Thinking about Lynda Benglis as a conceptual artists. I wanted to move away from the traditional canvas, and think about representing an idea in a non-representational way. Here is spray foam, with gold acrylic paint, adhered on black matt board. Mentally, I wanted to design some sort of symbol, that stands for completion, as we are ending this semester. But that is the simple message I wanted to say, nothing more.
http://www.mfa.org/programs/performance-art/lee-mingwei-sonic-blossom
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/03/save-the-bees-mural-project/
https://www.visualnews.com/2013/09/25/immersive-3d-paintings-layers-transparent-film-interview-artist-david-spriggs/
More portraits with collaged papers underneath …
This pre -visualization summarizes my feeling in regards to my classroom environment. The constraints I face on a daily basis seems as it is a repetitive cycle, monitoring student learning and also behavior are real roadblocks. This tree represents growth as an existing infrastructure. The branches are swirling, jagged and crooked as they are represent the lack in resources that are intangible to me in the classroom.
As seen in my previous visualization, (3) the students are represented as actual organic forms, designed by incorporating insulation foam with paint. Here, there are three students represented by the forms, black in color. I think I chose black as they inhabit so many difficulties in their daily lives, learning seems to always be the least priority to them. Many are struggling with emotional problems, drug dependencies and struggle with configuring how to obtain instructional goals.
My future research will explore to further my artistic practice in relation to medical practice. I feel I want to re-visit this visualization. Kevin, could I possibly get some feedback so I may revisit this to polish and unpack further for next week. Thank you!
Brette Higgins
Visualization 3 ( Thinking about what makes up a neuron structure)
Map:
Upper left corner represents my student with AS. He has proven the most difficult to work with which is why I chose the furthest location to place him within the composition.
Top right corner represents my LD student ( furthest green form in the corner as he is often distant and angry but is not much concern behaviorally).
Closet green form ( also in upper right panel, closest to me) represents my ED student. He often remains close to me in the classroom and is proven to be most helpful, engaged and eager throughout the semester.
Bottom left represents my ADHD student, he occupies two forms as he is often very energized and moving. Lately he seems to be occupying two personalities which is why he has conjoined forms.
Bottom right represents myself. I am representing the gray matter of the brain. I stand to represent the cerebrum where most the most complex brain functions occur.
These panels are done on 4 transparencies, I wanted this composition to be more cohesive and appear as one large work. I did try to use a clear acetate sheet as a preliminary execution, however I found that the individual transparencies held ink and spray paint more efficiently. The color green represents misplaced energy.
The surface underneath the transparencies is composed of spray paint, ink, sand, and spray insulation. The granulated areas represent the dendrites that cover brain neurons. The paint splatters were intentionally placed as they are chemical signals received and distributed among the students as they are also received .
I wanted this visualization to point to the demands I feel as the teacher. The attention that these students demand on a regular basis is exhausting. The color red represents the entire neurochemical system. I also wished to vocalize high speed ideas, a flow of messages and a lack of boundaries through unorganized brushstrokes. The green forms are functioning as frontal lobes that essentially receive information from the emotional brain.
My initial idea for this visualization was focused on my progress with four students as I progressed through the final portion of my lesson planning. I chose organic forms and the color green to represent each individual student. The large bubbles can be seen connecting myself to my student with AS who is furthest away in the work. The bubbles are mirror neurons, which imitate what they see. This strategy proved to be an effective tool when I was working with my AS student earlier. We did have a successful beginning, however due to unfortunate circumstances, he has become completely despondent. I would like to continue with more transparency studies, the artwork of both artists Santiago Ramon y Cajal and Greg Dunn have also been an inspiration for my work.
Cajal summarizes many of the properties of astrocytes in this drawing of the hippocampus of a man three hours after death.
( Images above – by artists Santiago Ramon y Cajal, and Greg Dunn)
Here are final finished prints for my ADHD research as part of a printmaking unit ( completed this am) From left to right, Rapper 300, pop artist Rhiana and entrepreneur, Steve Jobs. I have integrated elements of the experimental studio into the art room (as suggested by Wexler) which encourages sensory experiences through material exploration.
Leaving a multitude of studio spaces available in our room for students to engage with has proven particularly successful with this boy. I have an entire area devoted to objects, squeezy things and kooshes, a painting area, reading/ reference area, printmaking area etc. Thinking about his hyperactivity and impusivity, these stations help him organize himself in the morning and allows him control to manage his learning.
The complexity of this students personality is challenging, he is often self adsorbed and often feel as if he is in charge. He can be restlessness and destructive but throughout this unit, he was behaved and appropriate, he especially enjoys the carving process and the ink rolling. I think the printmaking process has really helped to organize his planning procedures, he knows exactly what tools and supplies he needs and can locate them easily. He is allowed to monitor his own behavior through self- evaluation, thus serves to exercise has meta-cognitive skills. He does want to continue with one more pop icon to have a finished series of four… I will post updates.
So, a few of my students placed for awards in this contest, has anyone heard or participated with this venue before, Soul on Fire? I heard through the grapevine that this gallery was previously a florist shop, and also it is only accessible on foot by crossing rt 55…. Im concerned for safety purposes… The opening is Thursday, Im also curious to know what the space may look like or what should I expect? Thank you in advance!
