Thursday, May 9, 2019

Metal Magic Tour, Part Two

We visited this really big sculpture at our next stop. How would you describe this sculpture? How is it similar to and different from Rush Hour? 




2nd grade
3rd grade
5th grade

Can you recognize what kind of materials the artist used to make this sculpture?  Mark di Suvero used circular steel pieces and steel I-beams, which are usually used as construction materials. The long I-beams stretch out from the circles in cantilevers, kind of like an extended overhanging roof on a house or other building.


We used our bodies again to recreate the long lines and circles of this sculpture!



2nd grade

2nd grade

2nd grade

3rd grade
3rd grade

3rd grade

3rd grade
4th grade

4th grade

4th grade
5th grade

5th grade

5th grade

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Metal Magic Tour, Part One

During our final tour of the year, we explored sculptures made of metal.

Vocabulary:

cast / molde 
cantilever / la viga 
pigment / el pigmento 
assemblage / el montaje de arte 
homage / homenaje 

So many things are made of metal - big things, small things, smooth things, sharp things.  Each student thought of something cool or important made of metal. What comes to mind for you? Students named items such as a fork, spoon, knife, car, robot, refrigerator, earrings, necklace, and a rocket ship.  



2nd grade

4th grade

A lot of artists make sculptures out of metal, using different kinds and different methods. We studied the sculpture below at our first stop. What are these people doing? How would you describe their expressions?





2nd grade

3rd grade

4th grade

5th grade

To help bring the sculpture to life, students took the pose and facial expression of one of the figures.



3rd grade

4th grade

Next, everyone received a drawing of the sculpture. We imagined how these people might be feeling or what they could be thinking. After adding thought bubbles for a person or two, we shared our ideas with a partner.



2nd grade

2nd grade

2nd grade
3rd grade

3rd grade

3rd grade
4th grade

4th grade

4th grade

4th grade
5th grade

5th grade

5th grade
Grayson - 2nd grade


Zoey - 2nd grade 

Oliver - 2nd grade
Alessandra - 3rd grade

Sidney - 3rd grade

Ingrid - 4th grade

Mia - 4th grade
Willa - 5th grade

The artist, George Segal, named this sculpture Rush Hour. He did not say whether this is morning or evening rush hour. Do you think it's morning or evening? Why do you say that?

George Segal made these sculpture by first making impressions of his friends and family using plaster bandages - the same kind that doctors use to make casts for broken bones. He dipped the bandages into water, which mixed with the powdered plaster. Next he wrapped his models' legs, then their torsos, and finally their faces with the bandages. After it hardened, Segal carefully removed the dried plaster, which retained a detailed impression of the person (imagine Playdoh and the way it retains the shape of an object that is pressed into it). These plaster molds were then used to cast the sculpture out of bronze, as we see in Rush Hour. 

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Congratulations 2019 Graduates!

We had a lovely celebration last week in honor of our 2019 graduates!

2nd graders in April 2016
5th graders in April 2019!

We began by asking students to reflect on their experiences with the GROW program. 

How have your feelings about sculptures changed over the past four years?
- I learned that sculptures are not just made of clay. It/sculptures change the way I look at things and not everything is made the same.
- Sculptures changed me because it makes me feel I can make anything. I learned that anything can be art.
- I've learned that sculptures can have many different meanings and can tell a story.
- My feelings have changed very much, now I realize how much thought and work goes into them. I've learned that sculptures can be basically anything and they can be something only you understand.
- My feelings changed a lot toward art and I got more interested in sculptures and the idea of them.

How did your GROW journey change your feelings about going to a museum?
- In 2nd grade I really didn't want to go to any museum unless it was the Perot Museum, but now I love it. Now I want to explore more art and art museums.
- My journey is that I now love art and have a passion about it. When I go to an art museum, I would like to draw artwork now.
- It made me want to go visit other art museums and explore different art cultures in museums.
- Before I just thought you go to look at basic artworks, but now I know that it's not just about looking at it, you actually dig deep into the artwork.
- Before GROW I wanted to go often but now I want to go every day of the week and look at different art.

What would you tell someone who is just starting the GROW program?
- I'd tell them don't be afraid to comment or ask a question about something.
- I would say "If you love art be ready to have the time of your life" or "Be read to grow and have your mind blown."
- I think when you go to each field trip you should be ready to be amazed. Also you should get ready to have so much fun.
- I will tell them how fun it is and you will learn more and more about art.
- I'd tell them that their opinion on art might change and that they'll get to do many fun activities while looking at art.

Students also repeated the audition that they submitted to enter the program as second-graders, which provides insight as to their progress over the past four years.

  
Next, students received their GROW certificates and graduation caps.




And finally...pizza and Ms. Lawson's super delicious cake!!




For me, GROW graduation brings a mixture of feelings. I feel such joy and pride for these young art enthusiasts. I'll miss their positive energy, silliness, and super smart insights. This group has developed into curious and confident museum-goes, and I can't wait to see where their individual journeys take them!

There are multiple GROW generations here: 2019 graduate Leslie in the front right and her older sister Alondra, 2017 graduate sits next to her. In Alondra's lap is their younger sister...perhaps a future GROW graduate?