Professional product designers the Bressler Group started with the question "What if we started from scratch with all the unique United States state flags to make them have a matching color scheme and simpler overall design?" The resulting flags included a transformation of our own likeable state flag from

THIS:

 

to THIS:

 

In the case of Illinois's flag do you believe this was an improvement? Why or why not? Why/how might Americans benefit from having more unity between states?

For more information and short, thoughtful explanations for each transformation please visit: http://accelerator.bresslergroup.com/2013/08/united-we-stand/

 

 

While the appeal of making your mark in public places is undeniable and understandable, artists of all ages should ALWAYS remember to be careful when experimenting with art forms near or outside the boundaries of the law. Graffiti and street art have become more popular and well respected in the art community in recent years and - while I don't encourage vandalism - I DO encourage students to experiment with temporary street art such as reverse graffiti, yarn bombing, wheat paste, etc.

Canadian artist Dorota Pankowska reappropriates corporate logos "tagging" them using the products they represent (i.e. French's made out of mustard or Skippy made out of peanut butter). While the art is obviously temporary and washable, the art still makes the viewer think and re-imagine the products we use/eat/encounter everyday.

 

The New America from Nando Costa on Vimeo.

Stop-motion animation is not just reserved for drawings and cut paper - artists/filmmakers are constantly challenging and reinventing what are "acceptable" materials to use for the art form. In this example EVERY FRAME (24 frames per second) is a unique piece of laser engraved wood with a unique image. Pay attention to the constantly changing wood grain in each shot for a telling hint of the process. What other materials might be interesting to experiment with? Would a non-drawing process be harder or easier?

 

 

Be sure to check out our FANTASTIC 1st grade work in the 100 hallway (take a right at the main office)

"Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn" by Ai Weiwei

Must art always be constructive (meaning to make something) OR can it sometimes also be destructive (meaning to destroy something)? Is one more expressive than the other? What might it mean to destroy an artifact others have said is an "important" part of your cultural heritage? Are there any things in history museums you would rather see smashed at your feet than looked at behind glass?

Controversial and highly political Chinese artist Ai Weiwei challenges his identity as a Chinese citizen and the power of today's anti-free speech Chinese government by smashing a very old and very valuable piece of Chinese history. What might the gesture/action mean? Can you think of an expressive action you could do to defy the people of power in your life (parents, teachers, government, etc.)?

 

Is the VALUE of art all in the name of the artist who made it? Do art collectors buy what they like or what is worth a lot of money to someone else?

Famous British Street Artist Banksy (who has managed to keep his identity a secret despite his fame) pulled off the ultimate prank on tourists and art collectors today. The artist set up a booth of original artwork (each valued in the $1,000's) near New York City's Central Park that was designed to look like the many knock-off booths found throughout the city. Despite the true value of the work, the booth and the old man working it (NOT Banksy) only managed to sell a few paintings. While this is not an endorsement to buy every cheap knock-off you see, remember that things are not always as they appear!

 

 

How might your understanding of the world be different if you were without one or more of your senses? How might you imagine the sun or stars if you could not see them? Could you "imagine" at all if you were born blind and have no idea what color or vision is? Be grateful for the senses you have but challenge yourself to "see" the world with more than just your eyes.

1st GRADE - 113

HISTORY OF ANIMATION

 

THAUMATROPE: an antique household toy which combines two images on opposite sides of a coin/disc by spinning the object rapidly at its axis

 

 

PHENAKISTOSCOPE: an antique household toy which features an object/figure changing little by little from one image to the next around the circumference of a disc. The disc is then spun and viewed through a special viewing window.

 

ZOETROPE: an antique household toy which features an object/figure changing little by little from one image to the next around the inner wall of a cylinder. The cylinder is then spun and the images viewed through slits in the sides.

 

PRAXINOSCOPE: an antique household toy which features an object/figure changing little by little from one image to the next around the inner wall of a cylinder. The cylinder is then spun and the images viewed reflected against several mirrors on the inside.

 

 One of the earliest examples of modern hand-drawn cartooning dating back to 1914.

 

Walt Disney himself explains the technology that goes into his cartoons

Terry Gilliam of the famous British comedy group Monty Python makes animations using cut and altered photographs

William Kentridge makes animations by drawing and erasing charcoal drawings - each scene/shot being done on one constantly changing piece of paper

Even familiar hand-drawn characters can be re-imagined with the technology of today. When the Simpsons ventured into the world of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) in 1995 it was considered groundbreaking. Many, many movies and shows use CGI today in a way that is indistinguishable from real life.

What kind of animation most appeals to you? Why? Which do you think would be the "hardest" to do? the "easiest"?

7th GRADE - 209