Artist Fong Qi Wei's exploding flowers are exquisitely dissected and photographed. On seeing them I was inspired to try reproducing them as a Junior Landcare activity. They are great lesson in discovering the parts of a flower and appreciating their beauty and intricate symmetry.
http://fqwimages.com/2011/08/exploded-flowers-3/
Of course children love to pull flowers apart and they took on the task with gusto. Some chose to mix flowers together into a beautiful petal mandala. The title 'exploding flowers' really helped to inspire them. After creating exploded flowers some students enjoyed drawing with the petals and extracting colour from them.
Unfortunately, as with most Junior Landcare sessions, I am too busy helping kids to take any pictures, but my daughter did get these two. They definitely look most affective on white paper, some were brought back to the classroom and successfully laminated. The activity has worked well for children from Prep to Grade Six and is a great wet weather fall back. I pointed out the parts of the flower in a chat at the beginning, and showed some pictures of Fong Qi Wei's work for inspiration.
Today I had a go at creating exploding flowers with the Little Bowerbird, she loved it.
Kelly at Be a Fun Mum has also blogged about exploding flowers at her house, find her de-constructed Gerberas here.
Of course the collecting of materials was just as much fun as creating art from them. Especially when you have a raspberry and chocolate muffin in your hand (the last of our frozen summer raspberry harvest).
On an entirely different topic, I have been talking about one of my favourite things, Vegie Group, on the radio. If anyone wants to hear me ramble on, they can listen to Dirty Deeds on RRR here- http://ondemand.rrr.org.au/player/128/201209091300. Dirty Deeds is a great Sunday gardening show and well worth a listen, especially if you have a radio you can carry out into the garden with you. Nothing like learning about gardening, whilst gardening.
What a gorgeous idea Kirsty - the creations you and your daughter made are just beautiful. Must listen to Dirty Deeds too.
ReplyDeleteAs a total aside, I love the outfit your little girl is in, and I had a skirt/pinafore just like that tartan when I was little. I loved it, but the wool was a bit scratchy on my legs! cheers Wendy
This one is quite soft, I have bought adorable vintage tartan skirts for the kids in the past but they have never wanted to wear them due to the itchy factor. The outfit, including the little one's Sylvester and leopard tops underneath, are all her own styling, I have no say in what she wears.
DeleteFong Qi Wei's work is exquisite isn't it? What a marvellous idea to get your group to do some too..definitely an idea that I'd love to have a go at too..such pretty results.
ReplyDeleteIt's great fun, very medative. A pair of tweezers would
Deletehave come in handy
What a sweet activity. I don't remember doing anything like this while growing up.
ReplyDeleteLoved the radio segment, you are a natural, truly and completely. Well done! :)
Loving Little Bowerbirds work. I'm sure I read an article in the paper this week that mentioned a woman talking about her veggie group on the radio and when I read it I thought of you and lo and behold... The article was in the Age and was about house husbands and flexbile work practices - not sure if you saw it?
ReplyDeleteNo way, someone was listening!I didn't see the paper as my partner always steals it to read on the train, but have found the article you were talking about here http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/house-husbands-still-a-tv-fantasy-20120914-25xvg.html and we did say all our partners are working on Fridays. Interesting article, actually a few of our partners work from home so it is feasible they could join us. I think I might reflect some more on why there are no men in vegie group. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteWhat a great activity. Some of these are beautiful enough to use as actual art. I can just see my grand children enjoying this activity too.
ReplyDeleteThis is just lovely. Such a great way to get kids examining flowers, I just love it!
ReplyDeleteReally lovely activity and very tricky too! But a great idea. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour welcome Juliet, great fun for mum's too.
DeleteHow lovely. I pinned this - I hope that is ok.
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