Stella's Shelly the Shell Video

A student from Ms. Park's class, Stella, did this incredible Shelly the Shell video based on a Marcel the Shell video. I am so proud of her and her videography skills. Bravo Stella!

CASTING BODIES

Fourth graders are having a complete blast partnering up and casting each other in plastic packing tape. I can't wait to see these when they are arranged together for a life-scale-exquisite-corpse sculpture!

Niema Qureshi: Visiting Artist

Last week, Mr. Kerney's 4th grade was visited by sculpture artist Niema Qureshi. Niema is a local sculptor who I met a few years ago while attending an art development class at Marwen Art Center. She is not only very talented, but great with students! She gave us a presentation on her own work, and then showed us some images that she is working on with local high school students. Her website is below along with a couple of pictures I grabbed. Ms. Cortez's class was able to see part of her presentation as I video taped a section of it! The students were really excited about her work, and some of the plastic-packing-tape sculptures she has done with her students! They are ready to cast themselves!

http://www.niemaqureshi.com/

asking art: 10 questions

When looking at and talking about art, there isn't a right or wrong way to ask questions. However, I have a nice list (that I grabbed from the MCA) which could be helpful when you are questioning art at home or while visiting art centers/museums/galleries.

1. What do you see?
2. What do you notice?
3. How is this made?
4. How would you describe this to a friend on the phone?
5. Be an actor/dancer/musician. How could you play this piece?
6. When and where does this belong?
7. What does this start to symbolize to you?
8. Why on earth would somebody make this?
9. How could this connect to an experience you have had?
10. What would happen if we __________________?

Amazing Installation in London!

Read about this incredible art installation this weekend, and wanted to share! This would be a great way to describe conceptual art. A pretty perfect example of it actually!

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2014/11/blood-swept-lands-and-seas-of-red/100851/

Fourth Grade Field Trip to the Smart Museum of Art!

During the last week of October, all of my fourth grade students walked to the Smart to view and experience the Carved, Cast, Crumpled: Sculpture All Ways exhibition. It will be running until the end of December. Both groups had a wonderful time and were able to have deep conversations and rich dialog about the art and the new Gallery X space. Thanks to Joe's dad, Marc for the pictures!

Conceptual Art Installations!

What is Conceptual Art? In art class, the 3rd graders have been figuring out important parts of art making and art production including conceptual art. Conceptual art is not so much about the art itself, but the statement or message that comes out of the artwork. We've looked at artists like Damien Hirst, Felix Gonzales-Torres, Christo, and Jesus Rafael Soto. We've also been exploring the ideas behind Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), For the love of God, and various light installations. Students then had only two class periods to come up with their own conceptual art projects and install them around the school. They are located throughout Blaine Hall on all four floors!

First Unit for 4th Grade! A series of 8 self portraits!

For the first unit of the school year, we had a blast exploring different styles, mediums, and ways to create self portraits through a series of eight portraits. #1 was done with no direction, a pre-test of sorts. #2 Realistic. #3 Abstract. #4 Unconventional. #5 Cultural. #6 Emotional. #7 Grid. #8 Wild-Card (artist-choice). We studied techniques and artists such as Chuck Close, Tom Mosser, Warhol, Johannes Vermeer, Frida Kahlo, Cindy Sherman, Vivian Meier, and Wain Cats. They are stunning! They are hanging up on the second floor of Blaine Hall!

First Unit for 3rd Grade! Mixed Media Self Portraits!

The first unit of the school year was an exploration into self portraits through a variety of three mediums: Oil pastels/markers/crayons/colored pencils, Collage (torn or cut paper pasted together), and Graphite/Charcoal. We studied the works of Romare Bearden and the Harlem Renaissance when doing collage! They were so successful, and I'm excited to have them up all over Blaine Hall! Here are some examples of a few that are hanging up on the 2nd floor!