MESSAGES IN ART

Introduction

Narrative description:  This unit is designed to show students that People around the world and throughout time have found ways to communicate with one another through messages. Art is a powerful way for people to send messages. Artworks are like words and gestures; They convey meaning, and people use them to communicate. Understanding the message is not always easy, we need to consider the culture and historical context of the art works in order to receive the message. Artist use visual ways to communicate. Throughout history, they have use images to tell stories, to persuade others and to tell about the beauty in the world. Like poets or writers, who use combinations of words, artists create combinations of visual imagery to sent their messages to their audience.

Understanding goals

Can people send messages through art?

 Related CA Standards: 1.0 Artistic Perception, 2.0 Creative Expression.

SHoM:Observe, Reflect, Express, Understand (Art) World

How can people communicate and receive messages through art?

 Related CA Standards: 1.0 Artistic Perception, 2.0 Creative Expression, 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing.

 SHoM: Develop Craft, Engage & Persist, Stretch & Explore, Envision, Express, Understand (Art) World

Can we create a work of art that conveys a message?

 Related CA Standards: 3.0 Historical and Cultural Context.

 SHoM: Reflect, Envision, Express

Instructional sequence

Performances of Understanding

Day 1.

Interpret messages from different works of art.

  -Look at different images and works of art that convey a message. Pay attention to the symbolism of the message and to the historical and cultural implications. What do you see? What is the message?

 - Have students make a list of what they see and have them describe the details they see.

- Ask them to take an inventory of the images, listing such things as subject matter, materials, techniques, colors, lines, shapes and other design elements and organization.

- Students will do a quick sketch drawing in pencil representing the same messages but in their unique way. 

Day 2

You will communicate a message about life in twenty-first century.

-You may show an event important to many people such as a scientific discovery or technology progress, (astronauts building a space station, facebook social network), or a more common and personal event, as your birthday celebration, hobbies, eating habits.

-Using the thing that you thought of, create one symbol to make it unique to Your event.

-You will use mix media and different techniques to create your image. Printmaking, collage, drawing or painting.

-Use the elements of art to create emphasis in your composition.  

Day 3.

  Egyptian style painting.

-Using only symbols communicate a message including the meaning of your name and the things that you love to do.

-Symbols and designs vary from one geographical area to another. Think about your own culture and environment when creating your symbol, (ocean, forest, city buildings etc)

Day 4.

 Making a mask that sends a message about an imaginary identity.

-Observe and describe design in various African masks.

-Reflect and research the purpose those masks may have had considering the cultural context they were created in.

-Think about what purpose and message your mask will convey.  Your mask may have many levels of meaning and a variety of uses.

Teaching planing and materials

Prepare visual presentation.

Image 1,  Keith Haring, Icons

Image 2, Frida Kahlo, The litter deer.

Image 3, Kathe Kollvitz. Seed for sowing shall not be ground.

Egyptian art images.

African masks.

Ongoing Assessments

·       Discuss findings with the entire class.

·       Observe, reflect, express.

·       Student’s participation telling what they think is the artwork’s story and message.

Student’s engagement creating a unique and personal drawing expressing the same message as in the studied images.