Picasso Head & 8-Textures Assignment

8-textures and Picasso head

Reflection #2: Why Teach Art?

A: Chapter 1 in the text:

When I was reading this chapter in our textbook, there were several interesting points that I came upon. The first point is the section on personal communication and expression. I loved this quote: “The idea that a person can make an individual statement through art-one that brings meaning and pleasure to self and others and that communicates to others-is a powerful rationale. This rationale is all the more poignant in a technologically advanced society in which so much of what we consume is made by unseen hands.” (Emphasis Art, pg. 4) The reason why I liked this so much is because it’s true! So much of what we see in the stores is stamped with “Made in China” that it is hard to appreciate something that is made by your own hands. However, once a child has the opportunity to actually MAKE something with their own hands, they become protective of their work, and want to preserve it at all costs. They take pride in what they’ve done, even if it means defending it.

The second point I’d like to make was found when reading the Literacy and Cognition section. The quote found on this page I liked very much: “Children know that the arts are media for expression and communication, even at a time when their verbal skills are not fully developed or refined.” (Emphasis Art, pg. 6) The reason why I liked this quote is because I can relate to it. My daughter is 2 ½ and recently started drawing more “real” pictures instead of just scribbles. One of the techniques that her speech therapist suggested is to have her draw and tell us about her pictures. So now, when we draw, she will tell me all about her picture, and I am generally amazed at the imagination and detail she has in her drawings, at 2 ½. Back to the subject on hand, I believe that children know that drawing and other art forms are forms of expression. The children I work with generally calm down after we do art projects. They are able to do something that that are ALL good at, and they are able to express themselves in the way THEY want to.

The third interesting point I found when I was reading about the different art approaches. I found that I implement the media approach quite often with my Boys & Girls Club kids. I like to have them use different mediums, and to experience things other than just drawing a picture. For instance, a few weeks ago, I had them create their own books. I gave each kid a piece of cardboard. We gesso’d it, had them paint it, and then had them paint their covers on. They drew pictures for the book, and we bound it together with ribbon. They turned out really nice, and they loved it!

B: The Arts and the Creation of Mind by Elliot Eisner (Chapter 4)

I liked the point made on page 2 of this document, where the document was talking about how as teachers we sometimes take over the student’s project, and “in this process the teacher takes over the role of art director responsible for making the aesthetic decisions, and the student takes over the role of technician who executes the decisions made by the teacher.” I think that as teachers, (or future teachers) we want to help our students learn as much as we possibly can. Because of this, we have a hard time letting go of the reins, and letting the child lead.

The next interesting point is found on page 7, where it talks about imagination. “One important feature of the arts is that they provide not only permission but also encouragement to use one’s imagination as a source of content.” I found that this was quite an important concept. I have always been a big believer of using your imagination. Too many adults think that using your imagination is considered “immature.” However, I think that not enough people are actively using their imaginations! In art, you have no time to be “mature.” Use your imagination and see where it takes you! I always tell my work kids to explore what their imagination is telling them to do. If you want to paint a purple cow, do it! Teaching your children to use their imagination in more aspects than just art is important as well. Imagination is one of those things that dribble into other areas as well.

C. Champions of Change: The Impact of Arts on Learning (PDF)

This document was kind of hard to understand, but the basic idea I got from it was this: the Arts are important, and they do matter. They help our children’s test scores, and they also improve life for children with low socioeconomic status.

D. Reference #1: http://www.arts-letters.com/education/edupop.html

I found this little website in my search, and it gives 4 reasons to teach art:

1- “Art education provides the foundation for visual perception. It is the ability to recognize and understand images, whether it be found in works of fine art, blueprints, safety symbols or words.” The ability to understand images is needed in more than just art. What is math, than just a bunch of images? What is science? Images.

2- “Art education develops abstract thinking skills. The visual arts combine abstract concepts and concrete materials in order to create, using convergent, divergent, evaluative, and visual thinking skills.” Abstract thinking skills are SO important. There are so many kids who do not have the skills necessary to think about things themselves. Art helps them do that.

3- “Art education provides a connection for knowledge of other people, places and time periods. Art connects their lives and cultures to ours.” Art education ties into the history of government forming, political forming, etc. I like where it says that it connects our lives and cultures.

4- “Art education encourages creative behaviors founded in art skills and knowledge. In order to create, the child will need the use of other subjects; math (pattern), science (color), health (medium), physical education (motor), social studies (technique), music (rhythm), and language arts (read directions, communicate, and understand safety procedures).” I just love this whole paragraph. It is SO true, that art kind of leaks down into other areas of study.

E. Reference #2: http://www.kinderart.com/

I use this website all the time to find fun activities for my work kids. This quote isn’t so much an important thought, but it’s one that I love. One of the creators of this website, Jantje, says, “Let children try. Let children fail. Let children succeed. Give them the freedom and they will create." I LOVE this. I am a firm believer in letting children fail. How are they supposed to grow if we as educators keep them in this perfect little bubble? So you colored the sun teal instead of yellow! So what? So your masterpiece turned into a giant mess? So what! Let them fail, and they will surprise you with what they can do. Give the children wings, and let them test the air.

F. Reference #3: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/articlescribbles7.html

I also use this site as a source for activities for my work kids. I like this quote as well. “All children need a variety of experiences to assist them in exploring their environment. Through art, children learn to value their own uniqueness and to appreciate the individuality of others. The teacher needs to choose art activities of variety which will contribute to all aspects of a child's development.” I agree with this statement so much. I work with the group of kindergarten and first grade students. Some of these students come to us with no idea of the world around them. I recently did a color mixing activity with them, where they got to mix their own paint colors, and then tried to paint with their feet. They absolutely loved it because it was something new and different. I love having the kids work on an art project, and then halfway through the activity, I have them stop what they are doing, and each kid gets to showcase their art. Everyone has to say one nice thing about that person’s art, and we continue what we are doing. In this process, it shows them that everyone is different, and everyone has different opinions, but we are all valid, and are all special and unique.

Reflection #1: What is Art?

What is Art? To me, I agree with the video that we watched. Art is an expression of creativity and imagination. I have always had an open mind when I have thought about art. Art does not have to be createdin order to be considered art. I think that a chain link fence, in an artistic setting, or thousands of fabric flags floating in the breeze, or a bronze cat are as much art as Mona Lisa. I agree with what the video said at the very end, when it was asking whether we should even DRAW a line. Art is so broad, and has so many facets, that it is IMPOSSIBLE to draw a line on what is and is not art.
Reference #1: http://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/artartists/artartists.html
This website brought out the fact that art is not the same today as it was 1,000 years ago. The things that we think of as art, such as pottery, sculpture, etc. were not thought of like that when the object was created. There is also a difference between art and an artist. For many years, an artist was thought to be a craftsman. It was not until the 15th and 16th centuries that an artist was thought to be as important as a poet.
Reference #2:
http://www.philosophytalk.org/pastShows/Art.html
This website talks about the thread that ties art together, which is a similar line of thinking to our textbook, where it was talking about how all female foxes are called, "vixens." An interesting point that this website makes is that, "to be an art object, that object must differ interestingly from others of its kind." This is pretty accurate, in my opinion. In our class discussion, we were talking about how the urinal sculpture is different than urinals hanging in a bathroom. The urinal in a museum is different than the one hanging in a restroom because of how it is displayed. The website argues that all art is beauty, although it may not be pretty.
Reference #3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqf6Q5TrcSo&feature=related
This video says that what matters about art is your intention. If you set out to create something, then it is art, and it is up to someone else to determine if they like it or not. Another view on art is that about getting to the audience, and communicating something. This video proves that there are lots of mediums for art- it does not have to be a sculpture, or a painting, art can be written words, dance, theater, technology, and so many other things!