DESCRIPTION: Teams of students select works of art to enter in a world exhibition and then debate their entry choices.

OBJECTIVES: The objective is for students to explore ways that art reflects society. The most important objective, though, is to get students to enter in a debate where they have to defend their choice.

PROCEDURE: Next year there will be a World Art Fair in Paris. Each country in the world may enter one work of art which must, in some way, describe life in that country (or you could decide that each country must choose an idea or emotion to be represented, i.e. the saddest painting or the boldest painting). The American entry, for example, must in some way illustrate or convey the meaning of life in the United States.

I am going to select two teams. I would like each team to select a work of art that you feel best represents the U.S. Each team must select a different work of art. When both teams have made their selection we will hold a debate. Each team is responsible for supporting their selection and convincing the other team that their selection is the best. The object is to win votes from the other team. When the debating is over, you will vote to determine which work of art will represent the U.S. in Paris.

MINNESOTA GRADUATION STANDARDS:
(1) Read, View, Listen
(2) Write and Speak
(3) Literature and the Arts
(7) People and Cultures

Age level: Appropriate for grades 5 and up.
Artworks used: Paintings or sculptures chosen by the students.
Props needed: No props needed.
Related to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: No


© 1998 WALKER ART CENTER