Art As Self

~ This lesson has been developed within a 12th Grade High School Art Curriculum. The curriculum is also posted above ~

Teacher: Bryan Rice
Grade Level: 10th – 12th Grade
Title: Art as Self

Brief History/ Background:
The self-portrait has been used by critics and artists alike to serve as a psychological and metaphorical representation of the self. As artists, we need to seek to understand the many methods in which artists choose to represent themselves. In order to do this, we will be looking at the myriad different methods used in self-portraiture. Following our discussions, I will present the terms representation, trace and symbol to the class, and we will engage in a dialogue regarding the meanings of these words in relation to the arts. We will then use the ideas of representation, trace and symbol in conjunction with different technical media to explore self-portraiture.


Standards:
9.1.12 A/ B/ C/ D/ E/ J/ K
9.2.12 A/ B/ C/ F/ G/ I/ K/ L
9.3.12 A/ B/ C/ E/ F/ G
9.4.12 A/ D


Goal:
To create 3 self-portraits using very different approaches and media.

Objectives: Students will:
1. Identify various self-portraits made throughout Art History
2. Compare the different methods of representation used by different artists
3. Identify the basic measurements of the human head and face
4. Use these measurements to make a representational self-portrait using pencil
5. Using both digital and traditional media, create a self-portrait based on the idea of
trace
6. Study and compare various symbolic and/or non-representational self-portraits
throughout Art History
7. Create a symbolic/ non-representational self-portrait using mixed media and/or
collaged materials
8. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences of each of your pieces

Requirements: Students will:
- Create a representational self-portrait
- Create a self-portrait based on the idea of trace
- Create a symbolic/ non-representational self-portrait

Supplies/ Materials:
1. Pencils
2. Sketchbook
3. Paper
4. Magazines
5. Miscellaneous collage materials
6. Acrylic paint
7. Brushes
8. Palettes
9. Rags
10. Erasers
11. Glue (spray adhesive)
12. Mirrors

Resource Materials/ Visual Aids:
- Projector
- Internet
- InDesign/ Photoshop
- Printers
- Art History Books

Teacher Preparation:
- Prepare a power point which discusses each type of self-portrait with examples
- Gather supplies
- Gather and test resource materials
- Optional (have exemplar for each type of self-portrait)

Introduction:
We will begin this lesson by looking at many different examples of self-portraiture and discuss the differences/ similarities between them. I will then present each term to the class (representation, trace, symbol), and we will discuss what these terms mean as well as what they mean in relation to self-portraiture.

Directions:
- Create a representational self-portrait on 18x24” paper with pencil/graphite
- Create a self-portrait based on the idea of trace, using both digital and traditional media (size undetermined)
- Create a symbolic/ non-representational self-portrait using mixed media and/or collaged materials (size/dimension undetermined)

Closure:
We will have various class critiques of our work, and during these critiques we will discuss the different modes of representing ‘the self.’ How is each method successful? How is each method lacking? How can these methods be combined? How are they similar/different? What does this tell us about art-making? What does this tell us about ourselves?

Critique/ Evaluation/ Assessment:
- Rubric/ Critique/ Proposal/ Self Reflective Writing

Extensions:
- Art Extension Questions/ Formal Written Critiques

Time Budget:
Day 1
- 20 minutes – Presentation and discussion of lesson
- 30 minutes – Sketching and writing ideas
Day 2
- 5 minutes – Review
- 45 minutes – Begin Representational drawings
Day 3
- 50 minutes – Continue working on representational drawings/ think about next portion of assignment
Day 4
- 50 minutes – Continue working on representational drawings/ begin working on proposal for next assignment
Day 5
- 50 minutes – Finish working on representational drawings/ write out and hand in proposal for next project
Day 6
- 50 minutes – Class critique/ sketching
Day 7
- 50 minutes – Begin working on trace projects
Day 8
- 50 minutes – Continue working on trace projects
Day 9
- 50 minutes – Continue working on trace projects/ begin thinking about next project
Day 10
- 50 minutes – Continue working on trace projects/ begin writing proposal for next project
Day 11
- 50 minutes – Class critique/ sketching
Day 12
- 50 minutes – Continue working on trace projects/ hand in proposal for next project
Day 13
- 50 minutes – Begin gathering materials and working on symbol projects
Day 14
- 50 minutes – Continue working on symbols projects
Day 15
- 50 minutes – Continue working on symbols projects
Day 16
- 50 minutes – Continue working on symbols projects
Day 17
- 50 minutes – Continue working on symbols projects
Day 18
- 50 minutes – Class critique/ sketching


Vocabulary:
- Representation: portrayal, picture, rendering in visible form
- Trace: evidence that a place was occupied at one time
o E.g. an impression left on a pillow
- Symbol: an image(s) that represents someone or something

Safety Concerns:
Be sensitive to the ideas and feelings of everyone in the classroom. We are here to develop creative expression and expansive thinking; ignorance in any form will not be tolerated.