Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes
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Create an installation inspired by Karla Dickens' practices
Create an installation inspired by Karla Dickens' practices
Student visual arts resource developed by The Arts Unit in collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales
Years 5 and 6 visual arts
Before you begin
Before you begin
In today's lesson, you will learn from artist, Karla Dickens, the inspirations and techniques when she creates installations.
You will also have the opportunity to create your own installation!
What is an installation?
Installation art is a style of visual art that uses three-dimensional objects and often involves building and different types of materials.
Installations often aim to change the way a space is seen. This is called perception.
Installations are often shown in galleries, museums and public spaces. They can be permanent or temporary additions to a space.
As you work through the activities, record your answers to share with your teacher.
You could do this on paper or use a word processing program such as Word, Powerpoint or Google slides.
- Watch
Karla Dickens also uses found objects and materials to create large-scale installations. This video explores the materials and inspirations involved in creating her most recent artwork, A Dickensian Circus (2020).
Watch the video, then answer the following questions:
What does the word NIRIN mean in Wiradjuri?
What does Karla Dickens often do on Saturday mornings?
How are the plinths in A Dickensian Circus different to traditional plinths?
List as many materials as you can that you saw used in A Dickensian Circus.
Home program: Karla Dickens – installation
Duration: 03:332. Create
2. Create
Create your own installation.
Find everyday objects that can be deconstructed (taken apart), changed and joined to create your own installation.
See how many different objects you can use.
Be sure to ask permission from an adult before taking apart any objects!
These could include: old toys, toilet rolls, cutlery, containers, rope, old clothes, fabric, rope, boxes, jars, rocks, scrap wood, branches, leaves, or old technology.
Photograph all the objects you are going to use in your installation before you begin.
Video or photograph 3 of the objects being changed in the following ways:
Object 1 – Paint or draw a portrait on the surface.
Object 2 – Cut it in half.
Object 3 – Wrap it.
Join all your objects together using different techniques. Try using each joining technique you use only twice.
Some joining techniques you could consider are: sticky tape, paper clips, nails, glue, papier-mâché , screws, string, Blu Tac, pegs, folding and wire.
Video or photograph this process.
3. Install and observe
3. Install and observe
Look at the following image of Karla Dickens’ Shrunken Respect and the videos of her work and notice how the artwork is displayed.
A Dickensian Circus – plinth example A
Duration: 00:08A Dickensian Circus – plinth example B
Duration: 00:47Find an object to display your artwork on.
Install your artwork in an outdoor environment.
Photograph and sketch your installed artwork.
Document how people and/or animals interact with the work each day for a week. You may consider taking photographs or shooting short videos.
SHARE
Photograph and video your installation and share it with your teacher.
Congratulations! You have completed this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class.
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
Installation view, 22nd Biennale of Sydney, NIRIN featuring a Dickensian Circus by Karla Dickens, Art Gallery of New South Wales, © Karla Dickens, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Shrunken Respect, © Karla Dickens, 2019, reproduced and communicated with permission.
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