I had a brainstorn tonight as I sat re-writing course descriptions for
our high school couse offerings booklet. Student numbers are down and
I'm looking for an exciting offering that will not only catch
student's attention but also that of administration, school board and
the tax-paying public.
So I came up with: environmental art. Not crazy about the title, but
basically we would look at artwork from Christo and Goldsworthy and de
Maria, as well as specific art styles, to create installations in
sights around the school; possibly two installations per semester. I
really need to keep the art work indoors, rather than 'earthworks'
outside...winter and mud seasons are VERY long! So, here are my
questions for your collective wisdom:
1. What questions should I be asking myself (besides the usual one of
checking my sanity)
2. What have YOU all done along this line in your schools? (themes,
materials, etc?)
3. What precautions would you take when preparing for a course such as this?
4. Can you suggest websites that may have, not so much "how-tos" but
inspriational material (visuals) from which I can get my creative
juices flowing.
I want to KEEP IT SIMPLE, but really want this to first be a great
group experience (limit 12 stuldents) in aesthetics, planning,
responding to the environment using a thematic approach, and last, but
certainly not least, be a public relations vehicle for the visual
arts.
I REALLY appreciate this discussion group. I may not write much, but
I am certainly encouraged by all the sharing that takes place. By the
way, the Tree of Life sculptures in my clay sculpture class are almost
complete, and will try to figure out a way to post pictures once
completed.
