Torres-García developed his own style, called “Constructive Universalism,” based on the idea that simple, everyday objects and symbols can be understood by everyone, regardless of cultural or social background.

Do you think that a work of art can be understood by everyone? Explain.

• What do you imagine could be some of the advantages and disadvantages to artworks based on this ideal?

• What symbols do you encounter in everyday life that are understood by everyone? Why did Christians use symbols in their communication, on churches and while illustrating the bible?

Torres-Garcia worked as an illustrator for Catholic magazines and took part in that group’s exhibitions.

Between 1904 and 1905, he worked with Antonio Gaudí on the stained glasses of the cathedral of Palma de Mallorca, and on the Sacred Family temple in Barcelona.

He became interested

about the work of the Italian primitive artists and about Hellenistic art.

Mondrian was a Dutch artist who developed Neo-Plasticism, an art form that utilized a white ground, upon which a grid of vertical and horizontal black lines were constructed with alternating blocks of the three primary colors.

Louise Nevelson was an American sculptor known for monumental, monochromatic wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures.

I Am passages from the book of John:• August: I am who I am• September: I am the

True Vine• October: I am the

Bread of Life• November: I am the

Truth• December: I am the

Way

January: I am the Life February: I am the Good

Shepherd March: I am the Light of

the World April: I am the

Resurrection and the Life

May: I am the Gate for the Sheep

http://www.acliparthistory.com/church/cr/index.php?d=171

John 15:5 I am the vine..

Homework: Christian Life Theme as a Constructivist painting

In your sketchbook, divide a thumbnail of a canvas up into compartments. This might be a combination of squares and rectangles, or circles, ovals, or even curving, swirly line that mimic a vine could be encircling your symbols.

Ilustrate the Christian theme “I am” with symbols and font, if that works for you. Select a color scheme that best expresses you idea (could be silver (metal?), gold, metallics, neutrals, monochromatic, etc.