SchoolArts - October 2010

Commemoration Looking & Learning

Elementary

Have students compare and contrast Stan Herd’s artwork with the portraits of Giuseppe Arcimboldo, who used fruits, vegetables, books, and animals to represent the human form. Both artists used everyday materials in unique ways to capture the essence of the people they chose to commemorate. Have students create a portrait by using or depicting unusual materials. Introduce possible materials and lead an open-ended discussion on how students might use them. Remind students to consider color, texture, and variety in their designs. Use natural materials, found objects, texture rubbings, magazine photographs, or other engaging materials to create two-dimensional or relief portraits. Create Middle School

High School

Have students create a plan for a public commemorative artwork. Suggest that they first make lists of events and topics that are important to them. Consider local or global events as reported in the media; for instance, the oil spill in the Gulf Coast; or events taking place locally, like new schools being built.

Have students create design plans for their artworks and consider appropriate sites. After reminding them

Resources

Aboriginal art at the 2010 Olympics:

youtube.com/watch?v=cIJ3Jkz4CZA

Oklahoma City National Memorial:

oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

Stan Herd: millermeiers.com/stanherd/bio.html

Wade Baker and Vancouver Olympics artworks:

Skyspiritstudio.com
vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/aboriginal-art-at-
vancouver-2010-venues_172970lS.html

Tennessee Fox Trot Carousel: wnpt.org/productions/carousel/index.html

Giuseppe Arcimboldo:

abcgallery.com/A/arcimboldo/arcimboldo.html

of the symbols used throughout the Oklahoma City National Memorial, explain that they should consider symbolic elements that will evoke strong emotions in viewers. The designs might be drawn on illustration board, or students can choose to use computer programs to create their plans. Students might even choose to create three-dimensional models. Have students propose specific sites for their artworks.

CREDITS

Developed by the Kutztown University Looking and Learning team, with Dr. Marilyn Stewart and graduate students Amy Ahn, Zoe DeHart, Amanda Deibert, Cassie Langan, Jennifer Low, Ellen Pados, and Katherine Schneider.

Lead author, Zoe DeHart teaches art at two sixth-grade gateway schools—Communication and Technology Gateway and Agriculture, Science and Ecology Gateway—in the Reading, Pennsylvania School District.

Additional Digital Images Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Take Off, 2009. Thunderbird winter sports arena t the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Gold, copper, steel, zinc, and acrylic, 26' ( 8 m) high. Photo: Christopher Fadden. Courtesy the artist.