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I always appreciate being forced to go to the art gallery. I just think that it is so out of the norm from what I would normally do in my own life due to my own personal influences. I believe that it really takes somebody to take you some place new, or perhaps you have the fortune to stumble across new things in your life. I have been to the Two Rivers Art Gallery twice now since the start of the program and I enjoyed myself a lot each time. I wonder now, how often they change their shows.
There was one piece that I liked, which was the one that looked like a kaleidoscope image. It was made on a computer from digital photos that were taken of trees. The images were altered to make patterns that were meant to look like totems. I thought the final product looked amazing, because I was able to stare at the image for a long time to see new things within the design. The piece was meant to represent the clear cuts that are scattered across B.C.'s landscape. The clear cuts sometimes make patterns on the land that are damaging to the ecosystem, and they disrupt the balance of life. The images can provoke thoughts about clear cuts, simply because the images are made of wood they are made into intricate patterns; and the fact that the print was given a clear cut theme. This allows the audience to take those elements and create something with them in their own mind. The artist has presented what their intention is with the piece, and given the audience something to look at and work with, and the rest is up to the voyeur. This is similar to a process in teaching. You make your intention clear, present material for the student to work with, and allow them to make meaning through guidance.
I also would like to comment on the beheading. I really liked the fact that the host brought up the fact that children are looking at some pretty gruesome things online and becoming desensitized to brutal images on the computer. I do not know what is out there, as I do not have interests in looking at really brutal things like "Faces of Death" or anything like this. I am not, however, ignorant to its existence and I think that all parents should be aware of these types of things on the internet. It brought about my renewed awareness of these things and for that I am grateful.
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I really like your connection of art to teaching. I think this is a really interesting way to think about art and teaching. Thank you, Tyler!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your thoughtful commentary on the one piece of art about the trees - such a pleasure to read because of the level of thinking and the expertise with which you communicate. I also appreciate your mentioning the importance of our awareness, as educators and parents, of violent images that are available to children. Depression in our society is increasing...do you think there could be a link? I remember how sad it made me feel once when I saw a department store window with mannequins dressed very cool and all holding handguns. Why do we think tough is cool? As teachers, we may have learned to protect ourselves by choosing to associate with the good in the world - it can be a very positive lifestyle - but yes, awareness of the lives our students lead is an important responsibility.
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