Here’s an art app that the kids won’t outgrow (and I know that because I think I’ve had as much fun with it as they have).
New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has created a truly innovative art app, the MoMA Art Lab, that encourages children to learn about artistic composition in a whole new way. Using some well-known examples of modern art as a starting point, the app allows you to explore colour, shape and form through open-ended activities.
The activities are unusual. For example, you can create a ‘sound composition’ using an Elizabeth Murray collage or a ‘shape poem’ inspired by Brice Marden – both are interesting ways of combining art and language. My favourite is the mesmerising line design activity, reminiscent of the work of Jim Lambie.
Once you’ve been inspired by the guided activities, hit the free-form drawing section where you can create, save and share your own masterpieces. The drawing ‘tools’ included in the app are truly impressive – pens of various widths, shapes to play with and an amazing array of forty-eight colours to choose from (sure beats the standard selection of a dozen or so colours).
This app is deceptively simple – it may appear to be straightforward activities focused on shapes, lines and colour but each provides a unique starting point that will inspire and stretch artistic minds. Unquestionably the most exciting app I’ve come across this year.
MoMA Art Lab is available via iTunes for $2.99. It’s suitable for ages five and over (note that there is audio for pre-readers included within the app).
(via Swissmiss)
