Big Idea: Yin/Yang

Cycles/Self and Opposites

2D Cycles and Self Yin-Yang

7th-9th grade
First Project
Collage, Paint, Draw!

Yin-Yang Philosophy
The universe is both constant and cyclical according to the Yin-Yang Philosophy. One force dominates and then it is replaced
by the opposing force. This activity continues constantly and repeats itself over time in a the form of a cycle.
Yin and yang are opposite in nature, but they are part of nature, they rely on each other, and they can't exist without each
other. The balance of yin and yang is important. If yin is stronger, yang will be weaker, and vice versa.
Yin and yang can have aspects of each other, hinting the white dot in the Yin and the black dark apart of Yang. It is believed
that yinyang exists in everything.
In traditional Chinese, Yin-Yang is still important in Chinese medicine and feng shui today. Yin characterizes the feminine or
negative nature of things and Yang stands for the masculine or positive side.

Examples illustrating the philosophy of yin yang include:

Life and death

Heaven and earth
Night and day
Dark and light
Health and sickness
Poverty and wealth
Cycle of the seasons Cold to hot

Yang
Sun
Light
Positive Energy
Masculine
Active
Logical

Yin
Moon
Dark
Negative Energy
Feminine
Passive
Intuitive

Inner/Outer Self
Quick Activity: Look up your personal Yin-Yang sign through your sun sign. Are
you more Yin or Yang in your personality?
http://astrolibrary.org/elements/

Represent your Inner/Outer Self through The

Yin/Yang examples:
Life and death
Heaven and earth
figures, emotions, seasons.
Night and day
Dark and light
Health and sickness
How can you depict these
Poverty and wealth
Cycle of the seasons Yin-Yangs within yourself?
Cold to hot

Marc Chagall
I and the Village
1911
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
192.1 cm 151.4 cm (75.6 in 59.6 in)
Location
Museum of Modern Art, NY

Dreamlike
Expressionism/Cubism
He paints narratives and
folk art, relating to his
Jewish heritage

Look at Detailed image, what do you

see which depicts Yin-Yang?

Animal /Human
Opposing Colors
(complimentary,
warm/cool colors)
Upside down/ right
side up
upside down
buildings

Gustav Klimt

The Tree of Life

1905

Art Nouveau/Symbolism
Design/Patterns
Gold Leaf

Look at Detailed image, what do you see which depicts

Yin-Yang?

Branches=Life
Crow=death
Heaven and Earth

Kumi Yamashita
Contemparay Artist
Conversation
1999
H150, W40, D40cm
Styrene, motor,
single light source,
shadow

Light/Dark
Shadow v.s
real object
Two faces

Kumi Yamashita
City View
Kumi Yamashita
2003
H250, W500, D5cm
Aluminum numbers,
single light source, shadow
Commissioned by:
Namba Parks Tower, Osaka Japan.

Table Activity!

Klimt
The Kiss
Dimensions: 5' 11" x 5' 11"
Created: 19071908

Marc Chagall
"The Fiddler"
1912

2/D Cycles 7th-9th grade

1.

2.
3.

Create an art piece depicting the concept of Yin-Yang by using color and
emotion, the inner/outer self (mark making or feelings) to create a
drawing, painting, or collage.
You must have balance somewhere in your artwork to depict Yin-Yang.
Your artwork must be within a circle which has a continuous cycle.

Essential Questions:
What will you depict in your Yin-Yang Cycle piece?
How can you flow these balances together?
How can you use color and emotion to depict your inner
and outer self and to connect to your ideas of Yin-Yang?

Ex. Light/dark, good/evil, winter/summer, emotions,

relationships.How will you depict the Yin-Yang of your
inner and outer self?