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Ceremonial Skirt (20th Century Cotton and synthetic materials H. 25 inches, W. 35 in. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hartwell 82.138 MIA |
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Our group used a Hmong skirt from the Artsnet web site as our example.
The question we posed: "Is art wearable?"
I thought that it would be interesting to have a group rather than one child for my project. I also wanted to be very limited in my explanation of the assignment; my goal was to have as little input into the process of their creation. I showed the children the printed copy of the Hmong skirt. I explained that it was designed and worn specifically for the New Year holiday and that the skirt's design had a very symbolic meaning. The skirts are made by young Hmong girls and wom on their New Year. The very intricate designs on the skirt symbolize the good fortunes of the past and the future.
My parameters:
I told the children to think of a holiday they now celebrate, or I allowed them to make one up. I told them they must create a piece of wearable art and that they must be able to explain it's symbolic meaning. I also allowed them to decide for themselves if they would work as a group or individually. They had access to lots of art supplies, but I did not tell them what to use-only that they could use what ever they wanted.
The children decided they would celebrate the first snowfall of winter. They sewed a mitten out of scraps of material and decorated it with fabric paints. The mitt itself symbolized winter, and the designs were of winter activities and things you generally see in a snowfall. They said the reason we celebrate winter is because nature goes to sleep and rests. It gives people a chance to rest too. This was what I was after. They came up with everything on their own, I merely asked questions which helped them to think of solutions.
Student Response: Erin, Thomas, Alex, Eric
Mentor: Kris Sanders- Bemidji State University Elementary Education Major
The question we posed: "Is art wearable?"
I thought that it would be interesting to have a group rather than one child for my project. I also wanted to be very limited in my explanation of the assignment; my goal was to have as little input into the process of their creation. I showed the children the printed copy of the Hmong skirt. I explained that it was designed and worn specifically for the New Year holiday and that the skirt's design had a very symbolic meaning. The skirts are made by young Hmong girls and wom on their New Year. The very intricate designs on the skirt symbolize the good fortunes of the past and the future.
My parameters:
I told the children to think of a holiday they now celebrate, or I allowed them to make one up. I told them they must create a piece of wearable art and that they must be able to explain it's symbolic meaning. I also allowed them to decide for themselves if they would work as a group or individually. They had access to lots of art supplies, but I did not tell them what to use-only that they could use what ever they wanted.
The children decided they would celebrate the first snowfall of winter. They sewed a mitten out of scraps of material and decorated it with fabric paints. The mitt itself symbolized winter, and the designs were of winter activities and things you generally see in a snowfall. They said the reason we celebrate winter is because nature goes to sleep and rests. It gives people a chance to rest too. This was what I was after. They came up with everything on their own, I merely asked questions which helped them to think of solutions.
Student Response: Erin, Thomas, Alex, Eric
Mentor: Kris Sanders- Bemidji State University Elementary Education Major