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1st Grade: Water Spirits of The Deep
Mythology: Japanese Influence
Students take a closer look at the wonder and possibility of watery spirits from the deep that have shaped Japanese myths for centuries--like gilded treasures flowing beneath the the waking surface of life--just waiting to be plucked to reveal their awesome power. Mythical creatures, such as Namazu the giant Japanese catfish that can shake the earth with its thrashing tail, have been the subject of magnificent Japanese silk-screen paintings; or, the ephemeral Koi fish-- symbols of good luck gliding through the mirky water; or, the distinguished Hina Doll-- a decorative Japanese doll created to carry one's troubles or bad spirits away as they float out to sea in an annual ritual giving a fresh start to the new spring for the children of Japan, known as Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival). "To understand water, ancient poets believed, one must study the fishes; to understand a fish, one must study water." Students explore this wise adage through various art mediums: from gold-foil reliefs of Koi fish in fluid motion; to painting and paper collaging a turbulent sea (inspired by Katsushika Hokusai's majestic 'Great Waves of Kanagawa'), that places a silver-and-gold patterned silhouette of a sea creature at the heart of the turbulence; to the 3-dimensional construction of a Hina Doll-inspired 'Sea Spirit' made of clay, wooden sticks and colorful fibers that is embedded with a secret worry to ease the artist's mind.
The all-grade level culminating art project turns a child's mythological scrutiny inwards. After hearing the empowering story, The Dot, students create meaningful mandalas that emphasize the 'specialness and uniqueness of Self' at its center. Using personal, symbolic treasures, shells, and flower petals, students affix those elements onto tie-dyed, translucent gauze-fabric in radial-symmetric patterns to reveal visual balance and unity. Each child's mandala represents a constructed mythology that stems outwards from the 'SELF' to the roots of family and community beyond.
*The Gallery Artwork below sequentially takes you through the First Grade art course described above. Students blend art and imagination in the most thought-proking and poignant ways...
Artwork shown: 1st grade students from Marengo Elementary; Arroyo Vista Elementary
1st Grade: Water Spirits of The Deep
Mythology: Japanese Influence
Students take a closer look at the wonder and possibility of watery spirits from the deep that have shaped Japanese myths for centuries--like gilded treasures flowing beneath the the waking surface of life--just waiting to be plucked to reveal their awesome power. Mythical creatures, such as Namazu the giant Japanese catfish that can shake the earth with its thrashing tail, have been the subject of magnificent Japanese silk-screen paintings; or, the ephemeral Koi fish-- symbols of good luck gliding through the mirky water; or, the distinguished Hina Doll-- a decorative Japanese doll created to carry one's troubles or bad spirits away as they float out to sea in an annual ritual giving a fresh start to the new spring for the children of Japan, known as Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival). "To understand water, ancient poets believed, one must study the fishes; to understand a fish, one must study water." Students explore this wise adage through various art mediums: from gold-foil reliefs of Koi fish in fluid motion; to painting and paper collaging a turbulent sea (inspired by Katsushika Hokusai's majestic 'Great Waves of Kanagawa'), that places a silver-and-gold patterned silhouette of a sea creature at the heart of the turbulence; to the 3-dimensional construction of a Hina Doll-inspired 'Sea Spirit' made of clay, wooden sticks and colorful fibers that is embedded with a secret worry to ease the artist's mind.
The all-grade level culminating art project turns a child's mythological scrutiny inwards. After hearing the empowering story, The Dot, students create meaningful mandalas that emphasize the 'specialness and uniqueness of Self' at its center. Using personal, symbolic treasures, shells, and flower petals, students affix those elements onto tie-dyed, translucent gauze-fabric in radial-symmetric patterns to reveal visual balance and unity. Each child's mandala represents a constructed mythology that stems outwards from the 'SELF' to the roots of family and community beyond.
*The Gallery Artwork below sequentially takes you through the First Grade art course described above. Students blend art and imagination in the most thought-proking and poignant ways...
Artwork shown: 1st grade students from Marengo Elementary; Arroyo Vista Elementary
Project 1: Gold Reliefs-- Mystical Koi Fish
Project 2: Painting / Collage-- Namazu-inspired earthshakers
Project 3: Clay Sculpture-- Hina Dolls
