Toolkit: Obliteration of Self

Students understand how different colors respond to different lights.
Students think about pattern and how that impacts the world around them.

KEY QUESTIONS

1. How do different lights impact how you feel?
2. How do different lights impact how you see?
3. How do different colors and textures respond to different kinds of lights?

VISUAL REFERENCES

1. Infinity Dots Mirrored Room, (1996) by Yayoi Kusama
2. Repetitive Vision, (1996) by Yayoi Kusama

ACTIVITY

Yayoi Kusama says that being in one of her installations is the “obliteration of self.” What does this mean? Find an old t-shirt or piece of fabric. Using fabric paint, sharpies or stamps – create a pattern on the t-shirt or fabric. Kusama used polka dots in her pieces at the Mattress Factory, but create a pattern that speaks to you. Once you have created this pattern on your t-shirt or fabric – think about the environment you would need to create in order to get lost or have an “obliteration of self” moment. What would that feel like to be surrounded by that pattern?

BONUS

Write a story where someone has an experience in a world with the pattern you created.
_______________________________

PENNSYLVANIA CORE STANDARDS
LANGUAGE ARTS

Narratives: (CC.1.4.K.M)
-use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose narratives that describe real or imagined experiences or events.

(CC.1.4.1.M-CC.1.4.8.M)
-write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events

Narrative Content: (CC.1.4.K.O)
– Describe experiences and events

(CC.1.4.1.O-CC.1.4.2.O)
-include thoughts and feelings to describe experiences and events to show the response of characters to situations

(CC.1.4.3.O-CC.1.4.5.O)
-use dialogue and descriptions to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations; use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely

(CC.1.4.6.O-CC.1.4.8.O)
-use narrative techniques such as dialogue, description, reflection, and pacing to develop experiences, events, and/or characters; use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events

VISUAL ARTS

(9.1.3.A-9.1.8.A)
-know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities

(9.1.3.D-9.1.8.D)
-use knowledge of varied styles within each art form through a performance or exhibition of unique work

(9.1.3.E-9.1.8.E)
-demonstrate the ability to define objects, express emotions, illustrate an action or relate an experience through creation of works in the arts