Narrator: Picabia looked everywhere around him for inspiration to make his art. This painting shows a popular beach in the South of France, where it’s nice to walk next to the ocean.
Look really carefully at the tall trunks of those palm trees. Do you recognize what they’re made of? It’s macaroni! And what about the tops of the trees? They’re feathers stuck onto the paint. And the little people strolling along the beach? They’re made of pieces of leather cord Picabia cut up with scissors. Even the painting’s frame is made of something interesting. Do you recognize what it’s covered with? It’s snake skin!
Using lots of bits of different things to make a picture like this is called “collage.” When you get home, make a collage of your favorite place the way Picabia did—using things you find around your house. What place would you choose? What would you make your collage out of?