A Mask For All Seasons
PROJECT URL:
http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/is24/llangsner/masklesson.htm
HOW IT WORKS
Students create plaster craft masks to depict
the four seasons. By navigating various Web sites, they learn about Renaissance
artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo and his "Season" series of floral faces.
The students create symbolism in their masks through the use of collage
materials.
Teacher preparation include locating
appropriate Web sites for reference, gathering visual resources, and acquire
Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" for musical accompaniment while the students
work.
Student activities include viewing and
discussing the "Web Gallery of Art" and Arcimboldo's paintings. They
brainstorm associations and phrases for the four seasons, decide which season
has the most appeal to them, bring in materials to enhance the feeling of that
season, and create color studies for their masks. The students apply plaster
craft over plastic molds to create the mask form. The masks are then sanded,
painted, and decorated. Finally, the students set up a showcase of their work.
The students are assessed
by participation in class discussion, and through short quizzes, creative
writing assignments, and peer review and evaluation of work.
WHAT YOU NEED
A computer with Internet access is required
as well as Hyperstudio and FrontPage software.
Required teacher technology skills include
familiarity with computers, the Internet, Web page creation, and slide show
presentations.
Students
should be familiar with navigating the World Wide Web to gather research
information and images.
THE STUDENTS
Participants are eighth-grade art students,
but this project can be adapted to other grade levels.
STANDARDS
The students use sensory elements and
expressive images to communicate their own ideas in works of art. They actively
engage in the creation of visual arts. And they respond critically to a variety
of works of an artist, connecting the individual work to other works and to
other aspects of human endeavor and thought.
TIPS
Plaster craft is easier than working with
papier mache, but it is just as messy. It dries more quickly and is more costly.
Be prepared to work with groups of students daily rather than the entire class
at one time.
RELATED LINKS
www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/a/arcimbol/index.html Arcimboldo's "Seasons" series of human faces turned into floral
arrangements.
http://ades-place.com/art/masks.htm - masks
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