| In the fall of 2003, students in grade 8 at Alloa Public School learned about the principles of rhythm and movement as they worked together to create a colourful mural. |
| Principles of design: Principles or guidelines used by artists to organize the visual elements of an art work. They include balance, emphasis, rhythm, unity, movement, variety, harmony, and proportion. |
| Rhythm. A principle of design. Rhythm involves the repetition of elements to create the illusion of movement. |
| Movement. A principle of design. Movement is the way in which the elements of design are organized so that the viewer’s eye is led through the work of art in a systematic way. |
| Students observed that Marcel Duchamp (1912) used the principles of rhythm and movement in his painting, "Nude Descending a Staircase" (right). Duchamp was influenced by multiple exposure photography (left). |
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| Students also observed that Piet Mondrian used the principles of rhythm and movement in his series of paintings of trees. |
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| Can you see how the mural design (below) has been influenced by the artwork of Piet Mondrian? Repetitive, curved lines have been borrowed from the artwork of Mondrian to create a feeling of rhythm and movement in a mural depicting runners at Alloa Public School. |
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The students had fun as they worked together.
