This virtual space is an extension of AEAH 3770 Computer Art Applications and will be used to record class discussions and ongoing conservations relating to the course.
I always really liked the photography projects we were assigned in Design classes. For example, Finding the alphabet in nature/outside world/in other objects without actually it being the letter. Any rules could apply except using actual text or words (i.e. no signs, stores, logos, etc). For instance the letter "r" could be a water faucet or two parking spaces could represent an H. Finding A-Z and taking pictures of each found letter - it was really cool to see how the class interpreted the instructions since it was left so open. Everyone's idea of the project was different so the final results of each project were diverse. A lot of the time representations of other objects can be found in nature if we just think outside the box. Thinking creatively in this kind of project example can help students think critically.
a great way to inspire critical thinking is through a TASK party, or for a classroom maybe just using TASK ideas. An example of one of the TASKs a participant would be asked to preform would be like "Using whatever materials you can find, create a headpiece that exemplifies your importance. Wear it for the remainder of the party"
Here is a link to the wiki explanation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TASK_party
Here is a link to the TASK site: http://taskparty.tumblr.com/
Explore color relationships -- looking for those that evoke certain emotions such as anger, love, sweetness, tartness, etc.
Have students represent the relationships in their own family by using abstractly shaped pieces of painted paper that they paint and cut.
When finished, another student has to attempt an interpretation.
Since no families are perfect, a follow-up assignment can be a variation on the first where an imagined idealized family is composed by the same method.
Compare the two pieces and discuss the different color relationships used and the emotional response they can have.
Students could create a piece of art without using the hands or fingers. For example, they could use their bodies, feet or mouths. Think about people who are handicapped that create art everyday and how do they do it? This idea might take the pressure off creating a piece of "perfect" art and allow the students to create something they may not have done normally because of the pencil in their hand.
Students could do an experiment of creating a work of art blindfolded. Have a multiple number of media options and large butcher paper. The sense of feel and concentration would be the most important. It would be a good experience to create a work of art using only their mind and motor skills, when you take sight away from art creation, it throws everyone for a loop and they no longer rely on their prime mode of being able to see what they're doing.
I've always wanted to do an assignment that I did in typography 1. The students would be assigned a word that they have to write in a way that describes the word itself. Using different textures and materials ink, the students can create visually striking words that show the aesthetics associated with it. An example would be pressing flowers in ink and making lines and shapes to create the word "bloom". It can challenge students to think about what people associate with their word and how they can present it in a way that makes sense. Infection Example: http://i.imgur.com/DpS6C.jpg Vacant Example: http://i.imgur.com/3ctW3.jpg
Create a contour line drawing using found objects. They are not allowed to use any drawing or painting utensils. It can be a mixture of different found items or just one type. They can choose any object to depict and the class will critique it in the end and decide if they did a good job at depicting the object or not. To add to the project, you could make the students only choose objects that relate somehow to the object they chose.
If you have access to a motion camera of some kind have the students produce a video that is a self portrait. The video cannot contain any spoken english or realistic images of the artist. Anything else goes.
I think a great example of something to get kids out of their comfort zones is to have them use items to create shadow artworks. You can tailor this to any group or class, and make it personal by having them: do a self portrait of who they feel they used to be, create a message about themselves or the world around them, etc.
You could have them bring in an object and then have them use that object to create their shadow art, you could have them create a drawing or painting or any other thing and translate that to shadows; there's a proliferation of options students have that can expand their creativity.
Students can make statements about their bjects usng the shadows, or talk about things in the past using the shadows, etc.
A great project that utilizes critical thinking is psychological self portraits. These portraits could utilize any media from drawing and painting to audio, video, or performance, and doesn't even have to be of their physical self. Instead of trying to portray a realistic depiction of how they look as with traditional self portraits, the portrait is of anything that defines them as a person.
I remember in my high school sculpture class, for the final exam, the instructor assigned us a critical thinking project in which we were to build a sculture using only a sheet of cardstock paper and scissors. Any other medium such as adhesive was not allowed. If this could be applied to computer art by limiting a student with meduims, students will feel more inclined to think critically and creatively.
I think my favorite sort of critical thinking assignment I've ever done were the ones where we would be given a shape or squiggle, and would have to add to it to form a complete picture,and then write a story to go with it.
I think that having your students create an artwork made out of trash or recycled products would be a great project to get their minds going and thinking of creative ways to use materials that are usually thrown away. I remember in my design 2 class our professor assigned a project where we had to create a design made out of trash only. After our projects were finished it was very interesting to see what types of trash people used and what design that came up with using their thrown away materials. This one project has inspired me to use recycled products in my own artwork and exposed me to different materials that you can use in art.
One of my favorite things to create are assemblages. It is a great way to show your creativity by using objects or "junk" found around the house or trinkets available in thrift stores and garage sales. By using objects cast away to the garage or the kitchen junk drawer and even old electrical wires can make interesting unique pieces.
An Critical Thinking Art Activity that can be used in the classroom, can be looking at contemporary and modern art, and try to figure out how it was created. What medium was used and techniques are used in the piece. Then have the students try to incorporate the skill into their own work.
in elementary school, i cant recall what grade, but we made construction paper weaved place mats, i did not think i was ever going to see that again, but i ended up seeing it all over the place, I ve always been the person to actually look at fibers in blankets and stuff like that , but when i got into design school, i understood warp and weft of fabric because of that one little activity
In Elementary school, I really liked a project that we did where we had to construct a type of boat or structure completely out of food or biodegradable materials. It also had to float because after we were done, we took them down the the creek behind the school and put them in one by one. My teacher said that they would be great food for the raccoons and other animals that lived there. It is a great way to learn about the different materials that are edible and biodegradable and how to connect them without using glue. I think it's also a good way to teach kids to create art that won't be a danger to their environment.
I believe that kinetic art would encourage students to think critically as well as experiment with different and unique concepts that go beyond traditional art making. Through kinetic art, students will be forced to think critically to form their concept around viewer interaction. Simple kinetic art would involve a hand crank system where students will make a sculpture (out of paper, wood, found objects) that would involve a hand crank so that their concept is fully interpreted when the viewer engages with the piece.
I think an interesting activity could be to first list items that are visual. then we could hold a group discussion on what we would consider, from the list, art and Visual Culture. Finally we could switch the subject to what is visual but not Visual Culture. The point is to emphasis the astounding presence of Visual Culture in everyday life.
I've always seen photo mosaics and thought it would be an interesting way to challenge technical skills to try to create one. I would have my students pick an art piece they have done that they connect with and have them piece together other computer images that are relevant in some way to the selected initial image, and have them try to piece it together as close as possible to the original image.
In high school, my final project in art 1 was to create a work that represented myself (however abstractly). The medium was left up to the student, and our teacher encouraged us experimenting with mixing mediums/using new ones. It was very interesting what all my classmates came up with - from clay sculptures to found objects to collages. One of my favourite projects of the year.
a criticle thinking project could be to create a new sculpture using only found objects.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI always really liked the photography projects we were assigned in Design classes. For example, Finding the alphabet in nature/outside world/in other objects without actually it being the letter. Any rules could apply except using actual text or words (i.e. no signs, stores, logos, etc). For instance the letter "r" could be a water faucet or two parking spaces could represent an H. Finding A-Z and taking pictures of each found letter - it was really cool to see how the class interpreted the instructions since it was left so open. Everyone's idea of the project was different so the final results of each project were diverse. A lot of the time representations of other objects can be found in nature if we just think outside the box. Thinking creatively in this kind of project example can help students think critically.
ReplyDeletea great way to inspire critical thinking is through a TASK party, or for a classroom maybe just using TASK ideas. An example of one of the TASKs a participant would be asked to preform would be like "Using whatever materials you can find, create a headpiece that exemplifies your importance. Wear it for the remainder of the party"
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to the wiki explanation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TASK_party
Here is a link to the TASK site:
http://taskparty.tumblr.com/
Explore color relationships -- looking for those that evoke certain emotions such as anger, love, sweetness, tartness, etc.
ReplyDeleteHave students represent the relationships in their own family by using abstractly shaped pieces of painted paper that they paint and cut.
When finished, another student has to attempt an interpretation.
Since no families are perfect, a follow-up assignment can be a variation on the first where an imagined idealized family is composed by the same method.
Compare the two pieces and discuss the different color relationships used and the emotional response they can have.
Students could create a piece of art without using the hands or fingers. For example, they could use their bodies, feet or mouths. Think about people who are handicapped that create art everyday and how do they do it? This idea might take the pressure off creating a piece of "perfect" art and allow the students to create something they may not have done normally because of the pencil in their hand.
ReplyDeleteStudents could do an experiment of creating a work of art blindfolded. Have a multiple number of media options and large butcher paper. The sense of feel and concentration would be the most important. It would be a good experience to create a work of art using only their mind and motor skills, when you take sight away from art creation, it throws everyone for a loop and they no longer rely on their prime mode of being able to see what they're doing.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to do an assignment that I did in typography 1. The students would be assigned a word that they have to write in a way that describes the word itself. Using different textures and materials ink, the students can create visually striking words that show the aesthetics associated with it. An example would be pressing flowers in ink and making lines and shapes to create the word "bloom". It can challenge students to think about what people associate with their word and how they can present it in a way that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteInfection Example: http://i.imgur.com/DpS6C.jpg
Vacant Example: http://i.imgur.com/3ctW3.jpg
Create a contour line drawing using found objects. They are not allowed to use any drawing or painting utensils. It can be a mixture of different found items or just one type. They can choose any object to depict and the class will critique it in the end and decide if they did a good job at depicting the object or not. To add to the project, you could make the students only choose objects that relate somehow to the object they chose.
ReplyDeleteIf you have access to a motion camera of some kind have the students produce a video that is a self portrait. The video cannot contain any spoken english or realistic images of the artist. Anything else goes.
ReplyDeleteI think a great example of something to get kids out of their comfort zones is to have them use items to create shadow artworks. You can tailor this to any group or class, and make it personal by having them: do a self portrait of who they feel they used to be, create a message about themselves or the world around them, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou could have them bring in an object and then have them use that object to create their shadow art, you could have them create a drawing or painting or any other thing and translate that to shadows; there's a proliferation of options students have that can expand their creativity.
Students can make statements about their bjects usng the shadows, or talk about things in the past using the shadows, etc.
The possibilities are endless!
Follows are examples:
http://www.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/kumi_yamashita_02.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jW0fHcfb-L4/SW4iN5Y4E0I/AAAAAAAAKaM/-HMn9FALWME/s400/shadow_art_11.jpg
http://cdn1.lostateminor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Eerdeken-shadow-art-2.jpg
More on the shadow Art:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.designer-daily.com/remarkable-shadow-art-405
http://cdn2.lostateminor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Eerdeken-shadow-art.jpg
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/incredible-shadow-art-created-from-junk/12265
A great project that utilizes critical thinking is psychological self portraits. These portraits could utilize any media from drawing and painting to audio, video, or performance, and doesn't even have to be of their physical self. Instead of trying to portray a realistic depiction of how they look as with traditional self portraits, the portrait is of anything that defines them as a person.
ReplyDeleteI remember in my high school sculpture class, for the final exam, the instructor assigned us a critical thinking project in which we were to build a sculture using only a sheet of cardstock paper and scissors. Any other medium such as adhesive was not allowed. If this could be applied to computer art by limiting a student with meduims, students will feel more inclined to think critically and creatively.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite sort of critical thinking assignment I've ever done were the ones where we would be given a shape or squiggle, and would have to add to it to form a complete picture,and then write a story to go with it.
ReplyDeleteI think that having your students create an artwork made out of trash or recycled products would be a great project to get their minds going and thinking of creative ways to use materials that are usually thrown away. I remember in my design 2 class our professor assigned a project where we had to create a design made out of trash only. After our projects were finished it was very interesting to see what types of trash people used and what design that came up with using their thrown away materials. This one project has inspired me to use recycled products in my own artwork and exposed me to different materials that you can use in art.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things to create are assemblages. It is a great way to show your creativity by using objects or "junk" found around the house or trinkets available in thrift stores and garage sales. By using objects cast away to the garage or the kitchen junk drawer and even old electrical wires can make interesting unique pieces.
ReplyDeleteExamples
http://www.brucegray.com/htmlfolder/html_subpages/assemble2.html
http://karenswhimsy.com/reliquaries/queensgames/
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/theresa.html
An Critical Thinking Art Activity that can be used in the classroom, can be looking at contemporary and modern art, and try to figure out how it was created. What medium was used and techniques are used in the piece. Then have the students try to incorporate the skill into their own work.
ReplyDeletein elementary school, i cant recall what grade, but we made construction paper weaved place mats, i did not think i was ever going to see that again, but i ended up seeing it all over the place, I ve always been the person to actually look at fibers in blankets and stuff like that , but when i got into design school, i understood warp and weft of fabric because of that one little activity
ReplyDeleteIn Elementary school, I really liked a project that we did where we had to construct a type of boat or structure completely out of food or biodegradable materials. It also had to float because after we were done, we took them down the the creek behind the school and put them in one by one. My teacher said that they would be great food for the raccoons and other animals that lived there. It is a great way to learn about the different materials that are edible and biodegradable and how to connect them without using glue. I think it's also a good way to teach kids to create art that won't be a danger to their environment.
ReplyDeleteI believe that kinetic art would encourage students to think critically as well as experiment with different and unique concepts that go beyond traditional art making. Through kinetic art, students will be forced to think critically to form their concept around viewer interaction. Simple kinetic art would involve a hand crank system where students will make a sculpture (out of paper, wood, found objects) that would involve a hand crank so that their concept is fully interpreted when the viewer engages with the piece.
ReplyDeletehttp://automataart.co.uk/default.aspx
http://tomhaney.com/portfolio.htm
I think an interesting activity could be to first list items that are visual. then we could hold a group discussion on what we would consider, from the list, art and Visual Culture. Finally we could switch the subject to what is visual but not Visual Culture. The point is to emphasis the astounding presence of Visual Culture in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteA critical thinking art activity could be having students make an interactive art piece.
ReplyDeleteI've always seen photo mosaics and thought it would be an interesting way to challenge technical skills to try to create one. I would have my students pick an art piece they have done that they connect with and have them piece together other computer images that are relevant in some way to the selected initial image, and have them try to piece it together as close as possible to the original image.
ReplyDeleteexamples of the types of photo mosaics
http://richardwiseman.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/illusion-mosaic-1.jpg
http://www.lomont.org/Software/Utilities/PhotoMosaic/BigWeddingMosaic.jpg
http://amazingdata.com/mediadata12/Image/amazing_fun_weird_cool_horse-gift-mural-lewis-lavoie_200907240600212815.jpg
In high school, my final project in art 1 was to create a work that represented myself (however abstractly). The medium was left up to the student, and our teacher encouraged us experimenting with mixing mediums/using new ones. It was very interesting what all my classmates came up with - from clay sculptures to found objects to collages. One of my favourite projects of the year.
ReplyDeleteI hate thinking critically!!!!! you're so demanding!!!!! :)
ReplyDelete