Lesson Overview: Preserve the present and the past for the future. Utlizing clay handbuilding techniques, students will construct a personalized ceramic container, decorate it with images of their interests and fill it with items they value most.
Enduring/Big Idea: Life and culture is documented through art
In a world of technology when everything is changing quickly and people do not always keep digital records, this project provides students a way capture important memories and keep safe valued items from this point in their life for future viewing. This project explores the idea of how people preserve their culture, history and their values through art, artifacts and the use of time capsules. The class will examine how artist Andy Warhol collected items in time capsules that he saw value in and saved them for the future. After viewing a PowerPoint, the students will create their own time capsule featuring raised relief images about things that are important to them now. They will be practice slab handbuilding clay techniques as well as coil, score and slip skills. The goal of this lesson is to teach students that people use art not only as a means of expression but a way to preserve a record of history, culture and their way of life. Pottery is an art form that can be functional and serve as a safe container for objects but can be decorated and feature artistic images on the surfaces as well.
Students will learn how items discovered in the hundreds of time capsules created by artist Andy Warhol can provide insight about the artist, his life, and his artwork.
Students will participate in a large group discussion about time capsules and art and how these items create records preserving history and culture for future generations.
Students will examine as a class how pottery can serve a function like holding and protecting items as well as include decorations or images on the surface.
Students will practice different clay building techniques like slab, coil, slip and score in order to create a triangle box with a lid and handle.
Students will apply their understanding of symbols and clay techniques to create their own personalized time capsule depicting raised relief images about what they currently value, and to protect important items for the future.
Pottery can serve a function or be used to store things as well as feature decoration or artistic images on its surface.
Time capsules can be used to preserve items of value and meaning selected by individuals or a group to be shared with future generations.
Records of history, cultures, and personal experiences can be documented and preserved through artwork and images.
Artists like Andy Warhol can use time capsules to save items they value and to create collections that contain objects for use in future artworks and exhibitions.
Examining and categorizing time capsules created by Andy Warhol provides insight for future generations in understanding the artist’s life, his process, what he valued and the inspiration for his art.
Because art is a form of expression, students will create a ceramic piece that is not only function but communicate about their life. It will also reinforce the idea that artist like the students, can use their personal experience for artistic subject matter. At this point in their lives, the middle school students are starting to explore the idea of who the are. The time capsule questionnaire brainstorming activities will help to facilitate these connections by having the students identify what is important to the them.
A criteria rubric was used to evaluate individual student performance and understanding by reviewing final products and requiring self reflection. Click the link below to view:
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triangle time capsules
