

Lesson Plans

ID: UA; Art and Ecology

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Thu, 5 Nov 1998 22:05:11 EST

Some additional notes are given here along with our puzzle and questions.

>From the Art & Ecology site by Dr. Krug: "Artists who work in the area of
ecological design are concerned with how the art they create is contingent on
direct experiences and interactions with a particular place where the art is
created. An ecological view of design considers the artwork within larger
contexts of how people, plants, and animals are interconnected with each
other, the site, and/or the earth."

Adapting, experiencing, creating, and reflecting are all part of our objective
for our lesson on ecology/adaptation to the desert environment.

A&E Puzzle regarding Andy Goldsworthy:

Andy Goldsworthy is a nontraditional sculptor who uses natural materials that
he finds at specific sites. In Ballet Atlantique, a performance piece, people
are used to help create the sculpture. At what point does the sculpture
exist? The entire piece, or only after the sticks have left the participants
hands? Who is the artist if Goldsworthy did not personally throw each stick
up and place it? How can something that lasts only a few seconds be labeled
as art?

Questions high school art class for Ballet Atlantique by Andy Goldsworthy:

First, we would show the slide of Ballet Atlantique without any introduction.

1. What do you think is happening in this slide?

2. Do you think this could be art? Why or why not?

Then a short explanation would be given about Andy Goldsworthy, performance
art, and his comments about this piece (significance of change and the
fleeting characteristics of time). Questions continue:

3. Do you feel differently about this work after hearing the artist's

4. Would large groups of people understand what is happening here if they saw
the photograph of people throwing sticks in the air ? Would they get the idea
behind the art?

5. Would another type of art be more effective in calling attention to
environmental and ecological issues? For example, could an oil painting of a
landscape be more effective?

6. Does using objects from nature, like sticks, leaves, branches, seem like a
better way to draw attention to the environment than using paint or clay?

7. What do you think about using these items in this way?

8. Does this artwork change your feelings toward the environment?