by Corinne Feb 24th, 2011 // Decorations, Exhibits, Just for Fun, Museums, Sculptures

Oppenheim Inspired Furry Bowl

Hi! I’m Corinne, friend of Rebecca and public art consultant. When Rebecca asked if I could help educate her and her kid on art and art appreciation, I jumped at the chance to turn my love of art into a kid-friendly craft. I started with Meret Oppenheim. Oppenheim was a Swiss artist who lived and worked in Paris in the city’s artistic heyday of the 1930s.  She joined the Surrealist movement and was an active participant in the groups’ exhibitions for many years.  Her most famous artwork, and one that was considered one of the ultimate Surrealist works of art, was Object, from 1936.

Meret Oppenheim, Object, 1936
Photo credit: Museum of Modern Art

Oppenheim’s inspiration for this piece occurred during a visit with Picasso and Dora Maar. After seeing Maar’s fur covered bracelet, she then went on to cover everyday objects, a cup and saucer, with fur.

I rediscovered this standard of Art History 101 in one of my old textbooks and, though the deeper Surrealist meaning might be beyond a child’s understanding, or maybe even mine, it seemed like a great jumping off point for a project.  It’s very tactile.  My kid thought Object was very cool when I showed it to him and was very excited to make an art project inspired by it.

I brought out both multi-colored pompoms and multi-colored feathers, which both have a kind of furry effect, and disposable paper bowls (I chose ones made from recycled materials which were sturdy and guilt free).  We armed ourselves with glue and just went for it.  My kid  loved gluing and was very specific about his colors and where they were placed.

We did a just feather bowl and a just pompom bowl but my kid’s favorite was the combo.

All of our efforts were multicolored, but I think just one color would be interesting too.  There are a lot of feather options at art supply stores, including natural ones that would really mimic the Oppenheim’s piece.  You can often find pompoms in the craft section of drugstores but a wider selection at art supply stores.  And now for the instructions…