Cyber Studio: Freedom Tessellation

Create a Freedom Tessellation inspired by Maggie Meiners' works Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear, and Freedom of Religion with MAM Teaching Artist Deborah Guzmán Meyer! 

Artist Maggie Meiners reimagines the artwork of an earlier famous American artist named Norman Rockwell, updating images to address contemporary issues. In her Four Freedoms series, she looks at freedom in America, and how it may be experienced differently by our diverse citizens. Having freedoms for ourselves, also means ensuring freedom for others. In this way, our freedoms are all connected. 

A tessellation is a basic geometric shape that repeats a connected pattern, interlocking without any gaps or overlaps.  Three basic shapes tessellate: square, triangle, or hexagon. We'll start with a square. 

Gather your materials: 

  • Blank Paper 
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Ruler
  • Soft Cardboard
  • Colored Pencils
  • Black Marker 

 

Then follow along with the steps in the video above:

  1. Measure a 2"x 2" square on your soft cardboard.
  2. Cut out the square. 
  3. Cut a simple shape out of one side. Attach it to the opposite side with tape. This is your tessellation template.
  4. Place your tessellation template on your paper, and trace around it. It is best to start in the corner of your page! Continue to trace around your template until your entire page is filled with your repeated tessellated shape! 
  5. Add details to illustrate one of the Four Freedoms. Here, an ear and a mouth represent Freedom of Speech. 
  6. Color your pattern and outline your details. Try a different tessellated shape. 
  7. Make another 2”x2” square. Draw two triangles on two different sides of your square. Cut these out and tape them to the opposite side. 
  8. Starting in one corner, place your new template on another piece of paper, and trace around the outside. Continue to trace around your template until your entire page is filled.  
  9. Add details and color to represent another Freedom. Here, symbols for different faiths represent Freedom of Religion. 

The finished patterns show how our basic freedoms are all connected. 

Try making your own to represent Freedom from Want or Freedom from Fear!

 

Looking for more activities at MAM? Check out our upcoming events page to find camps, classes, and workshops for all ages!