On the Trail of Mysterious Creatures (Ages 7–12)

 

What do you call a creature whose body is made up of rhombuses? What does the angel of the hearth look like? Who is the mysterious creature named Conglomeros?

During the workshop, we’ll take on the role of detectives and try to find as many unusual characters and enigmatic figures in the paintings as possible. We’ll take a close look at them and try to discover who they are, where they came from, and what stories they might tell. We’ll consider whether they inspire sympathy in us or perhaps a touch of unease. We’ll discover just how important imagination was in art and why people were so eager to create fantastical creatures reminiscent of fairy-tale characters.

In the art segment, inspired by the creatures we encounter at the exhibition, we’ll create our own unique characters. We’ll use decals—a technique also employed by the Surrealists. Using paint, paper, and straws, we’ll conjure up unpredictable, whimsical shapes that will serve as a starting point for further creativity. We’ll draw and glue additional elements onto these shapes until completely new, mysterious hybrids emerge.