Concrete and Abstract: Henri Matisse, The Fall of Icarus

Girls Inc. Math + Art Girls Group: Circle of Hands

Girls Inc. Circle of Hands is a contract the
students write together defining their
relationship. By participating in this
exercise they promise to be allies and
mentors as well as to be strong, smart,
and bold.
In Matisses Fall of Icarus, we view the
figure from above as he falls through the
stars toward a body of water. The Girls
Inc. Circle of Hands activity is symbolic of
hands catching and protecting a falling
figure.
During this activity, students define
abstract and concrete. They learn about
Henri Matisse and how he didnt let illness
stop him from creating beautiful art. They
create a work of art in his style by cutting
tracings of their hands out of yellow paper
to use in place of stars in Matisses Fall of
Icarus.
Answers to questions about art are
written on the stars: If you were an
artist, what would your favorite media be?
If you were going to paint a picture of
yourself, what would it be? If you were to
draw yourself, would you be abstract or
concrete? What is your favorite shape?

Henri Matisse, Fall of Icarus, 1943