CELEBRATIONS
Studio #1: Clay Finger Puppets
For this studio, we received inspiration from artist Nick Cave's soundsuits that are resemble costumes worn in celebrations or celebrate something about the performer when they wear them. We were asked to create a finger puppet that celebrates something about ourselves that we love. I chose to celebrate my role as an aunt to my niece Mackynzie. I pulled my hair back in a ponytail to show how relaxed and fun our time is together. My shirt helps the viewer understand the element I chose to celebrate and I added a beaded necklace to represent all of the things Kynz makes for her Aunt Bah. The beads serve a duel purpose as a celebratory sound as well and ring of childlike happiness.
The connections to the theme of celebrations are pretty obvious from this studio but it was interesting to learn about a different kind of celebration. Normally, you would think a party or event that celebrates an achievement and in my mind I see the decorations and food and guests all around. This celebration was more personal, more about finding something within yourself that you are proud of and want to share with others. By depicting myself as the element I wanted to celebrate, it felt more relevant and meaningful than just the actual element. It was kind of a way to see one version of myself, one that I especially love.
In my future classroom, making finger puppets would be a very cool thing in many different lessons. I would have my students make puppets of historical figures or people they view as leaders, heroes, or inspiration and then present to the class their visual model. It would also be interesting to see students create finger puppets of themselves in a job they think they might want in the future. Students seeing themselves in new roles or occupations they dream of doing would make their dreams more meaningful and real, like our celebrations of self did for us.
The connections to the theme of celebrations are pretty obvious from this studio but it was interesting to learn about a different kind of celebration. Normally, you would think a party or event that celebrates an achievement and in my mind I see the decorations and food and guests all around. This celebration was more personal, more about finding something within yourself that you are proud of and want to share with others. By depicting myself as the element I wanted to celebrate, it felt more relevant and meaningful than just the actual element. It was kind of a way to see one version of myself, one that I especially love.
In my future classroom, making finger puppets would be a very cool thing in many different lessons. I would have my students make puppets of historical figures or people they view as leaders, heroes, or inspiration and then present to the class their visual model. It would also be interesting to see students create finger puppets of themselves in a job they think they might want in the future. Students seeing themselves in new roles or occupations they dream of doing would make their dreams more meaningful and real, like our celebrations of self did for us.
Studio #2: 21st Century Magazine Cover
The magazine cover at right was inspired by the work of Norman Rockwell whose paintings celebrated change, tradition, and the everyday in America. I chose to do a baseball cover because I find the sport in a very interesting position today in our country. It has always been called "America's Pastime" and yet I feel as if Americans are moving more away from the sport at times. This cover celebrates America in both its traditions and its change. My subheadings were chosen as "stories" that could be taken from the subject of baseball. It is ever-evolving and yet grasping to its roots, just like I feel the United States and its people are doing a lot.
The big idea of celebrations is reflected similarly as it was in the first studio. It isn't a party full of guests, it's about finding qualities in something and celebrating what it's all about. I find the game of baseball reflects our country in all of its traditions, evolution, and mix of heartbreak and excitement. Celebrating where we've been is important to where we are going.
Making magazine covers is a great way for students to learn about different forms of writing, media, and elements that make things visually appealing. In my classroom, I would like to use magazine covers as a new way for students to recap and asses what they've learned at the end of a unit. They could also use them to do introductions about themselves to the class and choose a photograph most important to them as their cover. This studio would be a great jumping off point for many future writing pieces in the classroom.
The big idea of celebrations is reflected similarly as it was in the first studio. It isn't a party full of guests, it's about finding qualities in something and celebrating what it's all about. I find the game of baseball reflects our country in all of its traditions, evolution, and mix of heartbreak and excitement. Celebrating where we've been is important to where we are going.
Making magazine covers is a great way for students to learn about different forms of writing, media, and elements that make things visually appealing. In my classroom, I would like to use magazine covers as a new way for students to recap and asses what they've learned at the end of a unit. They could also use them to do introductions about themselves to the class and choose a photograph most important to them as their cover. This studio would be a great jumping off point for many future writing pieces in the classroom.
Studio #3: Artist's Choice
For my final studio of this course, I used inspiration from the artist Miriam Schapiro. Seeing all of the work Miriam did to promote and celebrate women in the arts really stuck with me and made me think of the experiences I have had recently with sexism. I chose to show a young girl with many different possibilities for her. It is very important for me to show the young girls (and boys) in my classroom that gender has nothing to do with how we think or what we are capable of. I included images from so many different things to show that anything is possible for girls, no matter what people may say.
I chose to connect my artist's choice to the big idea of celebrations but also on a more personal level. Celebrating what we are capable of and what we can do is very important. Through this entire unit, I've learned that celebrating every day things and characteristics about ourselves is just as important as the events and decorations and guests.
The idea of an artist's choice would be a really great opportunity for students in my future classroom. I'd love to see what student's are passionate about and able to create when given an open window. Oftentimes, students aren't given much choice in their normal classrooms and it's really important for them to learn about their own opinions and skills. This could be incorporated into a specific subject, allowing them to complete a summative assessment of their choice using artistic representations.
I chose to connect my artist's choice to the big idea of celebrations but also on a more personal level. Celebrating what we are capable of and what we can do is very important. Through this entire unit, I've learned that celebrating every day things and characteristics about ourselves is just as important as the events and decorations and guests.
The idea of an artist's choice would be a really great opportunity for students in my future classroom. I'd love to see what student's are passionate about and able to create when given an open window. Oftentimes, students aren't given much choice in their normal classrooms and it's really important for them to learn about their own opinions and skills. This could be incorporated into a specific subject, allowing them to complete a summative assessment of their choice using artistic representations.