Artist Collaboration From “Me to “We”

1. Artist CollaborationFrom “Me to “We” • We want students to understand the idea of collaboration, or artists working together. • Our lesson plan is 10 class periods long, is based on group work. It will include the following elements: • An introductory lecture and video that demonstrates collaborative work. • Individual research papers on master artist styles. • A group teaching activity and reflective writing. • Vocabulary Quiz with Essay Question. • Groups will collaborate on 3 pieces of artwork and have daily mini conferences with the teacher. • The lesson culminates with an organized individual portfolio as well as a group art portfolio.

2. AssignmentCalendar

3. Online Content • Part of our project involves creating a blog that will help students stay organized. Here they can find lesson plans, rubrics, calendars and links to helpful sites… • This gives them an additional way to access information, ask questions and interact with their art class community!

4. Day 1Highlights of the Intro Powerpoint Our introductory lesson includes a powerpoint presentation that outlines the idea of collaboration as an artist. “Rugged individualism” vs. collaboration Collaborations can be a group of artists each having a special knowledge…for example: a sculptor and a photographer. A collaboration where artists work together fully from concept to a finished product. Artists that collaborate as a back and forth, they react to each other visually. A great example of this is mail art.

5. Artists can collaborate by reacting to each other in an artwork. When the artwork is finished, does it really belong to either artist individually? Collaboration often raises questions of “authorship”.

6. Exquisite Corpse This ongoing collaborative project is based on a drawing technique called “Exquisite Corpse.” The technique was invented by Surrealists in 1925 and is based on an old parlor game in which players write in turn on a sheet of paper, fold it to conceal part of the writing, and then pass it to the next player for a further contribution.

7. Wouldn’t it be great to see a video about collaboration? Collaborations: Before & After

8. AssignmentCalendar

9. Research Project Day 2-5 • Students will be graded on a rubric. • Students will have 2 library days to complete the project. • Mini conferences with the teacher. • We will go through a detailed explanation of the project and offer handouts to students in their binders. • All of the information will be available in the binders and online.

10. Day 5- Group Teaching Group Teaching The groups of three will teach each other about their artist. Take what you know….. Teach it to someone else! Each student will have about 10 minutes to teach their group about their artist in their own words. The students will then write a reflection about the artists they learned about and brainstorm a possible collaboration between their artists and one that they learned about during the activity.

11. Now that the students know a little about collaboration and have brushed up on individual master artists and styles, let’s talk collaboration and put it into practice! How’s about another rousing video about the collaborative process?! Days 6-9

12. Part III. GROUP ART PROJECT Students will be assigned into groups of three. After each being given a 12x12” piece of FoamCor, each member will decide on a theme. The projects will rotate to each member for three days for them to add to the theme. The students each have to use at least one different media each day. Each day, we will take pictures of each project. The purpose of this is to show the evolution of the project and determine each persons contribution. 3 Art Projects with 3 different Themes 3 Days to Work Digital Photos to show the Collaborative Process. Final Reflection about the Collaborative Process. Professional Presentation showing the evolution of the projects

13. The finished portfolio presentation format might look something like this: Final Group Project: Theme 1, Theme 2, Theme 3 2 3 Day 10 Odessa Brittany Simon 2 3 Brittany Simon Odessa 2 3 Simon Brittany Odessa It will be labeled with each students name to mark their contribution and list the beginning theme.

14. What’s the point?

15. Collaboration is a group effort to create artworks. There are pros and cons to this method of visual expression but it can be a powerful tool that creates expressive art. Having many artists can contribute to an exciting visual piece with a strong thematic element. • Students will get practice in visually communicating a thematic idea in a unique way. This lesson will teach students to react to a certain theme visually but also to each other.

16. There will be a final reflection on their opinion of ownership. As a review, here are some discussion Points: • Students are asked to consider possible benefits and pitfalls of collaboration. Where they different in practice or similar? • Were there problems dividing the responsibilities of a group project even while working individually? What did you like or not like? • How do you think this might be useful in the future? Can artistic concepts be enhanced by multiple artists and styles? • Do your pieces show a strong thematic idea? Do you think the thematic element is strengthened by collaboration or hindered? Are there elements that become the focal point or an individual artistic technique? • What do you think about the question of ownership?

17. You’ve been great folks! Give yourselves a hand and get out there and collaborate!