Document
Introduction
Raoul Hague made Big Indian Mountain by carving a huge walnut tree. Hague is an abstract artist, which means his sculptures don’t look exactly like the real things they are modeled after. Instead, the artist is inspired by the shapes, patterns, and energy he sees in nature and in the trees he carves.
Questions
What kind of lines do you see on the sculpture? Are they straight, curved, or wiggly?
How do you think the sculpture would look or feel if it were made from something else, like stone, clay, or marble?
Activity
• Find a grown-up to help you with this activity.
• Stir together 2 cups of flour, ¾ cup of salt, and 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar in a large pot.
• Add 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the dough thickens and starts forming a ball.
• Remove from heat and place the dough in a bowl. Let it cool slightly, then knead until smooth.
• Now it’s time to play. Shape your dough into your own sculpture. Think about the lines, curves, and forms you see in Big Indian Mountain as you create.
BTW
Big Indian Mountain is named after a mountain near the artist’s studio. Many of his works are named after the materials he uses or the places he makes them.
Vocabulary
Abstract – Art that doesn’t look exactly like real things, but gives a sense of them.
Form – A shape you can hold or see from all sides.