Thursday, November 9, 2017

Puppets Middle school

During the past five years I've been including a digital photography and a video making unit starting with grade 7 students. Since they are digital natives we discuss and practice how photography, film, and video apply to the visual arts by doing fairly simple assignments that revolve around composition.

Last year's grade 7 class did a little above average on their photography unit and had some success with their video making projects. I thought it would be interesting to combine a textile project (making puppets ), with creating a storyboard, and doing a video puppet show.

The project had two main learning objectives: the puppet making and video making/editing skills (which includes: transitions, sounds, lighting, composition (framing), to name a few. They were allowed to use a green screen or create their own backgrounds.

In total, the week project lasted almost three weeks. The weakest aspects of the videos were the story lines-they were a bit long and drawn out. There was also a lack of dynamics that would have given the characters energy. Many of the voices were monotone and unexcited sounding. By far the best parts were the puppets and backgrounds. I would do this project again in the future, but maybe insist more on the dramatic aspect of the project.

Below are the puppets sans videos.






  

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Block Reduction Printmaking

This years block reduction prints.  Size 6" x 9" done on ez-cut type of rubber block. 




















Monday, November 6, 2017

AP Art trip: Rome, Italy

Our annual AP Art trip for the 2017-18 school year was Rome, Italy. Over the past three years, I’ve been developing the concept of IB and AP art-centered academic trips for my students. We basically immerse ourselves in the culture and art of the cities we visit. 

To see our past trip: Click here for Barcelona, Spain and here for Athens, Greece 



No thanks to Egyptair for canceling our early flight and having us miss an opening at a gallery celebrating Rome Arts Week. The good news was that we had an opportunity to walk over to San Lorenzo to sample pizza, people watch, and see some art on the streets. It was interesting to hear the kids comment how they wished they could walk around Alexandria freely.

@Varsi Gallery-installation by Polish artist Sepe-from the exhibit, Sleeping Through The War.
@Varsi Gallery-painting by Sepe-from the exhibit Sleeping Through The War.
Getting around the city via public transportation.
@Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Roma-see description below.
Description of above.
@MACRO from Cross the Streets exhibit.
@MACRO from Cross the Streets exhibit. The day before we stopped at the Dorothy Circus Gallery who specializes in American Pop Surrealism and we were told about a couple of their artist who were part of the Cross The Streets exhibit. 
Wandering around the Roman Forum looking for a lost student-true story
Swoon @ MACRO Cross the Streets exhibit
 Installation of graffiti hoodlum jumping the fence to a railway @ MACRO. The figure has a strong resemblance to Napoleon Dynamite, I think.
Roman Forum on a fantastic day. The grassy area looks like a great space to play a game of bocce ball.
@ MACRO
 Spanish Steps-climb up and head back down to shop til you drop or until the stores close.
My students looking for their lost classmate at the Roman Forum. Sarah where art thou?
A trip to Rome isn't complete without checking in the Colosseum. We were hoping for a lion show.
Confrontational bird looking for a handout.
Art @MACRO
The Vatican tends to have nice exhibits of contemporary art prior to walking into the Sistine Chapel room.
Group shot in front of Shepard Fairey @MACRO
Human canvas aka suffering for art.
Mickey and Marilyn rolled into one @MACRO
Decks @MACRO
 Crafty ideas what to so with old storage lockers @ MACRO
Revisiting La Dolce Vita. Silvia..
@Colosseum
@Dorthy Circus Gallery. Carlo was a great guide in explaining all the works.
Student with the giggles. It could have been the tasty black olive or blue cheese or garlic flavored gelato we had beforehand.
Altar of the Fatherland
 Inside the Vatican-the calm before the storm of weeding through 1000s of people crammed in slow moving stream headed towards the Sistine Chapel.
The small and indoor version of, In Art We Trust @MACRO
 Skate culture meet urban culture @MACRO
@MACRO
Helping a friend in need.
Ceiling of MACRO
Detail of a sarcophagus @ The Vatican
Contemporary art at the Vatican.
Church near Trevi Fountain.
 Sten Lex made these interesting photocopied, layered, and torn images @ MACRO Cross the Streets exhibit.
How much skate culture and street art can you take?