Free Bird

Sarah Ann Greene’s intricate freehand mandalas mesmerize the eye. No tools, folks…

Zeitgeist in the Round

Poker games, floating detritus, video feedback and graphic design…you do want to see this stuff…go ahead and click.

Secret Windows Geometry

Michael Schneider’s new workbook explores geometric harmony in nature, art and technology. No compass and straightedge are required, only a desire to perceive a new “window on the world.”

Museum Mandalas

Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon becomes abstracted yet again at the mercy of Marietta Ganapin’s hole-punch.

Geometry for Artists: Field Report

What happens when you fan the ancient spark of creativity with a compass and ruler? See photos from the workshop!

Geometry for Artists and Artisans

with Michael S. Schneider, Ph.D.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Have you ever wondered why great works of art have an iconic quality? Find out why in this 3-hour intro session.
You don’t have to be “good at math” to enjoy and benefit from this workshop…
Sign up today!

Getty Villa Inspirations

In November 2008,  I did artist-at-work demos and taught several mosaic workshops. (see previous posts).

It was a fantastic! Over the course of five days, several hundred people came through the Education Court to learn about mosaics, watch me work, ask questions, and even try their hand at setting some tiles and the Hammer and Hardie.

I did a series of one-day workshops and rounded out the second week with nearly 60 different students enthusiastically taking on “Ancient Stones in Modern Contexts”.

THE COURSE covered mosaics in historical context, a tour of the new Jim Dine exhibition, along with spectacular Roman mosaics from the Villa’s permanent collection. After the tour, students were asked to settle quietly into their “mind’s eye” and make notes about their impressions and sensations. I introduced the concepts of number sequences, magic squares, symmetry and order, changing color ways, and how to draw and count out a linear sequence. As a testament to the infinity of geometric possibility, a variety of designs were created from the simple grid once there was understanding of the underlying structure.

Getty Villa Mosaic Workshops

Ancient Stones in Modern Contexts
Public Mosaic Demonstrations: October 30 – Nov. 3, 2008
Mosaic Workshops: November 5, 6, 8, or 9, 2008
More Photos, Schedules and Descriptions here!