New Formalist Theory

To make these rings use the fimo or sculpy (any polymer clay). Sculplt it into any style they want. They need to be cooked at 230 degrees for no longer then thirty minutes.

To make the mosaic use scraps that are torn or cut. this can be used for younger grades in integrating shapes to create a larger picture.

We looked at the NEW Formalist Theory which looks at the formal qualities of an art work using other/alternative elements and principles of design, that have new context or meaning. (For example, instead of saying that an artwork is good because of how the elements of line and color are used to achieve the principle of harmony, you could say that the edges and brightness achieve excitement...or any other new vocabulary that describes the formal qualities of that work.)

This would work so awesome with physical and natural science lessons! I would have them find materials that would allow them to explore the formal qualities of nature and explore how they can use them in creating their own art.

Schools Of Criticism

I really enjoyed this lesson. I think that we can use this theory in a lot of different areas of learning. I would apply it to authors that have been criticized for being poor writers but who are now acclaimed; or perhaps methods in math on how problems can be solved.

Basically teaching them that although there is a desired product and outcome, there are many ways to do things and different styles, techniques etc. that can be seen as beautiful and be accepted in the world today.

For earlier grades I would probably use this lesson plan in teaching individuality and that it is good and okay to be themselves and not feel obligated to follow the crowd.

For later grades I would use them in a more analytical approach. I would have them read a series of authors who were not recognized as good authors in their time and see what the students think and make their own conclusions.


See NING for instructions on how to make this project

Queer Art and New Media

"It is when we are confused that our minds start to work.“

-Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev

This quote is a great summary of what the queer theory represents. Queer artists take ordinary, everyday objects and transform them into new pieces of art that call to question social standards and ideologies. We looked at a variety of artists to see just how vast queer art is. This form of art comes in a variety of ways including dance, sculpture, paintings, rooms, photographs, and group protests.

Artisits discussed:
Felix Gonzales-Torres
Pepon Osorio
Collier Schorr
Jeff Koons

Artists such as Osorio explain the stories behind their pieces of work as in this video:
http://www.pbs.org/cgi-registry/mediaplayer/videoplayer.cgi?playeraddress=videoplayer.cgi;media=%2Fart21%2FPO3_video_lo.rm%2C%2Fart21%2FPO3_video_hi.rm%2C%2Fart21%2FPO3_video_lo.mov%2C%2Fart21%2FPO3_video_hi.mov%2C%2Fart21%2FPO3_video_lo.wmv%2C%2Fart21%2FPO3_video_hi.wmv;title=%22En%20la%20Barberia%20no%20se%20Llora%20%28No%20Crying%20Allowed%20in%20the%20Barberhop%29%22%20by%20Pepon%20Osorio;widescreen=true;playertemplate=%2Fart21%2FTemplates%2Fart21_mp.html

We looked at the group Improv Everywhere as they silently but very publicly deomonstrate how ridiculous the social norm of "beauty" really is.

http://laughingsquid.com/111-shirtless-men-go-shopping-at-abercrombie-and-fitch/


In keeping with the theme we made our own Jeff Koons balloon animals. We had a demonstration at the front of the classroom and we practiced making them. To include other areas of cirriculum, we had each student think about one subjec they were passionate about. After thinking of adjectives that would describe this passion, we had them write with permanent markers these words they had come up with.

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/14883_basic-balloon-animals-moose.htm (we used this link to learn how to make other kinds of animals if the children want to be creative)

In keeping with the theme of unusual art (uncluding media), Dan taught us how to recycle plastic bags to make material and yarn. We looked at these artists who have done a lot with this new fabric:

- Cayce Zavaglia

- Joana Vasconcelos (crochet drawing on sculpture)

- Michael McDowell

- Emily Barletta

- Felieke Van Der Leest (jewelry)

- Dan Steinhilber (MOA exhibit)

- Sheila Pepe (radical knitting/subversive lace)

- Carol Hummel (Tree Cozy)

- Knitta (Hollywood)

- Mleak

- Cathy Kadan (clothing)

In order to make this yarn, you need to lay a bag lying down with one face up. Cut it into about one inch strips long ways to keep them as circular strips. Once you have them all cut out, loop them together to make it a long continous strip. You can later crotech with it or other various textiles.

This "elephant" below is a demonstration of how to make bag fabric. Between two piece of parchment paper, place a plasitc bag. Iron over it for a few seconds, then flip over and do the same. The bag will shrink and harden and once you have done one bag you can connect bags by ironing two bags together at once. Make sure you don't iron right on the plastic because it will melt onto your iron!

They don't have to always make shapes. Mine just happened to look like an elephant.

http://www.threadbanger.com/post/5599/recycled-plastic-bag-dresses

Water color and Tempera Paint

These activites would be great to use while introducing media to students. Because they are pretty safe and inexpensive I would definitely use them for younger grades. These would be great media for Expressionist theory because tempera paint doesn't necessarily fall into one type of painting or the other. And water color has the potential to give it's very own flair according to the artist and the way colors are mixed etc. A good artist to use while explaining water color might be Monet.

Accesible Art

To make paper brads you will need a hole punch and some Elmer's glue. In the appendage that you will be attaching to the body punch one hole punch. Lay the appendage on the body so that that hole is laying completely over a part of the body. Using a VERY SMALL amount of glue put it inside the hole and take and extra piece of paper, lay it on top of the hole and apply pressure for about 30 seconds. You should have a fully moving arm, leg, neck etc when you are done!





we looked at some artists that create art using found/everyday/easily accessible materials (because we all know how well equipped elementary classrooms are with art supplies..not!), but here we saw that you can be creative and create some really beautiful things using simple things like paper and a pair of scissors. We looked at artists Alexander Calder (mobiles) and Peter Callesen (paper cut-outs). Then we all made some great stuff in our open studio time using paper, wire, clue, and scissors (we made pop-ups, wire sculptures, puppets, paper sculptures, etc). (so really there's no excuse to not do art and it can so easily be incorporated into teaching core subjects..and possibly an even more effective and definitely more fun way!)

Printmaking and Instrumentalist theory

These projects were SO much fun! They could be used for almost ANY lesson plan. I think I would use the marble paper to teach the color wheel, complementary colors etc. I wouls also consider doing the etching a relief sculpture in conjunction with ancient art (i.e. pottery and sculpture) to help them get a feel for the skill. I would also have the students make up a family or individual crest and have them put it on the linoleum blocks. After they created it I would have them write a letter to their political leader and say what is on their crest and why. At the end they would stamp it as their signature.

Printmaking Techniques: woodcut, silkscreen, intaglio, engraving, dry point, sugar lifts, aquatints, etc...

Etching (what you carve out will print b/c ink will stay in the grooves)
For middle-aged students: try Styrofoam blocks, food trays, or printmaking (using an embroidery hoop, cheese cloth, and tempera paint mixed with flour), etc....

(Styrofoam Block)

Relief (what you carve out will remain white)
For older students: try linoleum block printing (enforce safety) or silk screens (could make them out of material shower curtains, Modge Podge (or contact/freezer paper), frames), etc.....

(Linoleum Block Print)

For younger students: try potato/sponge painting, hand prints, marble paper (using shaving cream and food coloring), etc....

Marble Paper

Sponge Stamp

http://www.robertviana.com/- printmaker! Way cool!

http://1000woodcuts.com/galleries/WoodEngravings/engravenature.html- Maria Arango

Institutional Theory and Sculpture

Making homemade playdough can also be a chemistry/science lesson (and it's cheaper then buying it!). It was a great way to personalize this theory and style. I think I woud try to take them to an art museum or perhaps construct a classroom museum of artworks that they do! Focusing on geometric shapes will be a great help to younger children who are still developing those fine motor skills. Hands on, hands on, hands on!

I loved the work of Jeronimo Lozano! So creative and wonderfully done. The work was so meticulous and is a great way for people to connect on a personal level.

http://fun.familyeducation.com/sculpting/recipes/37040.html- homemade playdough recipe

Textile Lesson Plan- Nature

This would be a great project to use if a class was studying plants. It would give them an indepth look at the parts of plants and possibly a good assessment to see how well they have learned how plants operate.

Grade: 3-5

Time: 1-2 hours in class time.
Objective: Students will learn and understand the basic components of a plant and will demonstrate their understanding by creating a plant of themselves using textiles.

Materials: - paper -nature items: twigs, leaves, flowers, etc -yarn ,thread, fabric - glue -any other item students may want to bring to create their plant.
Exploratory question: If you were a plant, what kind of plant would you be? What kind of roots, leaves, petals, etc would you have? What would they be made out of?

Procedure:
1. Explore textiles, show students different artists that use textiles, show them different art that is made using textile techniques. Have students brainstorm different skills they may have with textiles.

2. Review the basic components of a plant (roots, stem, leaves, blossom, etc) Make sure the students understand the different roles that the different parts play.

3. Give students the exploratory question. Show them your example. Model a basic presentation for students.

4. You can set aside class time for students to explore different kinds of plants or to review plants you have already learned about, maybe go to the computer lab. OR you can make the research part of this lesson homework.

5. Let students know what supplies you will provide, have them bring in any other supplies they may want to use to compose their plant.

6. Give students time in class to put their plants together.

7. Have students briefly share and describe their plants with the rest of the class.

Alternative Assessment options:
1. Have students write a brief paper that describes their plant and how the different parts work for the different components of the plants.

Example:

We made it a group plant. Natalee was the icicle pansy roots because they like cold weather. Karyn was pine needles because they withstand a lot of exposure to harsh weather and still survive. I was cherry tree leaves because they remind me of new beginnings and hope for things to come.

Textile Artists

Dan showed us how to make Recycled Yarn & how to Crochet with it!
We looked at artists-
Cayce Zavaglia- J
oana Vasconcelos (crochet drawing on sculpture)
- Michael McDowell
- Emily Barletta
- Felieke Van Der Leest (jewelry)
- Dan Steinhilber (MOA exhibit)
- Sheila Pepe (radical knitting/subversive lace)
- Carol Hummel (Tree Cozy)
- Knitta (Hollywood)
- Mleak
- Cathy Kadan (clothing)

Reflections on Expressionism Theory

I thought this was a great lesson plan. I was fascinated with the use of history in connection to this theory.

I really enjoyed that lesson. I like that Amanda and Ellen were able to cover a lot of cirriculum using one topic. I think it will really help students see one time period or event through a number of different aspects. I think something that has been void on the classroom for a long time is the "why" behind a lot of theories and history taught. By teaching multiple things in this way I think it is more applicable for students and will help them to really discover themselves and become more empathetic to a number of cultures/ people/ events etc. If I were to use this lesson plan, I think I would add a creative writing portion. Perhaps using the prompt like "You are a child who is in Europe during the time of the Black Plague. write a letter to a relative to explain what life is like during this time period and how you think it may be possible to get rid of the disease or stop it from spreading." I also think that kids would LOVE to experiment with Jackson Polluck's artistic methods. I would perhaps have them create their own Jackson Polluck with a description of the meaning.