Craft
Wednesday May 13
Monday May 11
"Pull, pull on the contraction. Do not cave in. And the contraction is not a position. It is a movement into something. It is like a pebble thrown into the water, which makes rippling circles when it hits the water. The contraction moves."
Martha Graham, 1991
Friday May 8
Click on the link below to watch a 1969 film of Jim Henson sharing his craft:
Tuesday May 5
Monday May 4
Knowing how to tie many kinds of knots can be very useful. Here is a pretty good animated guide:
Friday May 1
Thursday April 30
Basketry
Baskets are made in most of the places that people live, and there is evidence that all ancient civilizations produced baskets. Each basket pictured here had come out a a specific basket making tradition. While the maker may have introduces a new material, or developed an innovative technique, the understanding of how to create these baskets is held by the culture.
Each one comes from a different place, but all have some things in common. While it would be far better if we were sitting together and passing these baskets around, examining their structures, feeling their textures, knowing their weight, and judging their strength, what can you learn from these pictures?
What do you think that each basket is made from?
How large might each of them actually be?
When were they made? By who? What for?
Do you have a favorite?
Do you have any baskets in you home?
If so, what are they used for?
Where did they come from?
What are they made from?
You can learn more about basket making traditions and you may want to learn how to make them yourself.
Wednesday April 29th
Origami Boat
This style of boat should be able to float in even the smallest puddle or pool of water. You can follow the folding directions to construct a boat like this out of thin paper, and see if you can find a watery place to put it.
How long do you think that a boat like this would stay afloat? Would the size of the boat effect its strength and ability to stay upright?
Do you know how to making another kind of paper boat or Origami that would also stay afloat in water? Is there a style of Origami boat that is strong enough to carry weight without sinking or turning over?
Tuesday April 28th
Scissors are important tools for craftspeople. Here are some kinds of scissors that you might find in different places. Do any of these scissors look familiar to you, are there some types that you many not have seen before? What do you notice about the design of various types, the shapes of the handle and the blades. If you did not know the names of these scissors, would you know who and what they were for?
Monday April 27
This is a drawing made to guide the building of a log cabin. There are many things to be learned from drawing like these, and many people can make use of this same drawing as a plan for their own project.
Draw or write a plan for the construction of something. Make the plan in a way that will be easy for someone else to build, like a recipe that can be followed step by step. Does the plan have a name? Do you need to include a materials list?
When your plan is complete, go back through each step to be sure that it is understandable and invite someone else to use your plan.
Friday April 24
Burls
Many wonderful crafts require the use of trees. Much can be from different parts of a tree, and experienced woodworkers get to know all about them and have great respect and understanding of their life cycles, physiology, how trees can be harvested responsibly, and what can be created from a particular species of tree.
Woodworkers will seek out different trees for different projects. They may need the straightness and softness of a Pine, or the strong structure and beautiful grain of a Maple. Still other craftspeople may be on the look out for trees for other reasons.
The growth of the tree in this picture has been effected by something. Do you have an idea of what it is? Have you ever noticed a tree with similar irregular bumps on its trunk? This abnormal growth is called a burl, and you can find out about what created them and find out more about the very beautiful objects that craftspeople have learned how to make from them.
Do you happen to have something that is made from a tree burl in your home? Do you know a woodworker or craftsperson who has made something out of a burl, or a brach, root, bark, leaves or seeds of a tree?
How can you find out more about woodworking and crafts the come from trees from home?
Thursday April 23
Questions About Craft:
What is craft?
Where is craft?
In what room of the house will you see craft?
In which workplaces?
What is important about craft?
How are craft and art related?
Practicing a Craft:
Have a conversation with someone about craft, see how many examples of craft you can think of together, share what you know, and what you would like to know.
Take time to learn about a new craft.
Make time to practice your craft.
Teach someone something that you have discovered from your craft.
Wednesday April 22
You can watch this art conservationist working to restore this Painting by Henry Ranger, and then tell someone something about the process. (Sorry in advance about the youtube ads)
Did you watch the entire video? Was it worth your time?
Was it interesting? What about it was interesting?
Were you surprised by anything about the process?
Would you recommend that someone else watch it? Who?
If you would like to write a review if this video, or share thoughts about the importance of taking care of art, you can email Annie: Astone@nnms.org