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Lesson One: Frida Kahlo and La Casa Azul (Fall 2021)

This year we are going to explore the work of artist Frida Kahlo and the idea of the self-portrait. Today we are going to learn about Frida, take a tour of her home called La Casa Azul ("The Blue House" in English), and then we will create our own origami house. 

FRIDA KAHLO (1907-1954)
'Self Portrait', 1940 (oil on board)

 
La Casa Azul in Mexico City



Let's begin our journey with a story. 

Book for grades TK-3rd

                                                                   Book for 4th-6th 


Now that we have learned a little about Frida, it’s time to take a field trip to her home in Mexico. While exploring the house pay attention to the way it is decorated, the colors you see, the art and objects that were held dear to Frida. La Casa Azul was more than just her home, it was an extension of herself and her art.  


We will start off with a short introduction video. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaZjXZhg_OA


Ok, now it’s time to take a look around Frida’s house! Please click the link below to begin the tour.  (Depending on grade level you can have the students explore the house on their own or you can do this as a class).


https://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx/en/the-blue-house/virtual-tour/


I hope everyone had fun on our virtual field trip today and learned about Frida!! Now let’s make some art.  



The Project


Is everyone ready to create their own house?  While creating your house remember to think about how you can make your house represent you. 


Today we'll use origami paper, which is a Japanese paper that we fold into many different shapes. The word origami means "paper folding"in Japanese.



Step 1:  Pick your paper


Really think about the color of the origami paper you want to choose.   Are you going to pick your favorite color? Maybe you are going to choose a color that reminds you of a happy place or a food you love?


 

Step 2:  Origami House folds 1 and 2 


Start by folding your paper in half.  You should now have a rectangle.  Leave your paper folded and fold in half again.  Your paper should now look like a square.  Next unold your square back into a rectangle. 



                            
Step 3: Origami House folds 3 and 4


Your rectangle should now have a crease going down the middle.  We are now going to fold the left outer edge to the middle crease.  Once you have done that, repeat with the right side.  You should be left with a square when finishedAgain, unfold your square back to a rectangle.  Your rectangle should now have three creases on it. 




Step 4:  Origami House folds 5 and 6

The final folds are kind of tricky.  Make sure the fold on your rectangle is at the top and the opening is at the bottom.  Start by placing a finger next to the first crease on your rectangle and hold the paper down gently.  Now open up the left edge and bring it to the middle crease and press down creating a fold that should look like a triangle on top of a rectangle or the roof of the house and the body of the house.  Next repeat the above steps on the right side.  




Step 5: Decorating your house


Great job! Your house is now ready to decorate. You can do this in many ways.  You can add a door and windows, you can draw your room, you can just draw things you like, you could make a pattern on it, really just make it your own.  There is no right or wrong here.  




Step 6: Naming your House.  


Now Frida’s house was called La Casa Azul, what are you going to call your house? Find a place on your house to write its name.  For the younger grades you can just go around the class and ask everyone to say their house name.  Your house is now complete! 


We'll learn more about Frida and her self-portraits in the next lesson!


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