Big Idea 3 & 4

Concept Map: Potential Model Artists for My Big Idea "Love"

 

Blog Entry #2

   This MUMAA artwork contains the big idea's of power, struggle, fate, fear, and most importantly, story. Myth has it that Lacoon (center) was killed after attempting to expose the ruse of the Trojan horse. The snakes were sent by Posiedon to put an end to both Lacoon and his two sons. As outlandishly intriguing as this sounds, I think I would have to run with the big idea of story for this particular piece.
   Using this artwork and the story behind it as an example, I would ask my Tiger Artists to develop a myth of thier own that involves two or three characters. The myth could be about themselves or another person or animal. I would then have the students create thier own mini-sculptures depicting a scene from their myth, keeping in mind the essential questions asked and key concepts discussed.
   Essential questions would include: What can body language and facial expression tell us about the way the characters are feeling? Why do you think the artist chose to depict this exact moment in the story? How does the scale of the figures let us know which one is Lacoon, the main character?
   Key concepts would include: Character (Who are the characters?), mood (How does this artwork make you as the viewer feel when gazing?), tension (What do you think is about to happen next and how does that create tension?), Plot (Do we need to know the backstory for this piece to be meaningful?)

Big Idea Box, pg. 1 & 2

"Journey Map" Artist's Statement

     I was born into a house of glass, sharp words and broken hearts. Over time I built a thick shell of hatred and numerous unhealthy coping mechanisms to keep me safe from the world and all who might seek to hurt me. I lived in this shell for most of my remembered life, never thinking that there might be something more beyond that barrier. The path to freedom was long and winding, filled with many stubborn obstacles and painful transitions. I will always and forever celebrate the day that shell broke away. Hope was born. Life became a whirlwind of confusion and exciting new possibilities as the search for purpose intensified. Meaning began to grow out of years of misery and decay; slowly but surely I began to feel myself blossoming into the person I was always meant to be. The key for which I had been searching so desperately was right there inside me the whole time! And just like that, life became a mission. Everything happens for a reason. I believe that I went through that hell so that one day I would be equipped to bring hope to to those traveling the same road, pointing each one towards a brighter tomorrow for us all. Long after I am gone I want the world to be a better place for my having existed. It is my most sincere desire that my students be inspired to set off a chain reaction of their own to work toward this same goal.

Journey Map

Blog Entry #1

I believe that art is a gateway into the human soul, a mysterious wonderland of endless possibilities. It is the only subject still taught in our schools that cannot (and should not) be taught by the books. So many 21st century art teachers like to go by the very basic "7 elements" and "7 principles" to which Olivia Guide refers in her article about postmodern principles... My 8th grade art teacher did it, and so did my Freshman and Sophomore teachers in high school art class. As an artist, I despised it. Sure the curriculum was easy. Anybody who wanted an A could have one. But if your not challenged it is impossible to grow. Every art class I ever took in within the K-12 period was heartbreakingly dumbed down, lacking in depth, and bereft of perspective. We never discussed ground-breaking artists from whom we might draw some much needed inspiration. The concept of "big ideas" and how they can be connected and personalized for individual works of art was absolutely unheard of. In the beginning of my collegiate pursuit of this career, I vowed to never be that art teacher. Teaching visual art is so much more than cut and dry principles and elements, and to simplify it to such is a discredit to the subject. Not that these things aren't important... They do serve as timeless building blocks upon which we will always be able to fall back. However, art is an exploratory matter by nature and deserves to be pushed to the next level. To be an effective teacher, I will need to have extensive knowledge of the dynamics of the art world and its past, present, and future. I will need to be very familiar with my example artists and thier big ideas, and I will have to be able to make the subject matter real to my students by presenting it in a way that they can relate to. I will see evidence of my effectiveness as a teacher through the art my students produce, the questions they ask, and the look in thier eyes. There's is an entire universe of beauty, inspiration and understanding just waiting to be unlocked through the fine arts, and a knowledgeable, responsive teacher is the key. It's good to know that 21st century professionals hold the same opinion. It is my duty to every child placed in my care to be this key, and I can't wait to get started!