T H E E X P E R I E N C E O F P L A C E:
N A T U R E
E N D U R I N G I D E A
R e l a t i o n s h i p
Q U E S T I O N S
- How does place make us who we are?
- What is our relationship with nature?
- How do we interact with nature?
- How has that relationship been created?
- What is our responsibility in relationship to nature?
R A T I O N A L E
The natural world is a vital part of human existence. As we engage with it through art, we will be better prepared to be responsible as we use the earth and it's resources. Nature can also be an access point to spirituality that students may not otherwise engage with or include in their art. (See Sally Mann)
L E A R N I N G G O A L S
- Students will have meaningful engagement with the natural that they will translate into art ma
- VA:Cr1.2.Ia: Shape an artistic investigation of an aspect of present day life using a contemporary practice of art
- VA:Cr1.2.IIa: Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan works of art
- VA:Cr2.1.IIIa: Experiment, plan, and make multiple works of art and design that explore a personally meaningful theme, idea, or concept.
K N O W L E D G E
- Nature is psychologically beneficial: "Green is Good for You"
- Art about and with Nature:
- Andy Goldsworthy
- Alisha Anderson
A C T I V I T I E S
- Go to and photograph or draw a natural place that is meaningful in your life or influenced you in some way.
- List as a class or in sketchbook ideas about nature.
- Collect art about nature online.
- Live with nature. Bring a rock, plant, animal (safely and with permission) into the classroom and invite students to do the same.
- Go on a walk and collect natural items that talk about your relationship with nature.
- Go on a nature walk and identify a plant that you will conduct further research about
- Build a container out of natural material.
An egg, emptied carved and sanded.
- Field trips to local nature areas where we will paint/draw the landscape.
- Watch a movie and think about how nature is portrayed (Avatar, Pocahontas, The Martian, An Inconvenient Truth, Life of Pi, King Kong, Food Inc., etc.)
B I G P R O J E C T
Create a sculpture of natural material that will somehow change over time and communicate your personal connection to nature.
P R O T O T Y P E
Mix of clay dirt and seed pressed into mold of legs.
I grew up barefoot in the summers. The bottom of my bed as a little kid was often kind of dirty from my feet. But through that connection growth is possible. My feet are tough and was more sensitive and aware of my surroundings.
Eventually this sculpture will deteriorate, planting the seeds.
