Mandala Collage and Dancing

We started out class by looking at possibilties for our "big project" at the end of our curriculum unit. We brainstormed ideas inspired by a variety of artists including Candy Chang, Tim Noble, Sue Webster, and others. We thought of building relics and making collages that form mandalas. We spent the first part of class working on those projects.

Then, we looked at a few examples from which we might design our curriculum sketch. We looked at professional books and student artwork. 

 With Rebecca, we got an introduction to BEST (body, energy, space, and time) by using dance to create different kinds of movements and shapes with our bodies. 

Attempting Collages

Collages using personal photos and colored paper inspired by famous collage artists

Covering the curriculum sketch in detail

We tied in what we are doing to our overall theme of collage/spirit/memory. The picture above asks some of the fundamental questions that fit with the theme. We looked at a few famous artists who work with collages and tried to uncover what they mean.

10 minute meditation with a candle flame

We talked about our senses, especially touch. We examined the five elements (water, fire, metal, wood, and earth.) We considered what the represent, how they feel, and how they influence an atmosphere.

Springville Art Museum Exploration

Today we went to the Springville Art Museum for class. We had time to look around individually, make a few sketches, and really take in the variety of artwork. We joined up as a group and discussed the most impactful ones. We discussed what we learned from spending a long time looking at a single piece--how you start to see the layers of a painting or the details of a 3D work. Looking at these works can help us to appreciate more styles of art and consider what makes something worthy of being in a museum. 

Matisse/ Transition to Taste

Hand-painted paper

Matisse inspired collage

Collages made from scraps

Class work

Introduction to taste (sweet, savory, umami, bitter, and sour--lemon not pictured)

We disucssed the precise art of collages and how they can be extremely difficult. Using our own painted paper, we imitated Matisse's work to get a feel of how colors and shapes can balance each other. We experimented with flavor and wrote down reflections on how we respond to different tastes. Dr. Graham made us two kinds of cake that we savored slowly. We are going through the senses to become more aware and more present in our daily lives. 

How can being aware of your senses enhance your artwork? 

In what ways is meditation affecting your well-being? 

At home experimentation ;)

Meditation/Breathing

Find a quiet place at home & meditate every day (luxury bath)

What would you do on the first day of class?
Ideas:

One thing I’ve thought about doing is laying out different materials on the table in front of each student’s chair. One might half scissors and paper. Another might have a chunk of fresh clay or paint. No matter the age I assume that the students will have a desire to touch or explore the materials in front of them. In the midst of that tension I would briefly explain that that impulse is why they are in my class. Whether it be a required class or not, each human has the power and urge to create. I would then have them try to make a visual in five minutes that will help them introduce themselves (a student might make a basketball out of clay or cut out a silhouette of the number of people in her family, etc.)

My introduction would be a Power Point of a few of my works from when I was their age leading up to now (shown below.) I’ll discuss the difference between skill and art and how I’m still learning to combine the two. I’ll let them know that I only just started to do art when I was 18 and believed that I had no skill in anything. I had one incredible teacher and great peers that helped me develop—I hope to be able to aid them in their own progress.

First Hour

During the first hour, we would finish up introductions, cover the syllabus with an emphasis on how I will be evaluating their work. In the first hour I would also like to have a meaningful discussion with the students about why art matters. I want to hear why art matters to them and why it matters to the world (hopefully we would discuss how it can be interdisciplinary, represent a society, help ask important questions and even solve problems, etc.) To help the discussion I might ask them questions like, “What would the world be like without art?” or “What might happen if we stopped teaching art?” Hopefully that discussion would last for most of the class (I’m thinking high school ages) and then I would briefly cover our first project and any preparations needed for the next class.