Art Lesson, Dali

Unfortunately, these days many children do not have sufficient opportunities to use their imagination. This lesson lets them exercise their imagining skills.

Salvador Dali, Spain 1904-1989, is a perfect artist to help kids explore the world of imagination. Much of his art though, would be difficult to show in an elementary classroom because it would require considerable discussion given that the subject matter is extraordinarily graphic.

Here are few examples of Dali artwork that can inspire children to create an imaginary picture. The Persistence of Memory, 1931

The melting watches are some of Dali's most famous. Ask students what they think it might mean to have "time melting".
Sleep Mascara
The crutches represent the assistance or help that is needed by all. Even the dog has a crutch holding up his head. Prior to showing this print to students in class, I usually make a big deal by saying some kids might find it very creepy. I verbally explain the picture before I turn it around and show it.The Hand


Lobster Phone
(Be forewarned, if you show this one to kids in 1st & 2nd grade, they will almost wet their pants from giggling so hard. You'll need to have your transition words ready to move them on from the "Lobster Phone" to the rest of the lesson in a composed manner.)

A lesson inspired by Dali.
Explain to students that they're going to make a "Surreal Tree" because their tree is going to have crazy things growing on it. Things that don't really grow on trees.

Materials Needed: Pencil, glue, scissors, pieces of cardboard, brown and green paint, magazine cut outs

Step 1: Draw basic tree branches

Step 2: Paint brown bark
Step 3: Paint green leaves

Step 4: Cut out things that wouldn't naturally grow on trees. Use magazines to find these things.
Step 5: Glue objects on tree.

Step 1: Draw basic tree and branches

Need large (approx. 3"x3") and small (approx. 1" x 3") pieces of cardboard.

Dip large pieces of cardboard in brown paint for the bark.

Remind students to press gently, to get the imprint to look more like bark. Tell them to "tap, tap, tap" the edge of the cardboard onto the paper.

Use a smaller piece of cardboard for the leaves.

Tap, tap, tap leaves onto the branches.

If you'd like your students to finish this project in less than one hour, it's best to give them a pile of pre-sorted magazine pages with interesting objects, people, etc.
(As you may know, if you give your students whole magazines many of them will spend the entire hour looking for pictures.)

After choosing their pictures, students should cut them out

so only the object is showing. Glue on the magazine cutouts.

One Surreal Tree!