Surreal activity: Remix a favourite artwork

Cut up and rearrange a picture to make a new mind-bending artwork.

A painting that has been divided into equal-sized pieces and rearranged

Caption

An example of cubomania, 2021. Te Papa

Raymond McIntyre, Edward McKnight Kauffer, about 1915, oil on panel. Gift of the estate of C. Millan Thompson to mark the occasion of the retirement of the director, S.B. Maclennan, 1968. Te Papa (1968-0002-22)

Activity

For this activity, you’ll need:

  • magazine or copies of images from Collections Online
  • a blank sheet of paper
  • scissors
  • glue.

Step 1: Chose an image

Choose your image from a magazine or Collections Online.

Step 2: Divide your image into squares or rectangles

Fold your image in half. Then fold it in half again and again until it’s divided into many small squares or rectangles.

Step 3: Cut up the image

Cut along the folded lines and make a pile of squares or rectangles.

Step 4: Put the pieces back together

Choose a new and inventive way to put the squares or rectangles back together.

Step 5: Glue down your artwork

Glue the squares or rectangles down in their new order on the blank sheet of paper.

 

This activity has been adapted from the free-to-download surreal activities teaching resource