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Lesson Plans


Re: Art in America

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Leslie Miller (zandee)
Wed, 28 Aug 1996 00:25:05 -0400 (EDT)

I was just going through very old mail, because my old computer is getting
full, and came across this posting of 5/30. On our first day of school,
today, my fourth grades and I were looking at portraits and self portraits
done by Rembrandt and Leyster and Karsh and Sully and Sargent and of course
Mona Lisa. I admit, all realistic. The kids began to ask me about art which
"just sqiggles and blobs of color" that was selling for so much money and
what makes it art! They were very upset that they tried so hard to make
things photo-like(not because I make them do that) and here was an artoist
making thousands and thousands of dollars for a "scribble." They were so
wise in their discussion. We never really did come to an answer, but it is
an avenue that we will explore, after I expand my store od posters and
books, so we can form hypothesis and ideas.
I wonder if after this May 3oth post there was anything else that I could
take to them. Nice to have Grownups discussing the same ideas as my kids.
Leslie
art educator
Potter Road Elementary school
Framingham ,MA

At 09:25 PM 5/30/96 -0400, Sandra Hildreth wrote:
>Part of a comment from Joanne:
>>At this point in America the only people who supposedly appear to
>>support the "Arts" are those who use it as some sort of investment,
>>or tax break...
>
>Having taught high school Art for 25 years, I have enjoyed the priviledge
>of being able to produce art when I was moved to do so, of subject and
>style I was personally interested in, and don't particularly care if I sell
>any or not - but I've been well aware of what the "Art market" in America
>is like. And it's really hard to explain to high school students. They see
>examples of contemporary art and ask how some things can sell for tens of
>thousands of dollars. I try to remain non-judgemental and suggest that some
>contemporary art is just so innovative, or provokes such significant
>thinking, or is somehow evolving from earlier art forms - and therefore has
>received much attention. That attention leads to gallery shows and
>purchases by investors and collectors who want to have the very latest
>styles. But the kids have a hard time accepting this - "why is it art?"
>they ask. Because someone created it? Anyone out there have ideas on how
>you can explain this?
>
>Sandy Hildreth
>
>
>
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