Studio work

The studio work for Mysteries within Us is the manipulation of a self-portrait. I would like students to morph their self with an element that represents something they would like to reveal for about themselves. Edward Scissorhands by Tim Burton and Water by Howardena Pindell are examples of this process as well as the work I have posted below. This is not a literals representation this is going to be metaphorical that way it gets the views to think about what you, the artist is trying to reveal. Not all people may get exactly what your pieces are about, but that is art. Everyone’s interpretations of any given piece are unique and appreciated.

 

Posting Guidelines

These are a few guidelines I expect students to follow when posting.
http://www.screencast.com/t/K1vjC627

Two artist that related to "Meanings within Us" Our Theme for this Lesson: Tim Burton and Howardena Pindell

Tim Burton:   Edward Scissorhands

            Burton’s is known not only for his films, but also for his unique works of art. His works emote a morbid humor often accompanied by a violent punchlines in a dark classic fairy tale tone.  Burton not only draws for his own pleasure but often draws while filming to portray the type of character he want actors to emit.  He has a unique outlook on the world formed by several factors (Caldwell 2010).

            For a long time Burton had trouble touching people, this was due to growing up in a family that lacked physical intimacy.  This is often portrayed within his films having characters lack parental affection. “He sought solace from the ‘normal’ world… seeing monster movies and horror films (Caldwell, p7).” Within these movies, he related to the monsters seeing them as possessing the most soul and their persecution often unjust. Burton discloses being referred to as a weirdo in childhood and how he grew to embrace the term.  Although Burton puts a little bit of himself within everything he creates, the character closely portrays him Edward Scissorhands. He describes this Edward as the ultimate weirdo depicting him as isolated from suburbia literally unable to touch anyone without hurting them (Caldwell 2010).

Source:

Caldwell, T. (2010). Tim Burton: the exhibition. Screen education, (56), pp 6-12.

Howardena Pindell:  Water

Pindell’s Water is all autobiographical as well as political. It addresses feminism, racism, violence, slavery, and exploitation. It is also a means self exploration, this means of examination became prominent in her work after her 1979 car accident resulting in a concussion and memory loss. 

Lee Bontecou

In conversation with Mona Hadler, Lee Bontecou describes her passion as emotional responses evolving from political and social stances originating with her upbringing during World War II (Hadler 1994.).  She also denotes her inspiration for her earlier works as resonating from the Cold War arms race and Sputnik (Duncan 2004.).  “Bontecou has stressed that she sees technology through nature, pointing out the relationship of the helicopter or of Sputnik to the dragonfly (Hadler, p57.).” She presents her responses within an oppositional language of mix media sculptures and drawings utilizing organic and geometric shapes. Constructed of her sculptures consist of varying combinations of plastic, wire, canvas, welded steel, velvet and other clothes, while her drawings were of graphite, soot and ink & ink/prints (Hadler 1994.).

      “Bontecou has culled her imagery from life itself (Ashton, p1.).” This relates to the life of the mind as well as visual life. She not only perceives all the beauty in the natural world but also the cruelty.  The goal within her work is to emit emotions, not only her personal feelings, but to also get the viewer to give the work their own personal meaning.  Enhance freedom of interpretation is her neglect in titling her work.  Works can range from easily identifiable to abstract and open to viewer interpretation (Ashton 2005.). 

      Bontecou’s works consist of depict an array of objects, from airplane propellers, skeletal structure, fish, and cannons to black holes conveying “…a blank television screen, a camera lens, a cave, a wound, the pupil of an eye, a crater, a skeletal socket, a porthole, a periscope, a gun barrel…(Duncan, p152).” She began her career using conventional sculptural approaches, creating an armature and applying materials to create a freestanding form.  However, in the 1960’s she moved on to create her signature works as protruding wall reliefs (Duncan 2010.).

Ashton, D. (2005). On Lee Bontecou. Raritan, 24(4), pp 1-12.

Duncan, M. (2004). Catching up with Bontecou. Art in American, 92(6), pp150-159.

Hadler, M. (1994). Lee Bontecou’s warnings. Art journal, 53(4), pp 56-61.

Personal interpretation of Lee Bontecou's 1962 Untitled, Soot on paper

Ex: My Personal interpretation... DO NOT COPY PRESENT YOUR OWN ORIGINAL THOUGHTS.
Bontecou’s Untitled, 1962, soot on paper appears to be as it is describe soot on paper, perhaps she is referring to the use of charcoal.  It is entirely black and white, the white being the untainted paper. 

I am peering up through the winding staircase above and all around me starting at my feet into the blackened sky with the moon like a pebble in its darkness.  I relate the journey of my life to the stairs interpreting it as I have a whole adventure lying at my feet just waiting for me to take the first set.  Gazing upon the piece, I am overcome with sadness as elements of mystery and darkness rush through my thoughts.  At the same time, hope is in the air.  This sense emanates from a spot of light within the dark abyss overhead and rays of light coming out of the blackened sky reflecting off the structure above.

At second glace the image becomes an eye staring at me, judging me.  However, it is tired with bags surrounding its socket. It is tired of judging and being judged.  The rays act like the reminisce of tears that had once flowed from its gland.  There is sadness and frustrated in its gaze.  When looking at this piece my thoughts are filled with darkness, darkness of my past and current struggles.  However, I have to believe there is hope, hope for not only myself, but also the ones I love.

Me

Introduction:  My name is Samantha Morell. I transfered to Kent in Fall 2010. I'm a Art Ed major holding senior status, however i still have 1-1 1/2 years of schooling after this semester which I cant wait to complete. Right now I am in the process of working on my second lesson plan, the first in my practicum class. I chose to start my focus on one of Lee Bontecou's untitled works.

I still have quiet a bit to figure out however, I am already really excited to introduce my lesson to the 10-14 year olds I will be teaching later this semester.
 
The theme/key topic we are going to be working on for this unit is "Mysteries within Us." The first thing I would like students to address and discuss is their own personal interpretation of this work.What do you see when you first look at this image? What feelings does this piece evoke, if any?