Express & Observe

The Studio Habits of Mind that will be explored in this unit are Express and Observe.

To express ourselves as artists we must learn to create works that convey an idea (an aim or purpose), message (an important point or theme), feeling (an emotion or belief), or personal meaning (an intended communication of personal importance). Expression is created by artists through the use of symbolism, metaphor, and personal beliefs and experiences. Artists use various artistic conventions to show their ideas, messages, feelings, and personal meanings.

To observe as an artist we must learn to go beyond normal looking. Observation starts with seeing things exactly as they are and appreciating it as such. Deeper observation, the type practiced by artists, sees things very closely, notices the details that are not immediately seen, and recognizes the subtlety of what is being observed. True observation also notices the messages that are being expressed by what is being observed as well as the hidden messages too.

Just as in develop craft, the ability for an artist to deeply observe and express themselves through their work takes repeated practice.

Miss Malina

Riccardo Biavati

Adam Nathaniel Furman

Keith Schneider

What ideas, messages, feelings, or personal meanings are being expressed through various symbols, metaphors, and artistic conventions by the artists in these pieces? What can be observed in the work to aid in this?

Artistic Concept

A concept is an abstract idea. Artists use different concepts to take those ideas from abstraction to reality. The concept being explored through the lens of the Studio Habits - Express and Observe is Symbolism and Metaphor.

Symbolism and Metaphor refers to an artist's use of visuals that stand for or mean something other than their literal definition. Artists have a goal or an idea that they want to communicate - this is called their intent. To communicate their intent they use widely accepted visual symbols in an artwork including objects, figures, and even colors. An artwork that is comprised of symbols and metaphors creates a theme - or big idea - that an artist is passionate about and wants to share with their viewers.

Elements of Art & Design

The elements and principles of art and design are the foundation on which all art is created. They can be thought of like a sentence. There has to be words in order to make a sentence; no words, no sentence. The elements of art are like the words. Without the elements - line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form - there is no art. That doesn't mean that all elements of art must be used in an individual artwork, just like not every word has to be used in a sentence, but at least one must be present.

Express & Observe will focus on the following elements of art & design:

Line

Discover some interesting aspects of the element of art & design: line

What did you learn about line and how might you use that knowledge in this piece?

Line Guided Notes

Principles of Art & Design

If we think of the elements and principles of art & design like a sentence, with the words being a metaphor for the elements, then the principles of art & design are the ways in which the words are arranged. The way in which you arrange the words of a sentence dictates the feel and meaning of it. More descriptive words, and the sentence gives more detail; less words, and the sentence reads sharp or abrupt. The principles of art and design are the way in which an artwork is arranged. Does it appear uneasy, or relaxed? Without the principles of design - pattern and repetition, contrast, movement, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and unity - an artwork would not have a unique look and personality to it. The principles of art and design are more subjective as well. This means that they can be viewed and interpreted by one person differently than they are viewed and interpreted by another.

Express & Observe will focus on the following principles of art & design:

Balance

Discover interesting aspects of the principle of art & design: balance. Explore different ways to create balance and unbalance in a composition in the round.

How does symmetrical balance look in a ceramic form? How does asymmetrical balance look in a ceramic form? How does radial balance look in a ceramic form? Sketch a quick example of each.

What did you learn about balance and how might you use that knowledge in this piece?

Balance Guided Notes

Composition

Composition refers to the arrangement of the elements of art & design according to the principles of art & design in any given artwork.

Composition is the key to creating a strong, aesthetically pleasing artwork in any medium. This video explores how the guidelines of creating a strong composition can be applied to 3D forms or objects to be viewed in the round. It focuses on contemporary sculpture and negative space.

What did you learn about the importance of negative space in sculpture through the video? How might you use these techniques in your own piece?

Artistic Conventions

A convention is an accepted way in which something is done. It's a variety of things that artists do to create a piece of artwork. Artists use their knowledge of the numerous different artistic conventions with corresponding methods and techniques to portray meaning in an artwork.

Each Studio Habit of Mind will explore different artistic conventions. In this example, the artist is using the artistic conventions that this unit will explore - negative space and visual storytelling. Negative space can be seen in numerous places in this piece. There is negative space between the bears face and the bunny sitting on its feet. There is also negative space all around the sculpture. Visual Storytelling can be seen in the characters and how they are interacting with each other. The viewer is left to ponder what they animals represent and why they are posed in such a way.

Negative Space

This convention refers to the artist's ability to effectively use the "blank" or "empty" space in an artwork to create visual interest. Negative space is just as important as filled, or positive space.

Visual Storytelling

This convention refers to an artist's ability to use symbols - in the form of figurative or abstract visuals - to communicate a narrative with their viewer.

Artist Connection

Robert Arneson

Robert Arneson was a sculptor, painter, and printmaker and one of the most important and well known ceramic artists working in the field. He is known for his ceramic works that convey a strong sense of humor, self reflection, and strong political points of view. He is called the father of Funk Art, a movement in art that upholds humor, the use of found objects, and subject matter that is autobiographical. He uses sculptural ceramic work to create pieces that communicate ideas about identity and strongly held beliefs.

Class Discussion

How does Arneson's body of work relate to this project?

How can you imagine using the key characteristics of their work in your own?

Getting Started

Ceramic Identity Totem

PINCH POT IDENTITY TOTEM

Begin by sketching three different identity totems. The sketches you create can either be of the same three objects stacked with each other in three unique ways, be three unique objects in each of the three sketches, or be a combination of both ways of sketching. Make sure to consider negative space in your piece and visual storytelling - the final design should tell the viewer a narrative about you.

How to:

The basics

Wedging

Pinching

Attaching: Slip and Score

Make each object in your identity totem individually - from beginning until finished detail. While you are working on the next piece, keep the ones that you have finished wrapped in damp paper towels, and stored in a sealed bag. Work in this way until all three objects in your identity totem are complete. Once all are complete stack them together in a way that also speaks to your identity as an individual. After all piece are stacked together you will begin the initial glazing process called sgraffito.

Instructor Example

Follow along as the instructor makes an identity totem.

Glazing: Sgraffito

Learn how to apply underglaze to a form and then use the sgraffito process of carving away areas to leave the raw clay exposed underneath.

Objectives

National Art Standards

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