Watch a modern day father-son team of Tsimshian Indians (from Alaska) make and share an authentic wooden totem pole - via the National Museum of the American Indian. What stands out to you about how they make/think about their work?

 

The secret to Picasso's genius was creating work with the playfulness and experimental attitude of a young child - making lines little by little and letting each line tell him what to draw/paint/sculpt next. Do you like what your artwork looks like now or would you prefer it to look more "realistic"? Why?

Take a minute to look at a few of Picasso's famous works - several of which you can see in person in Chicago

7th GRADE - 208

Want to see how the European continent has changed over the last 1,000 years?

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE CHANGING BORDERS/COLORS

What might cause new countries/empires to rise and fall throughout history?

What might happen to a country's art when it is invaded or changes rulers?

1st GRADE - 111/105

7th GRADE - 210

 

Cartography  (the art/science of making maps) is nearly as old as recorded human history - the oldest known map dating back to around 7000 B.C.E. While the precision and detail of maps has greatly improved over time thanks to improved technology (satellites imagery, G.P.S., etc.), the purpose of maps has largely remained the same - to help people find their way and label important geographic/man-made features. Today's cartographers (whether professionals or hobbyists) explore new ways of personalizing their maps and the areas they visually represent.

How might you visually represent your neighborhood without using any features of "traditional" maps (street names, labeling, key, etc.)?

  

Sound Artist Stephen Vitiello captured the sounds of New York City from the 91st floor of one of the World Trade Center towers in 1999 - just two years before the September 11th attacks that would bring the towers down. For the twelfth anniversary of that day we reflect back on his work and the unique experience it captures.

You can listen to the sounds recorded and the thoughts of Vitiello at the following link: http://www.studio360.org/2011/sep/02/the-sounds-of-the-world-trade-center/

 

"Rest Energy" (performance) by Marina Abramovic & Ulay

**DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME**

As we begin the school year and decide on our new classroom rules, let us all remember the meaning of TRUST. How might TRUST in the art classroom be like the very dangerous performance seen in the above video? Please note: the heavy, distressed breathing and rapid heartbeat heard in the video is that of Ulay, the gentleman with his hand on a ready-to-fire arrow pointed at his life and performance partner, Marina.

Background Image: "Turquoise Marilyn" by Andy Warhol

 STUDENTS WILL USE THIS WEBSITE TO:

- Document and discuss their artwork

- See the work of fellow Lee Students & 

"Sister School" Students around the world

- Find & discuss inspirational resources

& famous/iconic/contemporary works of art

- Learn the important role of networking &

communication for artists and art lovers

- Find out about art events in the Chicagoland area