DESCRIPTION: Students compose a group poem about a work of art to describe and/or interpret it.

OBJECTIVES: Students explore the nature of modern art while learning about the process needed to make an informed judgment.

PROCEDURE: Sometimes it takes a great deal of knowledge and experience to fully appreciate and understand a work of art. One way to learn about a particular work of art is to read accounts written by critics or historians. Although we do not have time now to read the writings of a critic or art historian, we do have access to the key tool used by them--observation. I have an activity that will expand our vision of a work of art. The activity involves composing a group statement about our impressions. I would like you to carefully study a work of art. Be sure to notice the visual elements of the work, the relationships among those elements, and the ideas or feelings conveyed by the elements. You may want to compare what you see with your own experience--feelings that you have had, places where you have been, etc. Think of three words which in some way describe or interpret the work. I will record each of your impressions on a tape recorder. Then we will play back the impressions you had while you looked at, or studied the work of art. Is this tape recording a complete account of what you saw and felt? If not, let's add more impressions to complete the account.

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

Age level: Grades 9 and up.
Artworks used: Any paintings or sculptures.
Props needed: Tape recorder (optional).
Related to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: Yes
Notes: You can have students write down their three words and read them back rather than recording them.


© 1998 WALKER ART CENTER