One of my favorite studio classes in college was Conceptual Art; it was the first time I experimented with making artworks that weren't "traditional" drawings or paintings. Most of the art I produced that semester was not very good. I distinctly remember spending hours lining up hundreds of thumbtacks across the hallway to create some sort of barrier. I probably called it "Untitled (War)" or something equally edgy to a nineteen year-old art major. I loved it because it was about ideas; I wasn't restricted by technical ability or expensive supplies. It was about making, communicating and questioning. Those are the things that stuck with me. This class is the inspiration for my current (and favorite) unit with my Grade 7's. I remember my instructor starting class by showing us dozens of controversial images and asking, "Is this art?" Last year I followed a similar format but this year I've been able to dig a little deeper. I've been collaborating with Zander Lyvers, the Humanities teacher, and it's really broadened the scope and impact of this project for our students. We studied a variety of different art pieces and writings by famous artists and critics to determine a set of 'objective' criteria on which to judge art. The class favorite was naturally, Marcel Duchamp's Fountain (1917). I also have the students develop their own personal definition of "art," which they will later use during their reflection at the end of the unit. It's been really great connecting with Zander's unit, "What is truth?" The students used the research from my class to write responses and hold socratic seminars in Humanities. Zander uses the Banksy documentary/mockumentary "Exit through the Gift Shop" as a basis for discussion as well, which leads to a mockumentary project in his class. The Grade 7's have become incredibly skilled at questioning the validity and value of an artwork or an artist (especially in the controversial case of Mr. Brainwash). This coming Monday, we are taking the Grade 7's on a field trip to the arts district, Sheung Wan, here in Hong Kong to look at some street art. They will recognize several pieces from artists featured in "Exit Through the Gift Shop," like Mr. Brainwash and Space Invader, as well as local artists and organizations. When we return, they will spend the rest of the day assembling their videos and photographs into mini-documentaries that share their field trip experiences. I'm really excited for the students to be able to gather visual inspiration and ideas for their next project, guerrilla art! As a counter to our first project, photorealism, where "art follows tradition," we will be "breaking tradition" by developing environmental, interactive guerrilla installations around campus. I'm looking forward to helping them explore their ideas; this is a project where they are not limited by the classroom, materials, or technical proficiency. I think it gives them a sense of freedom and I can't wait to see what sort of unexpected ideas they can come up with next week!
What are some of your favorite lessons or projects? Where do you draw your inspiration from? -Ms. Long
1 Comment
Zach
9/30/2016 03:25:07 am
Exciting integrations and deeper questioning. Thanks for sharing.
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AboutMy name is Ms. Long and I teach Gr. 5-8 visual art at American International School, Hong Kong in Kowloon Tong. Archives
August 2018
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