Northshore School District Lesson & Activity Framework

Transcription

1 Northshore School District Lesson & Activity Framework Element: Three-Dimension Grade: Four Visual Art Objectives: Create: Perceive: Understand: Evaluate: Vocabulary: Print: Make a form that has thickness. See objects from various points of view. Determine ways an artist can encourage our eyes to move around a form. Assess how design affects the appeal of a creation. 3-D, 2-D, monochromatic, complementary colors. Forever Free Artist: Sargent Johnson ( ) Lacquered cloth over wood, 1933 San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Original Size: 36" H x 11 1/2" W x 9 1/2 D (JOHN-sen, SAR-gent) Background: In the San Francisco Chronicle of October 6, 1935, Sergeant Johnson wrote of this sculpture, "I am producing strictly a Negro Art, studying not the culturally mixed Negro of the cities, but the more primitive slave type as existed in this country during the period of slave importation. It is the pure American Negro I am concerned with, aiming to show the natural beauty and dignity in that characteristic lip and that characteristic hair, bearing and manner; and I wish to show this not so much to the White man but to the Negro himself." This was created during the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age when truly American art form, jazz, and the cultural life in Harlem were both intellectual and vital. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of an awareness of Black heritage. This work is considered a symbol for the beauty and dignity of all Black women. Suggested Presentation: What is the basic shape of this sculpture? (a cylinder) Can you stand like this woman? (tall, straight, face tilted up) Does this shape convey pride? Dignity? Can you see an inner strength? How is the woman's head? Does she look determined? Her feet are giving balance to her upright body. The strong cylindrical base is symbolic of her strong, protective will. Her head tilts upward to emphasize her hope for the future: her focal point. Beneath her sheltering arms and her broad, enveloping hands, two children, made more vulnerable by the bareness of their bodies, play in the shadow of her protection. How do the children differ? Is this important? They are a part of her body. Is this significant to the message Johnson wishes to convey? Notice the realistic facial features. Johnson's work is said to

2 convey a calm dignity. This sculpture is of lacquered cloth over wood which are elements of Egyptian sculpture, along with the color and the incised figures. Do these materials add to the power and beauty of Forever Free? Related Project: Folded Paper Sculpture Materials: Monochromatic colors of construction paper (i.e. shades of blue) pre-printed with shapes* (following pages), 8 x 8 squares black tag board, scotch tape, glue, and scissors. Students are to create their own folded paper sculpture by cutting out pre-printed shapes, folding, and gluing them together. (Each student should be given one of each shape.) Have them decorate shapes with markers if desired. (It will be easier to have the students to do the decorate before folding.) Put shapes together using glue or tape. When all 3-D pieces are constructed, have students design their own sculpture on their tag board square. Experiment with placement and assembling. Once students are satisfied with their arrangement, glue pieces in place. Variation: Student s individual shapes are put with the others in a giant group sculpture by gluing or taping them together. Construct as many shapes as desired. Each student places his/her own shapes where they think best. As many shapes as they wish can be constructed. Encourage them to give some thought to how the large shape is developing and plan the colors. Remind them that the sculpture will be walked around and viewed from all vantage points. A large piece of heavy cardboard would make a good base for this sculpture. Option: Aluminum cans and hot glue gun. Follow Up: Does your sculpture represent weight, emotion, or movement? Does it have a focal point? Walk around the sculpture and talk about how it works as an appealing sculpture. Where could it be displayed?

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