Unit 3
Evolutions of Ingenuity
The final unit will build upon skills and knowledge obtained during the introduction and individual exploration units. Students will apply their understanding of time and change through the lens of collective humanity in this final unit. They will observe, research, discuss, and create a final artwork in reaction to this concept. Students will curate and run a final showcase together for their community. Finally, students will document their process and artwork for their portfolios.
Unit 3 at a Glance
Exploring how humanity addresses time and change through the evolution of human ingenuity over the next 15 weeks
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:
You as the student artist have explored…
SEL: Understanding societal roles
FORGING CROSS-DISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS
CURATING A SHOW
Documenting your work and developing a portfolio
IMPLEMENTING ABSTRACT CONCEPTS IN YOUR WORK
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
These questions will drive our work…
What world have you inherited? What world do you want to leave for the next generation?
What impacts do humans have on the world?
How does art help us understand the lives of people of different times, places, and cultures?
What methods and processes are considered when preparing artwork for presentation or preservation?
How does power affect change and historical records? How do we dissect entangled histories?
What influence does time have on artworks and the messages embedded within them?
Lesson 1: Time & Other Disciplines
In this lesson we will explore the concept of time across different disciplines - priming us to choose a concept for our final assignment. We will seek to understand how transdisciplinary research benefits us as artists.
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Participated in the utopia and dystopia warm-up exercise
Chosen a cross-disciplinary station to explore (math, science, history, english, athletics, music, theater)
Resources:
Concept Starters/Station Inspiration
Science: Erosion, Metamorphosis, Habitats, Life Cycle, Human Impact, Astronomy
Critical Thinking: My role in society over time
Literature: Art of Storytelling, Evolution of Character, Science Fiction - Futurism (Time Machines)
Health: Aging & Dementia
Human Condition: Death & Dying, Emotions, Crisis
Music: Musical styles over time & the evolution of technology
Lesson 2: Human Influence & Ingenuity
In this lesson we will explore the theme for our final project: Collective Humanity & Human Ingenuity. During our final weeks we will apply the knowledge of time and change through our mesosystems & macrosystems. You will each create a small body of work or a single artwork that executes this theme. We will then create an exhibition and showcase it to the school.
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Selected a topic to research
Drawn connections across disciplines
Drafted and executed your concepts
Resources:
Evolutions of Human Ingenuity
Time & How We view Art - Virtual Galleries
Lesson 3: Curating Artwork for an Exhibition
In this lesson we will research and expand on curating artwork for a group exhibition. We will focus on the theme of collective humanity and human ingenuity — building a class exhibition from our works.
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Defined curation
Visited one museum - paying close attention to curation practices
Create curation strategies with your class and come up with a single cohesive plan
Develop a exhibition through line with your class
Identify a school space and organize your exhibition collaboratively
Established communication styles and project management techniques
Essential Questions
How do Curators select, analyze, and interpret artistic works for presentation?
Resources:
Lesson 4: Exhibition Development & Docent Training
In our final lesson we will work as a class to develop and put on our exhibition. We will work as a collective, assigning roles as if we worked in a gallery. We will explore roles like: docents, registrar, director, editor, archivist, communications & marketing, and art handler.
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Identified who is taking on what role
Developed a plan of execution
Completed your role to the best of your ability
Completed your exhibition
Resources:
Lesson 5: Reflection & Open Studio Day
In this lesson we will reflect on our exhibition — evaluating what went well and what we would change. Once our reflections are complete, we will move on to an open studio day.
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Reflected on our exhibition — thinking critically about our start, stop, repeat worksheets and discussing our outcomes with our classmates
Chosen a goal for today’s open studio session
Resources:
Lesson 6: Documenting Your Artwork
This lesson will be a photography and archival mini lesson. We will work to document your artwork from the last 3 units.
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Photographed all of your artwork
Taken notes on photography and lighting methods for documentation
Edited your photos & identified “selects”
Resources:
Lesson 7: Creating Portfolios
This lesson will be a graphic design mini lesson. We will work to pull together your artwork into one cohesive document.
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Identified your selects and organized them into a folder - ready for portfolio production
Taken notes on graphic design methods for portfolio development
Written clear, concise labels for your work
Created a final portfolio
Printed your portfolio
Resources:
Lesson 8: End of Year Celebration - Portfolio Review & Time Capsule Burial
In this lesson we will celebrate our work, participate in a portfolio review, and bury our time capsule from unit 2!
Objectives:
You as the student artist have…
Visited at least 3 of your peer’s portfolio tables - giving sticky note feedback
Celebrated your accomplishments! Wohoo! Great work!