In this lesson, students will learn about the importance of size and distinguish between life-size and an increased or decreased scale in art. They'll draw a household object in three sizes and turn the drawing into a soft relief sculpture. Art lab lesson plans are presented as PDF files that you can view with the ArtsConnectEd image viewer or download to your computer. Use the Prev/Next buttons to move between the images of a PDF and the actual file.

The Artwork of the Month's activity and label focus on a single work in the Walker's collection and provide entertaining art experiences for young people. You can see an activity with the ArtsConnectEd image viewer or download the PDF file to your computer. Use the Prev/Next buttons to move between images of the PDF and the actual file. About the Artwork Pop Art is inspired by ordinary things from everyday life, or popular culture. Pop artist Claes Oldenburg takes small things and makes them into sculptures that are large-scale, or bigger than life. He has made a 100 foot-high clothespin and a tube of lipstick that is 15 feet tall! Oldenburg likes the way a small object seems much more important when it is a gigantic monument. Monuments are sculptures that are made to honor important people and events. Oldenburg and his wife Coosje Van Bruggen’s Spoonbridge and Cherry shows us something familiar in a new way. The artists transformed small objects into a fantastic outdoor monument – the cherry became a fruit fountain and the spoon was made into a giant bridge reaching over a pond. In contrast to older, more serious monuments such as the Statue of Liberty, this playful Pop sculpture reminds us of the important role of everyday objects in our lives.

Participants learn about the influence of Marcel Duchamp’s ideas on the work of contemporary artists. This activity could be used in the Walker Art Center galleries, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, or in the classroom with a selection of images from Art Collector. The artworks included in the activity are suggestions only and instructors may choose different artworks to accompany the discussion questions. This activity comes from the Popular Culture/Visual Culture section of the Tour Guide Tool Kit.

Popular Culture/Visual Culture Activity Title: The Legacy of Duchamp Theme: Sources and Resources Age: Grades 9–Adult Overview: Participants learn about the influence of Marcel Duchamp’s ideas on the work of contemporary artists. This activity could be used in the Walker Art Center galleries, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, or in the classroom with a selection of images from Art Collector. The artworks included in the activity are suggestions only and instructors may choose different artworks to accompany the discussion questions. Procedure: Setting the Scene Provide participants with a brief description of Marcel Duchamp and some of his main ideas. What was it about Duchamp’s work that so influences and still gains the respect of many contemporary artists? Begin Looking Using the following statements as an introduction, the tour will look at works that have been influenced by Duchamp. Joseph Beuys said: “Duchamp the artist was a good starting point.” Robert Rauschenberg said: “I find [Marcel Duchamp’s] life and work a constant inspiration…. His Bicycle Wheel has always struck me as one of the most beautiful pieces of sculpture I’ve ever seen.” On the tour, show works by contemporary artists who directly refer to Duchamp in their work or whose work is influenced by Duchamp. When discussing each artwork, explain how it connects to Duchamp’s work and ideas. Address how Duchamp’s idea about the “readymade” has influenced artists of today. Ask What aspects of Duchamp’s work or ideas did each artist incorporate into his or her own work? Why do you think so many artists look to Duchamp as an influence? Do you think Duchamp’s ideas are still relevant and original today? Why or why not?     Conclusion Although Marcel Duchamp was active as an artist almost 100 years ago, his influence can still be seen in work by present-day artists. Among Duchamp’s ideas that we discussed, or works of art we looked at, which do you think is the most radical? Why? Of the artworks that we viewed, which one do you think seems to have been most closely influenced by Duchamp? Since we began this tour, has your opinion about either the work and ideas of Marcel Duchamp or the work of contemporary artists changed at all? How? Do you think Duchamp’s readymades should be considered art?  Why or why not? Props: Laminated photos of the following artworks by Marcel Duchamp: •    The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even 1915–1923 •    Bicycle Wheel 1913 •    Bottle Rack 1914 •    Fountain 1917 Tips: This tour would work well with the following works of art: Robert Rauschenberg Trophy II (for Teeny and Marcel Duchamp) 1960 Nam June Paik TV Cello 1971 Sherrie Levine Fountain (after Marcel Duchamp: A.P.) 1991 Joseph Beuys Schlitten (Sled) 1969 Marcel Duchamp Boîte-en-Valise 1941/1966 Fluxus Cabinet Daniel Spoerri 31 Variations on a Meal: Eaten by Bruce Conner 1964 Works by Claes Oldenburg Works by Andy Warhol Works by Jasper Johns

Self-guided tours are thematic instructional materials for student groups experiencing the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on a self-guided visit. All self-guided tours include a Garden map marked with the tour stop locations. Self-guided visits for student groups (10–100 people) can be scheduled using the Tour Request Form (walkerart.org/tourrequestform). You can view the materials with the ArtsConnectEd image viewer or download the PDF files to your computer. Use the Prev/Next buttons to move between the page previews and a link to the actual file. About this Self-Guided Tour This tour will explore a person’s body scale as it relates to life-size and monumental sculptures. Pre-Visit Planning This handout is for the students. Make a copy for each so during the visit they'll have a place to write down answers to the questions. Role of Chaperones Please stay with your group throughout their visit. Talk about the questions with students and offer your own observations.

Self-guided tours are thematic instructional materials for student groups experiencing the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on a self-guided visit. All self-guided tours include a Garden map marked with the tour stop locations. Self-guided visits for student groups (10–100 people) can be scheduled using the Tour Request Form (walkerart.org/tourrequestform). You can view the materials with the ArtsConnectEd image viewer or download the PDF files to your computer. Use the Prev/Next buttons to move between the page previews and a link to the actual file. About this Self-Guided Tour Since the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden opened in 1988, 23 works of art have been commissioned specifically for the site. From fleeting performances boasting live horses and people in flight to sculptures that have become synonymous with the Twin Cities (think cherry on a spoon), much creative and conceptual energy has been put into fostering an outdoor space of contemplation and wonder. This self-guided tour explores a number of the Garden’s commissioned works. Pre-Visit Planning This handout is for the students. Make a copy for each so during the visit they'll have the background on artworks as well as a place for taking notes.