Document
Michael Ray Charles For Older Children
(Forever Free) Ideas, Languages and Conversations
2015
Michael Ray Charles
American, born 1967
Subject: Mobile Madness!
Activity: Use pictures and drawings to create a mobile
Materials: Wire hanger, string, scissors, hole punch, construction paper or cardboard, pictures from magazines or materials for drawing
Vocabulary: Mobile, balance, harmony
Introduction
Michael Ray Charles created 26 star-shaped wheels out of crutches and hung them from the ceiling using cables. Crutches are used to help people walk when they are injured. In this sculpture, they form wheels, which, like those on a car or bike, help people move forward.
Questions
What words would you use to describe this sculpture?
How would you describe the lines and the shapes?
If you could make a sculpture out of anything, what would you choose and why?
Activity
Decide on a theme for your mobile; it could be anything like animals, family, or sports. Draw pictures or cut out some from a magazine. Glue a piece of construction paper or cardboard to the back of your picture if it needs added support. Punch a hole at the top of your picture and loop and tie a string through the hole. Once you have all your pictures, decide the best way to display them on your hanger. Make some strings longer than others to create an interesting mobile. Don’t leave any too long or too short. Tie the other end of the strings to the hanger. Hang your mobile on a doorframe or a fan and watch it sway in the breeze!
Look again
Look closely at the sculpture. Can you see how it is held together and how it is hung from the ceiling?
Vocabulary
Mobile - A sculpture that is suspended and moves freely in the air
Balance - An arrangement of shapes and colors where no part is more important than another
Harmony - An arrangement of shapes and colors where each component relates and complements one another