Today we explored one natural product that comes from the earth and how we can use it to create art. We worked with clay. But before that, in our coloured groups we did a jigsaw with our readings. This was effective because everyone was accountable for their own section and everyone had to provide information to the group, everyone had to participate. I talked about Andy Goldsworthy’s work and how it is connected to nature and how he uses organic material to build his art. Alex put on a movie which I thought was appropriate because it was about Andy Goldsworthy. I thought this was an effective teaching strategy because he tied in the articles we read to the movie about the artist himself. It was also nice to see his work in action and hear his perceptions. One thing that Andy Goldsworthy said which stood out to me was, “the thing that brought life to it will give it it’s death.” He was referring to his work that is nature itself, such as ice or driftwood that was born from the earth and the earth or nature takes it as well, in melting the ice or his driftwood from the sea piled up, but then being taken back by the sea as the tide comes in.
So after the video, Alex introduced us to clay. At first I didn’t even think about the connection, but now I understand that he brought in clay as a natural element that can be formed into art, much like Goldsworthy’s work.I found Alex’s instruction of the clay very useful and well organized. He showed us step by step what to do with the clay and what potential the clay had. I liked how he demonstrated what we were about to do ourselves. He showed us 4 different shapes with the clay and then he built whatever he wanted.He explained what ‘slip’ was and how to use it when piecing clay together. Then we all were divided an even piece of clay to work with on the clay boards. I liked how everything connected together and I found it effective in deepening our knowledge of natural materials in art. It was fun to produce something that came from the Earth, just like Goldsworthy does. It made the learning about Goldsworthy’s art more accessible and realistic.
I ended up sculpting 2 mountains with a setting sun in the middle. At the bottom of the mountains I put streams and 2 trees (one on either side of mountains). I chose this because sunsets and mountains are 2 of my favorite things found in the natural environment and because it represents where the clay comes from, the Earth.
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Earthworks
Jan 29/2008
Today we explored one natural product that comes from the earth and how we can use it to create art. We worked with clay. But before that, in our coloured groups we did a jigsaw with our readings. This was effective because everyone was accountable for their own section and everyone had to provide information to the group, everyone had to participate. I talked about Andy Goldsworthy’s work and how it is connected to nature and how he uses organic material to build his art. Alex put on a movie which I thought was appropriate because it was about Andy Goldsworthy. I thought this was an effective teaching strategy because he tied in the articles we read to the movie about the artist himself. It was also nice to see his work in action and hear his perceptions. One thing that Andy Goldsworthy said which stood out to me was, “the thing that brought life to it will give it it’s death.” He was referring to his work that is nature itself, such as ice or driftwood that was born from the earth and the earth or nature takes it as well, in melting the ice or his driftwood from the sea piled up, but then being taken back by the sea as the tide comes in.
So after the video, Alex introduced us to clay. At first I didn’t even think about the connection, but now I understand that he brought in clay as a natural element that can be formed into art, much like Goldsworthy’s work. I found Alex’s instruction of the clay very useful and well organized. He showed us step by step what to do with the clay and what potential the clay had. I liked how he demonstrated what we were about to do ourselves. He showed us 4 different shapes with the clay and then he built whatever he wanted. He explained what ‘slip’ was and how to use it when piecing clay together. Then we all were divided an even piece of clay to work with on the clay boards. I liked how everything connected together and I found it effective in deepening our knowledge of natural materials in art. It was fun to produce something that came from the Earth, just like Goldsworthy does. It made the learning about Goldsworthy’s art more accessible and realistic.
I ended up sculpting 2 mountains with a setting sun in the middle. At the bottom of the mountains I put streams and 2 trees (one on either side of mountains). I chose this because sunsets and mountains are 2 of my favorite things found in the natural environment and because it represents where the clay comes from, the Earth.
~ by rissaglendinning on February 6, 2008.
Posted in Class comments