Education Resources for the Ovation Special René Magritte: The Man in the Hat Grade Level High School Discipline - Visual Arts Materials for teacher - Ovation s Arts Ed Toolkit educational resources http://www.theovationfoundation.org/arts-ed-toolkit/ - Programming clips for Ovation s Special René Magritte: The Man in the Hat - Visual arts activities Note: It is recommended that teachers view all program clips and art images contained in these activities prior to using the resources in class. Standards National Core Arts Standards Visual Arts High School Activities and resources contained in this document support the areas of: - Responding - Connecting Note: For additional information about these Standards, we encourage you to visit the National Art Education Association website. Overview of Resources Students will gain understanding of a particular art movement, surrealism, and of noted surrealist artists, their styles, techniques and influencers. The students will view selected footage from a program, focusing primarily on one noted European surrealist artist of the 20 th century. Page 1
Activities 2 days, 45 minute classes Students will explore the artworks and designs of noted surrealist artists. They will explore themes, artistic styles and compositions in addition to exploring paintings and techniques, materials and colors used in particular artists creations. Students will view select footage from a program, and will discuss and make notes about various aspects of the programming segments. Supplies for use in Activities computers with Internet access White Board, or laptop computer, screen and speakers journals in binder format Program clips from Ovation s Special, René Magritte: The Man in the Hat Activity Day 1 Class work The teacher will show students selected program clips of the Ovation Special, René Magritte: The Man in the Hat. Each clip is approximately two to three minutes in length. The teacher may decide to stream some or all the program clips. After viewing each clip it is suggested that the teacher engage the students in a discussion, utilizing some or all of the discussion points listed below. The teacher will ask students to make notes in their binders about ideas, styles, artworks and techniques, in addition to other related issues highlighted in the program clips. CLIP 1 - As you view the image of René Magritte s surrealist artwork of the dove in the sky, discuss three emotions you believe this image, with its colors, textures and composition convey. - Do you agree or disagree with the word summed up by the narrator about this painting, that he found it to be an image of hope? - As you view the painting by Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory, discuss the overall composition and the various dripping watches depicted. Discuss the reference made by the narrator to dreams and nightmares. - Also included in the program segment is Magritte s painting Empire of Light. The narrator describes Magritte s style as the quiet surrealist. In your opinion, as you assess this painting, do you agree or disagree that it evokes the style of a quiet surrealist? If so, or if not, discuss the various artistic elements of the artwork the composition, light and dark values, and other related attributes. Page 2
CLIP 2 - From what you observe, do you agree with the statements made here, that Magritte was full of contradictions, and that he was a subversive in suburbia? If so, or if not, expand on your opinions. - Observe the small, simple, neutral colored rooms where Magritte painted his artworks. In your opinion, how might these surroundings have aligned with a surrealist of Magritte s nature? - Observe as the narrator sits before Magritte s easel. He states that he is thinking about what Magritte would have been doing. Look at the painting displayed and discuss the attributes of this artwork. - In the end of this program clip, the guide states her assessment of the space, saying it s not so very comfortable for an artist. From what you observe of this work environment, do you agree or disagree with this statement, in particular as it relates to René Magritte? Expand on your opinion. CLIP 3 - Magritte says here I want to breathe new life into the way we look at the ordinary things around us, like a child, the first time it encounters the reality outside of itself. Focus on the meaning of this quote as you view various images in this program clip. - Observe the paintings featured in this portion of the program clip, the eye with clouds inside it; the shaving brush, comb and other common household items filling an entire room. In your opinion, are there common traits of the compositions you are viewing? If so, or if not, describe them. - Follow this program sequence as the narrator ventures into the cemetery that once held fascination for the young Magritte. Observe and discuss the objects, symbols, colors and textures shown in the cemetery excursion. In your opinion, how might these visions and experiences have influenced the creative spirit in Magritte s early years? Page 3
Activity Day 2 Class work The teacher will show students selected program clips of the Ovation Special, René Magritte: The Man in the Hat. Each clip is approximately two to three minutes in length. The teacher may decide to stream some or all the program clips. After viewing each clip it is suggested that the teacher engage the students in a discussion, utilizing some or all of the discussion points listed below. The teacher will ask students to make notes in their binders about ideas, styles, artworks and techniques, in addition to other related issues highlighted in the program clips. CLIP 4 - Magritte stated that for him painting indeed had very little to do with everyday life. Knowing the types of images he incorporated into his surrealist paintings, how do you reconcile this statement made by Magritte? - Observe Magritte as he is shown painting, dressed in a suit. What are three words you would use to describe an artist who painted wearing a suit? - Magritte s wife Georgette is described here as a simple but complicated woman. Further, it is stated that she was magical and she was Magritte s muse. As you contemplate these statements about her, can you make a connection of Georgette s personal traits to the artistic style of René Magritte? CLIP 5 - As you observe the painting The Song of Love by Giorgio de Chirico, discuss the overall composition, the objects, colors, texture and perspective in this painting. - It is stated here that Magritte realized that what is important in painting is the idea rather than the form. As you observe his artwork The Lost Jockey, discuss in your opinion the idea being explored and conveyed in this artwork. - As you continue to observe Magritte s paintings, focus on the images of the pipe, and the relevance of this every day object moving into the Magritte world. - Continue to explore and discuss the images and compositions of the surrealist paintings contained in this segment. As you analyze these compositions, do you agree or disagree that Magritte placed objects in situations where we never encounter it? Continue to discuss this aspect of his artwork, as it relates to the paintings in this program segment. Page 4
- Following Magritte s first one-man exhibition of 61 works of art, it is stated that the critics hated them. One reviewer wrote What is one to say of these pretentious canvases, devoid of any link with the living world.? As you assess the compositions and objects in Magritte s paintings, would you agree or disagree with the statement made by this critic? Expand on your opinion. CLIP 6 - Here we observe the significance of the bowler hat in Magritte s paintings. Discuss the various ways in which he depicted this object. Take into consideration Magritte s intention of inserting an everyday object into his artistic compositions. He incorporated this object of a bowler hat into several different paintings. In your opinion, was this an effective object to use repeatedly in various compositions? If so, or if not, expand on your opinion. - In this program segment we learn about and observe three paintings for which Magritte was commissioned by Edward James to paint. Discuss the artistic aspects of each of these artworks. Use singular words to describe the overall effect of each of the artworks. #### Assessment for these activities, to be determined by the teacher Page 5