Sea shells + symmetry + Sesame + sigh...
I rediscovered this golden age Sesame Street sequence today. These stop-motion animations were and are so mesmerizing and tactile -- I would like to include this in a lesson on radial symmetry for first graders in the future! Perhaps another reminder of how my notions of 'technology in the classroom' might vary from the mainstream...
On sisterhood
I certainly don't need any convincing on the matter. I grew up surrounded by close female friendship, perhaps to the point where I didn't even notice its significance. As the firstborn to a gregarious and relational mother, I spent my earliest development in the bonds of mother-daughter kinship. By the time I was five years old, I had two younger sisters and five female cousins near my age, providing a secure and rich soil for a prosperous garden of secrets, stories, and endless imaginative play. Our literary touchstone was Louisa Alcott's Little Women, which mirrored our own society incredibly well.
Later, despite the uncomfortable transitions inherent to high school and college, I was always extremely blessed with girlfriends who were committed to supporting and challenging one another. Several of us gathered weekly throughout those years (not to mention roomed together in college), exhibiting a social, emotional and spiritual intimacy that I know is divinely special -- but suspect is not wholly unique. I know other ladies share a similar special society from the bonds of college days, a phenomenon that as a lifetime investment competes mightily with college tuition and international travel. I was always a very driven (obsessive perfectionist, what?) and earnest student, but my female friendships stand out among the academics, the community involvement, the dating, and the travel abroad as the most significant element of my formal education years.
So it doesn't surprise me to read that these social ties are essential to female wellbeing. It makes sense that I feel loss at this point, having lived years apart from my scrappiest sisters, biological and beyond. It makes sense that I'm sincerely unfulfilled by our well-intentioned threads of email updates, or Facebook communication, or even the annual long weekend rendezvous. And it helps me understand why I feel so disoriented watching my newer girlfriends move away to pursue different things. In the last five years, three of my most intimate post-college friends have left Seattle for other personal and professional pursuits, and one of the few remaining ladies is scheduled for departure within six months.
I'm realizing also that whether due to the staggered nature of events, or the cult of independence that dominates adult life in western culture, I've really downplayed this phenomenon to myself and to others. I probably shouldn't need science to finally counter that notion, but it's here, and it's shouting: IT'S A BIG DEAL! Friendships are a big deal! Adult women need friends every bit as much as young girls do! Whether we are single or married or mothers or teachers or doctors or artists or elephants or monkeys -- sisterhood is a vital means for sharing the decompression, empathy and reliability that makes life meaningful, playful and bearable.
Stay tuned. There is an exhibition proposal on the horizon, honoring these very things.
image credit: Serge Bloch
photo: Wetzel sisters, Colorado 2011
Art Interruptions: Naturally Beautiful
Inspired by the City of Seattle's sponsorship of "Art Interruptions," I decided to offer my first grade class a chance to install campus-wide temporary art installations over the last three months of school.
For April, we embraced the Earth Day theme and watched a video about Andy Goldsworthy's land art. As a class, we identified elements and principles of design in each of his works (such as line, shape, repetition, color, balance/symmetry), and then reflected on why he might be considered an environmentalist as well as an artist. We also talked about the significance of temporary art works, and the implications that impermanence has for both the creator and viewer.
They turned out so lovely, and I was amazed at how breathlessly inspired the whole class was! I think they could have gone on for hours if given the chance. Incredible. I was especially excited to hear some students say things afterwards like, "We inspired other kids to get involved too!" and "I hope people think about how beautiful nature is when they discover our sculptures!" and "Can I do this on my own at home, too?"
Guidelines for Art Interruptions: Naturally Beautiful
1. Rearrange nature to incorporate and identify at least one visual element or principle, such as: line, shape, value, color, texture, movement, balance/symmetry.
2. Do not harm the school or the environment. If you have to pull on something harder than you'd pluck a small leaf, you have gone too far.
3. Document your piece with a photo and written information. Then share it with your friends, because it is temporary and will not last long!
Stay tuned for the next Art Interruption!
For April, we embraced the Earth Day theme and watched a video about Andy Goldsworthy's land art. As a class, we identified elements and principles of design in each of his works (such as line, shape, repetition, color, balance/symmetry), and then reflected on why he might be considered an environmentalist as well as an artist. We also talked about the significance of temporary art works, and the implications that impermanence has for both the creator and viewer.
They turned out so lovely, and I was amazed at how breathlessly inspired the whole class was! I think they could have gone on for hours if given the chance. Incredible. I was especially excited to hear some students say things afterwards like, "We inspired other kids to get involved too!" and "I hope people think about how beautiful nature is when they discover our sculptures!" and "Can I do this on my own at home, too?"
Guidelines for Art Interruptions: Naturally Beautiful
1. Rearrange nature to incorporate and identify at least one visual element or principle, such as: line, shape, value, color, texture, movement, balance/symmetry.
2. Do not harm the school or the environment. If you have to pull on something harder than you'd pluck a small leaf, you have gone too far.
3. Document your piece with a photo and written information. Then share it with your friends, because it is temporary and will not last long!
Stay tuned for the next Art Interruption!
Monochromatic Asian Plates
In anticipation of our class visit to "LUMINOUS: The Art of Asia" at SAM, I led a monochromatic watermedia project in response to the exhibit's "rescued treasure" -- Vietnamese ceramics from the 15th and early 16th centuries.
I introduced the idea of discovering a sunken treasure, then shared images of the pieces on display. After discussing some of the recurring motifs we saw in these works, I set the students loose with liquid watercolor and white paper plates. I was truly amazed at the results from such a simple activity. Lovely!
I introduced the idea of discovering a sunken treasure, then shared images of the pieces on display. After discussing some of the recurring motifs we saw in these works, I set the students loose with liquid watercolor and white paper plates. I was truly amazed at the results from such a simple activity. Lovely!
 |
Plate with floral spray, late 15th-early 16th century, Vietnamese, blue and
white ceramic, 9 in. diameter, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2000.133.
Previously on view in LUMINOUS: The Art of Asia, SAM downtown. |
"Luminous" Lanterns
As part of our visit to SAM's "LUMINOUS: The Art of Asia," we created our own luminaries out of heavy watercolor paper, Sumi ink and liquid watercolor. Each student was also given a tea light to take home, so that their families could illuminate the functional artwork and the student could share their experience of Do Ho Suh's "Gate" installation at SAM.
Side note: I was pleasantly surprised at the children not being frightened by the visceral quality of the video installation. On the contrary, they were all transfixed and wanted to return for an additional viewing at the end of the visit.
LSA Sumi Ink Club: Round I
On Tuesday, we put together a giant easel and set to work on our first round of Sumi Ink Club-inspired collaborative drawing projects. It was a great time, produced some striking murals, and was an excellent way to bring K-5 all together on a creative journey!
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Anna Wetzel
Artist + Educator
