STANDARDS

Core Art Standards:

VA2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

VA5: Refine techniques and work for presentation.

VA10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.

Objective: Students will explore the work of artists who incorporate messages about nature into their work. Students will create their own artwork that communicates a message about nature.

Time: 7 hours

Hands-On Studio Project: Natural Design

Use with page 12.

Objective: Students will explore the work of artists who incorporate messages about nature into their work. Students will create their own artwork that communicates a message about nature.

PREPARATIONS/INTRODUCTION: (1 hour)

Introduce contemporary artists who explore ideas related to nature in their work. Ask students to reflect on and explain how the artists’ work might communicate deeper meanings or messages to the viewer.

RESEARCH: (2 hours)

Students should select and research an issue related to nature. Provide suggestions such as climate change, pollution, drought, flooding, or wildfires. Explain that students might focus on global or local issues. They might explore issues related to the past, present, or future. Ask: What is the potential impact of your chosen issue on the land, ecosystem, and people? How can you communicate this information through your art?
Students should look for images that will help them convey their ideas. Encourage them to gather photographs, maps, data, and other relevant information to incorporate into their project—either abstractly or realistically.
Explain the fundamentals of abstraction. Note that student work may be based on a real landscape, but students may simplify or design their work to enhance its meaning or message to the viewer.

PLANNING: (2 hours)

Explain that students may work in whatever medium they wish, but they should consider how their process and materials can help to convey meaning.
Each student should create several small thumbnail preparatory sketches. Remind students that these sketches may be realistic or abstract, but they should refer to their research (maps, photographs, etc.). If working in sculpture, students should create thumbnails that show several views of their work.
Encourage students to plan their compositions and emphasize one or more elements of art and principles of design.

FINAL COMPOSITION: (2 hours)

Students should design and/or build their final artworks, incorporating their research and preparatory sketches. Encourage critical thinking and problem solving. Remind them that their work should communicate a message to the viewer through either abstract and/or realistic imagery.
Conclude with a class critique. Have students complete the “Artist Statement: Natural Design” skills sheet

ASSESSMENT:

Did student research and communicate an idea about the natural world in an artwork?
Is student able to connect and explain how his or her research and preparation informed the final work and how his or her idea evolved throughout the process?