"Walk in my Shoes"
What do shoes say about your personality? Maybe nothing, or maybe more than you think. It takes us time to pick out the right style of shoes for our feet... comfortability may or may not be a factor. Nevertheless, a person may have bought and worn over 300 pairs of shoes in their lifetime. What happens to these shoes when we leave them behind?
The students will be creating a painting of their favorite shoe, paying close attention to contour and value. We will be creating an installation in the school hallway, and as these seniors graduate and head off to college next year, the school will show their shoes in memory of the class of 2012. |
Conceptual Toy Customizations
"In conceptual art the idea or concept is the most important aspect of the work . . . all planning and decisions are made beforehand and the execution is a perfunctory affair. The idea becomes the machine that makes the art." Sol LeWitt
Students will submit a concept for their toy customizations relating to the trials and tribulations of woman/man and positive resilient attributes to overcome. These trials and tribulations will directly relate to 1. Historical/Current Events or 2. Community Member/Role Model/Historical Figure. Resilient attributes are positive qualities that help an individual overcome adversity. DUE before production: 1. Student's Conceptual Choice: Historical/Current Events and/or Community Member/Role Model/Historical Figure 2. List of 3-4 specific attributes with correlating symbolic sketches 3. Final: Concepts must be at least 300 words describing the toy customization idea including a.) the driving inspirational choice: Historical/Current Events or Community Member/Role Model/Historical Figure, b.)specific attributes that will be showed through symbolism and c.) production of the toy customization. 3. Final sketch including all symbolism 4. Supply List |
Self Portrait - Inspired by a famous masterpiece
Who am I? While a mirror or a photograph can tell a person what he or she looks like, it doesn't reflect the whole self. Self-portraiture insists the artist embark on a journey of self-exploration in order to make decisions about how to represent him/herself authentically. For each self-portrait, the artist must ask: What expression, posture, clothing, background, colors, texture, and style best express the real me? Artists have always had practical reasons for making self-portraits. Self-portraits may represent an artist’s quest for immortality, as a way to leave behind an image that will outlive the artist. Additionally, a self-portrait can preserve a memory and even help an artist further understand him/herself.
For this project, students will be creating a self portrait inspired by a great master's work of their choosing --- using the style and technique. Step 1 - Pick a Master's work and style for inspiration Step 2 - Aesthetic Value: Write a half page critique that explains the color theory, style, technique, and Elements & Principles the artist uses Step 3 - Take a photograph of yourself in the same portrait style Step 4 - Collage your photograph's background using magazine, newspaper, construction paper, etc. GLUE SECURELY! Sketch your background only if you are copying the master portrait. Step 5 - Gesso your painting surface Step 6 - Transfer your image onto canvas using transfer paper Step 7 - Outline all images in a thin black/brown paint Step 6 - Paint, have fun!! |
Linear Sculptures - the use of Line, Space, Movement, & Pattern
Students will create a Linear Sculpture using toothpicks and glue, focusing on line, space, movement or pattern. Each sculpture must show one of the listed elements and one principle. As inspiration, students will research and choose a famous architectural, linear, or modular sculpture. Students may also choose a painter that captures sculpture visually, for example M.C. Escher or choose a real life subject to re-create (ex. chair, bridge, face, seashell).
Elements Line is a mark made by a moving point. It directs a visual path from one point to another. In sculpture, line can define the solid mass- it serves as the outline. We perceive the “edges” of the surface as lines. In fact, these edges are planes, and this term should be used to refer to sculptural forms. Space refers to the area around, within, and occupied by the three-dimensional object, as well as the way these areas interact. The sculptor must consider the positive space as well as the negative space (the area around and within the structure) when planning a sculpture. Shape is something distinguished from its surroundings by its outline within your design. You can make your whole work a certain shape besides the common square, and then have shapes within the design shape. This makes the design more complex. Principles Movement is the sense of motion created by the angles or planes to further the sculptural idea. It may be categorized as implied movement, optical movement, actual movement, and sequence. A strong sense of movement can be created in a sculpture through the use of diagonal edges or planes. Opposing, asymmetrical paths of movement will challenge the viewer’s sense of balance and can be used to dramatically affect the sculpture. Viewer movement, even if it only involves the eyes, is a necessary part of experiencing art. Pattern is the repetition of texture, forms, colors, or other design elements. Such recurrence of visual elements helps to unify the artwork and creates a sense of structure. Pattern, if used in a regular and planned way, may also emphasize the main idea. If used in an unplanned or random way, it can add a sense of energy and provide a variation on a theme that is unexpected and exciting. Emphasis is given to an area within the design because that area is meant to be seen or is more important to be noticed when compared to other places of the design. For example, your design might be to have white parallel lines going up and down. In the center of this design, you could have a circle. This circle would be a part on the design that is emphasized. DUE Before Production: 1. Concept proposal on design and inspiration including focus on 1 element and 1 principle (line or space and movement, emphasis or pattern). 2. Three "thinking" thumbnails (two per page) 3. Final Sketch of Sculpture (one full page) |