Week #2 - The Suggestion of Memory

Kimberly Escalante

ArtEd 478

Dr. Graham

1/22/17

Week #2 – The Suggestion of Memory

Image:

Readymade

Rebecca Campbell

2014, oil on canvas, 108" x 69 1/2"

Encounter explanation:

            I ran into several paintings of different sizes similar to this one at BYU’s Museum of Art. Many of these paintings use photographs for references. They all include a level of specific details, yet all have an unfinished/blurry look to them. Some of them have a little bit of color underneath the image. They look slightly ghostly because of this style, but it’s clear that the artist is interacting with the notion of recreating memories – whether they belong to her or someone else.

Objective(s):

·      Recreate a memory through painting

·      Be familiar with acrylic paint/wet media

Lesson:

·      Vocabulary: Representational, Memory, Nostalgia, Monochromatic

·      Explore possibilities of recreating memories through painting

·      Introduce Rebecca Campbell and her artwork pertaining to memory and recreating photographs

·      Discuss sentiment and its role in art – how can it be successful?

·      Discussion: Why would Campbell leave these paintings with an “unfinished” look? How does it benefit her concept? What other strategies does she use? What role might size have play in her art?

·      Demo on acrylic paint and monochromatic value scales.

Activities:

·      Before this lesson, the students will find photographs that resonate with them in some way. They don’t have to know the people in the photograph, but they must use photographs from within their family. Bring paper copies of the photo, not the actual image – just to be safe.

·      Pre-Assignment activity: Develop a monochromatic value scale

·      Assignment: Paint out one (or a combination of the photos) in such a way that depicts memory rather than an actual representation. Use acrylic on an art board about 8”x10.” Spend at least 6 hours on this assignment. Paint using a monochromatic value scale.

Formative Assessment:

·      How much time was put into the assignment?

·      How did the student engage the photo?

·      Is there clarity in the painting while maintaining a sort of vagueness?

Enduring Notion:

·      Art can be connected to psychology by portraying how something is remembered.

Sources:

http://www.rebeccacampbell.net/#/2013-2014/