Day 1: Socially Engaged Art

What We Did Today:

First, I marked some of the concepts and projects that I wanted to learn about in the class. Some of the things I was interested in were learning to draw and paint more realistically.

Next, we introduced ourselves by using candy... Because I hung back and waited for everyone else, I ended up getting a 100 Grand, which I like, but not as much as some of the other candies. I described myself as being caught in sticky situations frequently (mostly caused by my poor habit of procrastination) and slightly nutty (although, 100 grand doesn't really have nuts).





The image I chose had people from an earlier era dancing, eating, and walking around at a picnic like event. They were small and the painting was mostly of the sky and the tall trees. The pictures was somewhat fuzzy due to the brush strokes and the colors that were used. I felt that this described me because I don't always know my way, I am introspective and constantly thinking, "What is the big picture?", and I often feel small as only one insignificant person in this great big world.

Lastly, we talked about Felix Gonzalez-Torres... and his socially engaged artwork. He lost someone dear to him and to remember him, he used the individual's favorite candy to make a pile that weighed exactly as much as his loved one had weighed before he became ill and passed away. We also talked about his generosity as an artist. He invites people to take a sample of the candy and to reflect on their own experiences.

My students could benefit from learning about artwork like this because it would help them see that art is usually based more on process and meaning than just what it looks like when its done. Most people think art and visualize paintings like the Mona Lisa. Socially engaged art is a way for kids to begin thinking outside the box about art. Its a way for them to see that they can be artists if they have ideas and that they don't necessarily need specific skills like drawing, painting, sculpting etc. to be great artists.



We talked about Arthur Wesley Dow and how the elements and principles help us talk about some forms of art as a "composition"... very similar to music. We talked about Line, Shape, Color, Texture, and Value, as well as types of Balance, Proportion, Rhythm, Harmony, Unity, Emphasis, etc.

Extension:

 I loved this video because it shows children how art can be more about the process and the medium than the finished product. This video highlights an artist who performs everyday activities as part of her artwork. 


Classroom Application:


What I really pulled away from class today was the fact that anybody can be an artist. I had never seen art like Felix Gonzalez Torres before and I know it really opened my mind about what can be considered art. In my classroom, I want to present a lesson about art that is outside the box and then let my students come up with their own socially engaged artwork, as we did. It's important for students to recognize art as an experience rather than a finished product. 


For my socially engaged artwork, I wanted to experience what it would be like to navigate through life if I didn't speak the mainstream language or belong to the mainstream culture. I visited family owned restaurants on Center Street where I was the only English speaker and tried to order from the menu. I also went to grocery stores, pharmacies, libraries, and stores to see what products would be available to me. I took pictures of my experience and documented it.