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.
To add to the lesson I really like the idea of a class cooperative mosaic. Maybe do it in small groups of 4 or 5, and the words or pictures they create for the mosaic can be a message they want to rest of the class to know, or something for the school at large. I would also have students discuss a piece of artwork using the vocabulary of Formalism, and then have them describe the same artwork without that vocabulary, in a different way, so they can participate in New Formalism.
ReplyDeleteI loved making the mosaics. To adapt this to my classroom I would have students decide what formal criteria is most important to them in art, not including the basic formal elements. Then they would use their own standards to judge different art pieces shown to them. For example, one student might choose to look at brightness, balance, denseness, and radiance. They could also use these elements in creating their mosaics.
ReplyDeleteI think I would have the students pick two works of art, one traditional formalism, and one that they think is new formalism. I would then have them share with the class the differences between the two works and why they placed them in the categories they did. I would be sure to encourage the students to explain how line, form and theme of the work adds to weather it is formalism or new formalism.
ReplyDeleteIn order to change this lesson, or make it better, I would definitely still keep the mosaic project, but have them make it more meaningful to them in their community. In order to do this I could have them brainstorm as a class feelings they have at school and being a part of this. They could each make a part of the mosaic and then combine them into one large mosaic.
ReplyDeleteHard theory! But I thought you did a great job explaining it. I would like to extend the mosaic area of this lesson a little more. I would go into the history of mosaics and study the different shapes that have been used. I would show my students different kinds of mosaics so that they could get an idea of how they want to put together their mosaic. I think it would be good to tie in another subject with the mosaic as well.
ReplyDeleteI loved the idea of posing the question of what formalism is to the class and what the meanings are to it. Children may have a hard time understanding this theory but I think with examples that we talked about in class, they would understand it better. I loved the Mosaics that we did in class. It would be fun to make one as a class, or as a school, or even as a town. There could be one theme around the whole piece of art that would or could describe the town or the school. It would show what is most important to them. We did this in my home town except instead of a mosaic we did a mural painting. It was amazing and beautiful and everyone got to help out! It would be fun and interesting if the children thought of ways to describe the piece of artwork without using the regular terms for it. Having them come up with their own vocabulary words would help them to remember it and apply it more to their art criticism.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of this new way of thinking. It's interesting that we've all learned the basic qualities in art, but maybe we're missing something just as important. Also, I loved the mosaic idea. They were really fun to make. Everyone's were very individual and unique. It was cool to see the different meanings and thoughts we each focused on. An adjustment I would make to the lesson would be to apply it to English. An idea could be to read a book as a class, have a group discussion about what main points the author was trying to teach. After getting the main points, figure out some not so obvious ones. Relate these lessons to the students' lives to help make it more meaningful. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteI would show the students pieces of art from a wide variety of different styles and ask them what stands out to them in regards to the form. We would have a discussion about how they would describe the art pieces and what kinds of words they would use to describe their form. The mosaics were really fun and I think they could be used in any subject. I really like the ideas that others have said about making a class or community collage. The students would learn a lot about unity and cooperation from doing a project like that. I also liked the idea of making a mosaic that was more personalized for the student. The teacher could provide an open ended prompt to help the students make a mosaic that represents them or their families. After the mosaics were created the students could write a poem, a story, ect. describing the mosaic using some of the new vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteI think since this theory only focuses on the formal properties of art just like color, shape, lines, rhythm, I would have many students create any crazy sculpture they want having in mind this idea of shape and movement then I will have them express why they chose to do their artwork with the rest of the class to add a social component to it. The mosaics were an excelent idea! Good job!
ReplyDeletei really felt like i knew what you were talking about, and could easily teach kids this theory using your lesson. during class, i noticed there were some different opinions on what was "new formalist" and what wasn't. thats the great thing about art - it means something different to everyone. i think i would have kids look at different forms of art, and then give them one art piece to write a paper on, explaining why they think it is or isn't new formalist. i'm sure the kids would come up with different answers, and as long as they back up their answers well, i think they could all be right in their own way. i really loved the lesson!
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson!I loved doing the mosaic so much that I put it up on my fridge!One thing I love about this theory of art is that instead of just passively viewing a piece of art as good or bad, you are able to look at each element it contains. For kids who are just building their confidence in their artwork it's good to emphasis the fact that certain elements were considered essential previously and that they themselves can decide on elements that mean something to them. Mosaics allow a lot of creativity without the frustration of mastering a paint brush. For my own class I would have the kids look at different shapes and think of what emotions they invoke, (Circle-happy, relaxed, Rectangle-powerful) and then have them create a mosaic using those shapes to emphasize that emotion.
ReplyDelete