Unit 5: Art as Social Activism
An investigation of public art
A social issue (also called a social problem, social conflict, or social illness) refers to an issue that influences a considerable number of individuals within a society.
Social activism is an intentional action with the goal of bringing about social change. If you feel strongly about a cause and are working towards a change, you could be considered an activist. An activist is anyone who is fighting for change in society.
Summative Rubric for this project
unit_5_activist_rubric.docx |
Why are we doing this? |
What is the challenge? |
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Studio Outcome:
In this art project, you will work individually or in groups to create a public artwork addressing a chosen social, environmental or political issue that is important to you. Your artwork will be site-specific, meaning you and your group have planned this artwork be installed specifically in this location/environment. Process Outcome: Your sketchbook will document the research, artist analysis, ideation sketches and final plan of your group piece. Look below for further details. Your group's shared Epad will document the planning and process as well as your group's collaborative effort. |
Media: |
Artists: |
You will be able to use any of the materials below for your project:
-duct tape -packing clear tape -cardboard -spray paint -plaster gauze -papercut -string, yarn -etc... |
At the bottom of this page there are many short videos on some of the artists listed here.
Banksy Do-ho Suh Ann Hamilton Tara Donovan Prune Nourry Mark Jenkins Andy Goldsworthy Christo and Jean-Claude Maya Lin Kara Walker Shepard Fairey |
Random International Cantoni and Crescenti Candy Chang Yayoi Kusama Aakash Nihilani Yayoi Kusama Cai Guo-Qiang Ai Wei Wei Bruce Nauman Barbara Kruger Swoon |
Prezi-Public Art
Class Brainstorm on hierarchy of issues
-SELF
--FAMILY/FRIENDS/SCHOOL
---COMMUNITY/CITY
----CHINA
-----GLOBAL
Unit Sequence:
1. Media Testing
-We will do media testing on clear tape and cardboard. Take photos of your tape media testing and your cardboard media testing to document in your sketchbook and final reflection. 2. Art Analysis of 2 artists -1 page each -Use the prompts on the sheet to the right to analyze the work of a chosen artist and use the sketchbook page examples ---1 artist should address an issue in their work (global, social, political or environmental issue) ---1 artist should have a work that is public and site-specific Each Art Analysis page should include: WRITING: 3 paragraphs -1 on Form -1 on Theme -1 on Context VISUALS: -2-3 photographs of their artwork with titles and year made -1 visual study (drawing) in COLOR. (about 1/4 of the page) CITE ALL YOUR SOURCES |
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3. Research-1 page
Global Issues Website-lists issues-link -As a group, you must select your chosen issue as the impetus of your project. EACH group member will research the history of this issue and some current news articles and document this research in the sketchbook. Each group member should look up at least 2 articles from news/information sites (TED, CNN, BBC, Washington Post, the Atlantic, the New Yorker, the New York Times) related to your chosen issue and SUMMARIZE the article story in your OWN WORDS. Make sure to include a few sketches or images related to your chosen issue and CITE ALL YOUR SOURCES. All group members will come together to share their findings. This information will be synthesized to inspire the visual interpretation of your project. |
4. Ideation-1 page
You will EACH sketch out 3 composition ideas for a site-specific artwork in your sketchbook. Each of these ideas should be inspired by what you learned in the research of your issue and the sharing of this research. Add annotations (descriptive notes) next to each of your sketches so we know what we are looking at.
You will present your favorite idea to your group and receive warm and cool feedback. As a group, you must choose 1 idea or a blend of ideas to carry forth into your final plan.
5. Final Plan-1 page
Final Plan: The final plan will be completed by each student in their sketchbook. It's important that each student in the group is 100 % on board and clear with how this plan will manifest. You may do your final plan together but everyone should have a copy in their sketchbook.
Visuals of the plan: You must each sketch out your piece from 3 angles: TOP VIEW, SIDE VIEW and FRONT VIEW and include color. This Final plan may be done together and then photocopied for each person's sketchbook.
Questions to be addressed in the final plan:
-TIME FRAME: Is this project doable in 3 weeks? Come up with a weekly plan in how you will pace your progress. Due date is May 18 (6 studio classes) The project must be set up on location accompanied by a brief artist statement by May 18.
-MEANING/MESSAGE: How does this artwork express the chosen issue your group has decided to focus on?
How have you made the message metaphorical? Remember, the more literal your artwork, the less creative it is.
-MEDIA/MATERIALS-Does the art room/supply room have the supplies you will need? If not, how will you procure the necessary supplies on your own?
-PUBLIC SITE: Where is the site for this work on campus? You will need permission and approval to create this work from Mr Munro and Mr Quint. If this piece is outside, how will it withstand the elements?
-STEPS: Moving forward, write down the steps you need to take to realize this project.
-Optional: PARTICIPATORY: Will your audience be invited to participate/interact with your work? If so, how?
6. EPAD-Final Plan and SMART GOALS
Copy the information from my sample EPAD to your group EPAD
OR
Download this document file below and copy the information to your group EPAD
You will EACH sketch out 3 composition ideas for a site-specific artwork in your sketchbook. Each of these ideas should be inspired by what you learned in the research of your issue and the sharing of this research. Add annotations (descriptive notes) next to each of your sketches so we know what we are looking at.
You will present your favorite idea to your group and receive warm and cool feedback. As a group, you must choose 1 idea or a blend of ideas to carry forth into your final plan.
5. Final Plan-1 page
Final Plan: The final plan will be completed by each student in their sketchbook. It's important that each student in the group is 100 % on board and clear with how this plan will manifest. You may do your final plan together but everyone should have a copy in their sketchbook.
Visuals of the plan: You must each sketch out your piece from 3 angles: TOP VIEW, SIDE VIEW and FRONT VIEW and include color. This Final plan may be done together and then photocopied for each person's sketchbook.
Questions to be addressed in the final plan:
-TIME FRAME: Is this project doable in 3 weeks? Come up with a weekly plan in how you will pace your progress. Due date is May 18 (6 studio classes) The project must be set up on location accompanied by a brief artist statement by May 18.
-MEANING/MESSAGE: How does this artwork express the chosen issue your group has decided to focus on?
How have you made the message metaphorical? Remember, the more literal your artwork, the less creative it is.
-MEDIA/MATERIALS-Does the art room/supply room have the supplies you will need? If not, how will you procure the necessary supplies on your own?
-PUBLIC SITE: Where is the site for this work on campus? You will need permission and approval to create this work from Mr Munro and Mr Quint. If this piece is outside, how will it withstand the elements?
-STEPS: Moving forward, write down the steps you need to take to realize this project.
-Optional: PARTICIPATORY: Will your audience be invited to participate/interact with your work? If so, how?
6. EPAD-Final Plan and SMART GOALS
Copy the information from my sample EPAD to your group EPAD
OR
Download this document file below and copy the information to your group EPAD
smart_goals_and_the_activist_art_project_final_plan.docx |
You will present your final plan to another group in class and give each other WARM and COOL Feedback going forward.
7. Studio Work Time-Progress Expectations
EACH PERIOD, you and your group should:
EACH PERIOD, you and your group should:
- Take photos during class of your artwork that show the progress of the studio work as well as your team working together. By the end of the project, you should have 10 sharp photos demonstrating the progress and group work. With your group, figure out a way to share these photos with one another so each of you has a copy at the END of EACH PERIOD. Make sure to sketch/draw any changes and clarification to your final plan. These drawings can be used as 1 of the photo documentations.
- on the EPAD-Take turns writing up a summary of what was accomplished during the class period, any slight changes to your final plan, steps moving forward, as well as how aligned your progress is to your SMART goals.
ARTISTS
Do Ho Suh-Displacement
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Barbara Kruger- Media/Feminism
Kara Walker-Racial bias/history
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Ann Hamilton-History, Participatory Art
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Prune Nourry-Gender inequality
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Mark Jenkins-?
Ai Wei Wei-Human Rights
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Candy Chang-Hopes and Dreams
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Cai Guo-Qiang-Violence
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Yayoi Kusama
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Aakash Nihalani
Aakash Nihalani - STOP from Picasso Pictures on Vimeo.
Ann Weber
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Maya Lin
Andy Goldsworthy-Sustainable Art-Cycles and Time
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