"Popping" Colors in Nature

For our final, our group decided to to make a painting in nature to tie in our "Art in the Environment" Theme. We decided that we wanted to fill balloons full of paint and throw them from a tree onto a board to make a spontaneous painting.

Our materials:

1 poster board (filled with thumb tacks)

ten balloons filled with various colors of paint

a tree

an iphone (for pictures and video)

We found a tree on campus to throw the balloons from. Like all art, we had trouble with our initial concept. The balloons would not pop, despite our best efforts (and 20 thumb tacks), when we threw from the tree. Suddenly, we were very involved in the project. There was disappointment when the balloons didn't pop and extreme elation when they did. It was almost like watching your favorite sports team perform. Finally, we found that if we stayed on the ground and threw them at different angles they would pop. When the balloons bounced and didn't pop, they knocked pieces of bark and leaves onto the painting. We decided that it looked very unique so we left the pieces in the painting. Our title came from the inspiration how colors "pop" in nature. Like brightly colored flowers and trees. We wanted to choose bright colors for the painting to reflect our favorite bright colors from nature. The dark bark and dead leaves contrast nicely with the colors. Even though it was cold and raining, we had a lot of fun making the painting and are really happy with the results.

Here is a short, humorous video, revealing the trials and tribulations involved in throwing paint-filled balloons in ridiculously cold weather.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOw1KvaeWBA&fb_source=message

Happy Holidays Everyone!

~Sehaam, Tait, and Sam