FROM ORNAMENT TO ADORNMENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
learning how to look at art
transforming patterns
visual creativity
analytical skills
changing perspectives
KEYWORDS
Collage
Photography
Painting
Art
Group Work
Museum visit
DURATION
At least 3 sessions of 2-3 hours
SKILLS
storytelling
listening
empathy
visual skills
PREPARATION
Option A Museum visit: Search for a suited museum to go to - take care of special needs of participants, knowledge of the art works in that museum, knowledge of culture and art history.
Option B Neighbourhood walk: Knowledge of the neighbourhood with an eye on the aesthetic environment. Knowledge of patterns in public spaces.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
For the museum visit:
Information to provide the participants with
Museum tickets
Public transport tickets
For the workshop:
paper
pen
pencils
felt-tips
sharpeners
eraser
colours
brushes
cups for water
.DESCRIPTION
Option A: Museum Visit and Collective Painting
1. Preparation: - Find a museum that aligns with the interests of your target audience and the workshop. - Get familiar with the museum, its exhibits, and cultural context. Identify artifacts in the museum that align with the workshop's framework. Understand the art-historical narratives associated with these artifacts and develop study queries based on them.
2. Museum Visit: - Plan a day trip to the museum with your participants. Guide them through the exhibition and lead them towards the artifacts that you have chosen to present. - Give the participants enough free time to explore the museum and encourage them to capture images of artifacts that resonate with them. - Conclude the museum visit by prompting participants to reflect on their experience and encourage them to write about their impressions of the museum and its artwork.
3. Sharing and Discussion: - Let the participants present their impressions from the museum and share their photographs.
4. Individual Analysis and Drawing: - Have participants select one photograph of an artifact from the museum. - Ask them to identify and sketch one specific detail from the chosen artifact on a sheet of paper.
5. Collective Drawing or Painting: - Gather as a group for each participant to present their detail, explaining their choice. - Generate a group collage by incorporating the detailed paintings/drawings and adding further ideas to the paper.
Option B: Neighbourhood Walk and Collective Painting:
1. Preparation: - Find a neighbourhood that aligns with the interests of your target audience and the workshop. - Get familiar with the neighbourhood, its infrastructure, and demographics. Identify patterns, structures, colours, etc. within the neighbourhood that align with the workshop's framework. Understand the art-historical and urban narratives associated with these designs and develop study queries based on them.
2. Neighbourhood Walk: - Plan an excursion to this neighbourhood with your participants. Guide them through the neighbourhood and lead them towards the structures, designs, colours, etc. that you have chosen to present. - Give the participants enough free time to explore the neighbourhood and encourage them to capture images of urban designs that resonate with them. - Conclude the neighbourhood visit by prompting participants to reflect on their experience and encourage them to write about their impressions of the neighbourhood and its urban design.
3. Sharing and Discussion: - Let the participants present their impressions from the excursion and share their photographs.
4. Individual Analysis and Drawing: - Have participants select one photograph of an urban design from the neighbourhood. - Ask them to identify and sketch one specific detail from the chosen design on a sheet of paper.
5. Collective Drawing or Painting: - Gather as a group for each participant to present their detail, explaining their choice. - Generate a group collage by incorporating the detailed paintings/drawings and adding further ideas to the paper. For example, you can create a collage around the idea of how the urban space should look like and which elements of urban design, patterns, colours, shapes should be present in public space.
TIPS AND RECOMMANDATIONS
Option A is a sophisticated approach that includes a financial aspect. It is suitable when working with a particular art historical era or an ethnological culture. On the other hand, Option B does not require an entrance fee and can help to build a special connection between the participants and a specific area within their city. The walk can be barrier-free and is a simple way to share knowledge.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Getting more familiar with public spaces through appropriating them.
Developing an affinity towards colours, patterns, structures and their use in art and design.
Reassembling new patterns and structures.
Transforming knowledge
REFERENCES AND USEFUL SOURCES
Learn more about the activity through the example of our visit to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin
