current role as the Interpretive Media and Adult Education Coordinator, she manages all content and interactive activities in the Poss Family Mediatheque, co-produces digital educational resources such as artist interview videos, and oversees the behind-the-scenes for adult programs. Outside of the ICA, she is a multimedia artist, filmmaker, and also enjoys roller skating. 

Friday Art Notes are personal reflections on works of art shown or in the permanent collection of the ICA, written by ICA staff, volunteers, and supporters. Read more 

 

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Designed in mind for kids and adults (ages 6 and up). Patience and the ability to draw the same image repeatedly are key here.

We’ve been making flip books during Play Dates, our monthly family program,  for nearly a decade! We keep making them because they’re fun, simple, and  who doesn’t love seeing their drawings in motion? In thinking back to our 2018  exhibition William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects, we thought it’d be a great  DIY activity to blend art and movement.

 

Activity supplies on a wood table which includes index cards, letter size paper, pen, scissors, and a binder clip.

You will need:

  • At least 13 Index cards, or other thick paper like cardstock
  • A separate piece of paper
  • Pencil or pen
  • Scissors
  • Binder clip or rubber band
  • A window, or some other light-up surface
     

1

Cut your index cards in half so that you have a total of at least 26 cards. (We’ve found that the best flip books have at least 25 pages.) If you’re using another kind of paper, make sure each card is the same size, roughly around 4×3 inches.

Art-Lab_Flip-Book_CUT.png

 

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2

Plan out your flip book on your separate piece of paper. What scene do you want to create? How will it start? How will it end? Remember, simple images (hello stick figures!) can make the best flip books. Also, because we will be binding the left side of the book, it’s best to only draw on the right side of each card as that will be the space that’s visible when you flip your book.

3

Draw your first scene on your first card.

 

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4

Continue drawing the rest of your scenes. Hold up your cards to a window to help you trace elements of your drawing (see example). In order for your drawing to move realistically, you will need to place objects and figures in the same place on each page. Each card should show progression from your first scene to the last scene.

 

 

5

Put your cards in order and secure them together with a clip or rubber band. It may be helpful to number your cards as you go to make sure they stay in order.

Art-Lab_Flip-Book_TOGETHER.png

 

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6

Enjoy your moving image! Holding your book with your left hand, use your right thumb to flip your pages. A little bit of practice will help you get the timing and rhythm of your flip just right.

This activity was created by Art Lab staff and Jessie Magyar, School and Family Programs Manager.


While the ICA is temporarily closed, stay creative and connected with us.

Watch this video of us with artist Nari Ward installing his work We the People (made of hundreds of shoelaces). Find some shoelaces. Make something that expresses how you feel about where you live.

To share, email them to teens@icaboston.org and/or tag us @icateens on Instagram.

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Great for individuals, groups, and families of all ages to work on together at home!

The average museum visitor spends less than twenty seconds looking at any given work of art. Now in its tenth year, Slow Art Day asks museum and gallery visitors around the world to take a pause and spend more time engaging with art. While social distancing keeps us from celebrating Slow Art Day together in the ICA galleries, we invite you to try Slow Art Day from home. 

You’ll need an artwork to focus on, some paper, a writing utensil, and a time keeping device. 

 

 1

Choose an artwork that you’d like to spend some time with. Choose from the walls or shelves in your home, illustrations or photographs in books, or artwork from the ICA collection.

Stuck on choosing an artwork? We recommend Caitlin Keogh’s Blank Melody, Old Wall (2018) for its vivid symbolism. Scroll down for other suggested artwork.

 

Text reading

 

Icon of two closed eyelids with lashes fanned downward

 

2

Close your eyes and take a deep, slow breath.
Open your eyes. 

3

Set your timer for thirty seconds. Spend this time looking closely at the artwork. Start in one corner and slowly move your eyes from side to side, up and down, and back and forth. 

Circle icon of a timer reading 30 seconds.

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4

After thirty seconds, look away from the artwork. Write down ten details you remember.

5

​Repeat steps 3 and 4, this time writing down ten new details.
 

Icon of circular motion

 

Icon of open eyes

6

Return your attention to the artwork. Write down any additional details or observations that you might have missed. 

7

Set your timer for three minutes. On a fresh sheet of paper, try drawing what you see. If you’d like an extra challenge, try drawing while you keep your eyes on the artwork without looking down at your paper or lifting your writing utensil. 

 

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8

Consider your personal interpretations of the artwork’s meaning. What’s it all about? Write your thoughts in stream of consciousness style. 

 

9

What questions do you have about the artwork? Make a list. 

Icon of frame with question mark in it

 

Icon of two closed eyelids with lashes fanned downward

 

10

Close your eyes again. Imagine you are viewing the artwork in an alternative setting: a museum gallery, a vast field, or any other setting your imagination conjures up.  

11

Take a deep, slow breath and open your eyes.  
 

 

Icon of open eyes

 

Icon of frame with exclamation point in it

12

Conclude by reflecting on the slow looking process. How did it feel to look slowly? What did you like best about slow looking? What was challenging about this experience for you? How might slow looking translate to other areas of your life? 

 

Share your Slow Art Day reflections with us on social media by using the hashtag #ICAartlab.

This activity was created by Amy Briggs Kemeza, Tour Programs Manager, in conjunction with the global Slow Art Day initiative.


While the ICA is temporarily closed, stay creative and connected with us.

Grab a camera or camera phone. Set the self-timer button for 10 seconds (grab a helper if yours doesn’t have one). Run away from the camera and into the shot. Repeat. Inspired by photographer John Divola’s series As Far As I Could Get. 

To share, email them to teens@icaboston.org and/or tag us @icateens on Instagram.

Examples:
1: Alaska
2: Brian
3: Emmett

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Virtual Quilt

This activity is adaptable for beginners to experts. Please note that this project involves using scissors to cut fabric and/or paper. Great for individuals, groups, and families to work on together at home!

Inspired by Merill Comeau and her current Art Lab installation Threads of Connection, we’re excited to continue our community quilt in this digital space. You’re invited to create your own quilt square that represents who you are. What makes you special? What do you love about your community? What are you proud of? What do you believe in? Submit your finished quilt square for the chance to be featured in our virtual quilt and help us build community while we’re all apart!

You will need:

  • Scrap fabric, paper, or recycled materials. See more below about material options.
  • Scissors
  • Glue or tape (optional)
  • Camera (optional)

Construction & material options:

  • Fabric: Use scrap fabric for backgrounds and collage details. Look around your house for some scrap fabric or old clothes that you have permission to cut up and use.
  • Paper: Use different kinds of paper for your backgrounds and collage details. Look around your house for scrap or recycled paper, cardboard, cereal boxes, old birthday cards, or newspaper— all of which have different colors and textures and can be great for art-making. If you have a printer, you can download + print our digi-fabric swatch to cut and collage with. Download now
  • Digital: Are you a digital expert? Feel free to submit a quilt square made completely digitally using software or tools of your choice. Get creative!
  • Do you have another idea? Go for it! Be inventive and use what’s around you. Keep in mind if you would like to be featured on the website, you will need to submit a photograph or digital file showing your quilt square from above.

Step-by-step:
 

1. Make your background

Create a square background with the materials available to you. The length and width of your background should be equal to make a perfect square. We’ve been working on a 6” x 6” square, but you’re welcome to work larger or smaller.

2. Cut & collage

Collect your collage materials and brainstorm your design. Cutting custom shapes and using different colors and patterns can help visualize your ideas. Layering is encouraged! Will your design be representational or abstract? How will you cut your materials to make details and designs? How will you place cut pieces onto your background to convey your message? Get creative! There’s no wrong way to collage.

3. Finalize

Once you have your design laid out, glue or tape down your collage materials to keep everything in place. If you don’t have glue or tape you can just lay out your design on a flat surface for taking your submission photo.

A piece of orange fabric square next to a pair of scissors on a table.

If you’re inspired to use other materials, or maybe you’re an expert at other skills like sewing or embroidery, try incorporating them here. Try to keep your design within the edges of your square so we can connect your square next to others!

A colorful square contribution posted on Instagram on an iPhone

 

4. Take your submission photo! Because we’re all practicing social distancing, we’ll be displaying the community quilt digitally for everyone to view from home. Find a sunny spot or brightly lit place in your home or outside. Lay your quilt square on a flat surface that is a solid background and take a photo from above.

Two youths working on their art project at a table while one is cutting a piece of fabric.

A decorated fabric quilt square sitting on a lawn chair outside on a porch.

 5. Submit your photo

Post your finished quilt square on social media with #ICAartlab or email it to FamilyPrograms@icaboston.org for a chance to be featured on our website! 

This activity was created by artist Merill Comeau and Brooke Scibelli, Family and Art Labs Program Coordinator.