1. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI The Great Wave Off Kanagawa & 35 Other Views of Mt. Fugi

2. What is this a picture of? How many people see a young lady? How many people see an old lady? When we look at optical illusions, we can see two or more things in one picture. Sometimes artists choose to include the same object in multiple works so that the viewer is forced to look at the same topic from a new perspective. The Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai was an artist who did this.

3. About the artist 1760-1849 Born in Edo, Japan Started painting when we had 6 years old. From the time he was 14-18 we served as an apprentice wood carver. Hokusai would eventually become a master of ukiyo-e.

4. What is ukiyo-e? Ukiyo-e is a style of woodblock prints This technique was originally used to reproduce texts (similar to a printing press) Eventually, artists adopted the technique Artists would draw a design on paper. The design was transferred to a wood block which was carved to create the picture. Ink was added to the block which was then pressed onto silk for display

5. Hokusai as a ukiyo-e artist Hokusai started creating pictures in the style popular at the Shunsho Studio. These pictures often showed actors, actresses, and other entertainers As Hokusai started to learn about other art styles, he was kicked out of Sunsho Studio and began to work on his own. He work changed and he started to paint pictures about daily life and the landscape around him Hokusai’s early work: Three Women Playing Instruments

6. 36 Views of Mt. Fugi Hokusai became fascinated with Mt. Fugi. In Japanese culture, Mt. Fugi was traditionally linked with eternal life and was seen as the source of the secret of immortality Hokusai wanted the viewer to think about the meaning of life and its relationship to Mt. Fugi

7. Great Wave Off Kanagawa

8. Do you see Mt. Fugi in the middle of the picture? Do you see three boats? What words come to mind when you look at this piece? If Hokusai believed that Mt. Fugi is the source of eternal life, what message he is trying to share? Does he have any other messages?

9. Sunset across the Ryogoku bridge from the bank of the Sumida river at Onmagayashi This picture also has Mt. Fugi, boats, and water. How is it different from the previous picture? How is it the same? What is the artist’s message now?

10. Now it’s your turn You will transform an ordinary shape into a new picture. What can you create out of a circle, triangle, square, or rectangle? Use the shape on the half sheet of paper as the beginning of your artwork. After a few minutes, you can share your work and see what all of the artists in your class created. Good luck and have fun!