Make it Grand | Day 5

Time warp. Today went by so fast no one could believe it.

Everyone was trying to finish their projects. It was a day of details and final problem-solving.  Several works are already in the gallery, presented with focused lights and artist statements, the rest will be there by 10:00 AM tomorrow!

This afternoon we finally got off-campus (first time all week) to see two gallery exhibits at the Kimball Jenkins Estate and to have a hibachi grill and sushi dinner at Moritomos, both in Concord.
The students had a new appreciation for the work that goes into a finished piece of art. We all really enjoyed the work of artists Tae Nelson and Charlie Goodwin. Talking to the gallery director, students learned that a gallery takes an average of 50% of the sale price of the art work. Thinking back to the 30+ hours each student had spent on their own pieces this week, they realized why art can be expensive, but is also an investment that doesn't devalue.

Dinner at Moritomos was fun and really really yummy. Ms.Walsh and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Theresa and others experience the hibachi "show"for the first time.

Looking forward to the symposium tomorrow!

 

 Exhausted!

Make it Grand | Day 4

Today was an exciting day for the student artists. 

The art works are evolving and have visual impact. Students spent the day working, problem solving, refining, considering their final presentations, and writing artist statements to accompany their work in the gallery. The photo lab, the art studio, and the gallery are all an active mess as students have claimed their own "studio space" and don't need to share it!

media studies for a mural ...  these German girls like DD!

 

time capsules of American history

 

making a statement about climate change          adding life to a skull "still life"

more works in progress

 

We begin and end each day with a student presentation on "an artist who inspires" him/her.  Today Sam presented Michelangelo, including three short clips from this pbs movie. 

The "shares" have been personal and meaningful.

Making it Grand, Day 2 & 3

These two days have passed very quickly. Yesterday students worked intensely on their proposals, some artist /subject research to inform the creative decisions, and media studies. Today everyone is involved in creating their final pieces. It's awesome to watch the projects evolve!

Here are some specific things that they have learned...

"Struggling with my process... trying to find the right media to express my statement."  Theresa

"I've been comparing and contrasting the way abortion is perceived and promoted in China and in the United states. The values around abortion vary greatly."  If you want to know more about this subject, come to the gallery during the symposium on Saturday.  William

"I've learned to trust my instincts. I'm using charcoal for the first time, drawing a woman's face.  I like the way it is coming out".  Alex

"I've learned that collaging is easier and looks better large scale. My final collage will be 3 x 4 feet." Kelsy

"I have learned how to use both Photoshop and charcoal. Charcoal is easier than I thought it would be to use. My final presentation will include 3 3'x4' panels, 2 photo collages and 1charcoal drawing."   Sam

"I have learned not to burn myself with hot glue!  I have been trying to narrow down my ideas - I have so many. I've decided to just start and go with it. I have three different projects in process!"   Ariel

"I have learned to slice water bottles into pieces,and to fit recycled materials to the shape of the skeleton to form the bodice and skirt of a dress. I used recycled materials like the big bubble packing material to pad the shape of the hips." Sally

"I've learned to be patient when things aren't working out, and patience in the painting process because you can't rush it. I've also learned painting techniques and how to match color."

"I've learned the ratios of the human skull. I have practiced my drawing skills. Although I am working on my final drawing, I am still in the process of figuring out an element of my final concept."  Eric

We're Making it Grand! Day 1

We started off the day learning that art has the power to change the world by watching the TED talk by French photographer “JR”. “JR” won the TED prize in 2011, and his TED prize wish was to use his prize to create a global art project.  He asked for help from people around the world to “turn the world inside out” through art. He asked the question “What do you believe in enough to stand up for?” We also watched his one year update and were amazed at the number of people participating, changing their world through photography.

Each student in this group is invested in a personal project, and will spend their week involved in the creative process of making something large scale, or largely time-intensive. Today they spent the day working out proposals and then doing media studies.  Each student is challenging themselves to do something much larger, more difficult, more creative than they have ever done before. I am impressed with their expressive goals and the thoughtfulness of their creative choices. 

Projects include: historical/political terrariums; a gown made out of recycled materials; a life size portrait collage; a mixed media piece combining poetry, painting, and drawing; a mixed media mural on the topic of friendship; several photography pieces and a sculpture from one student expressing an anti-abortion statement; a series of Normal Rockwell inspired self portraits; observational pencil drawings of a skeleton; and a series of three photographic works that illustrate pollution, climate change, and animal endangerment. 

This is an amazing group of students.  I can’t believe how lucky I am.