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4th Grade: The Immortals
Mythology: Greek / African Influence
Permission to explore Greek mythology through the Arts??...not a protest was heard! Students embark on a metaphoric journey, comparing two distinct cultures--Greek and African--from different time periods in history to note 'archetypes' of human behavior, like a mirror, reflecting different sides of ourselves. Heroes and heroines represent archetypes of the strong part in each of us striving for perfection; while goblins, dragons, and serpents signify archetypes of the deeper, darker parts of our personalities that feel dangerous to us. Transformation, heroism, rebirth, courage, love, struggle, hope, fate and immortality are common threads explored through various art mediums, beginning in Africa with the symbolism of the butterfly. Students observe the mesmerizing wing patterns that have entranced artists for centuries, noting African representations of the butterfly with their bold, geometric patterns and primal features that abstract the physical resemblance, yet speak to the transformative nature of this species--to awaken and open oneself up to change. Using the printmaking method, students design their own fanciful organic and geometric butterflies through graphic variations in line, shape and positive and negative space. Exploring the theme of 'transformation' further, students shift to Greek mythology-- inspired by the story of Thetis, a shape-shifting Sea Goddess forced to marry a mortal to circumvent a prophecy that would dismantle Zeus's reign. Students create gold paper medallions with stylized Greek motifs, then overlay silhouetted-Greek figures in the process of shape-shifting to reveal two or three sides of themselves. From gold medallions to playful sculpture, students explore texture, form and proportion in a theatrical way. Selecting their favorite Greek God or Goddess, students sculpt defining features of their immortal into an original chess-piece. Students learn how to extrude elements of the face with clay tools to capture the essence of their deity as a powerful head piece atop a chess bass. Students then paint their sculptures to resemble granite or marble stone, and overlay dynamic patterns and accents in gold and black to complete their playful designs. Placing the cast of Greek Immortals (from each class) on a chess board provides the perfect grand finale to this art project!
The all-grade level culminating art project turns a child's mythological scrutiny inwards. After hearing the folk tale, The Elephant and the Blind Men, that reminds us that our own perceptions are, in-part, mythical, students create meaningful mandalas that emphasize the 'specialness and uniqueness of Self' at its center. Using personal, symbolic treasures placed at the heart of their art piece, students then trace radial-symmetric patterns onto tie-dyed, translucent gauze-fabric through carbon sheets, then overlay gold fabric-paint to create an embossed effect that reveals an overall 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 Fourth Grade art course described above. Students exploit the expressive power of line, shape, pattern and texture to reveal figures of transformative beauty, strength, grace and nobility.
Artwork shown: 4th grade students from Marengo Elementary; Arroyo Vista Elementary
4th Grade: The Immortals
Mythology: Greek / African Influence
Permission to explore Greek mythology through the Arts??...not a protest was heard! Students embark on a metaphoric journey, comparing two distinct cultures--Greek and African--from different time periods in history to note 'archetypes' of human behavior, like a mirror, reflecting different sides of ourselves. Heroes and heroines represent archetypes of the strong part in each of us striving for perfection; while goblins, dragons, and serpents signify archetypes of the deeper, darker parts of our personalities that feel dangerous to us. Transformation, heroism, rebirth, courage, love, struggle, hope, fate and immortality are common threads explored through various art mediums, beginning in Africa with the symbolism of the butterfly. Students observe the mesmerizing wing patterns that have entranced artists for centuries, noting African representations of the butterfly with their bold, geometric patterns and primal features that abstract the physical resemblance, yet speak to the transformative nature of this species--to awaken and open oneself up to change. Using the printmaking method, students design their own fanciful organic and geometric butterflies through graphic variations in line, shape and positive and negative space. Exploring the theme of 'transformation' further, students shift to Greek mythology-- inspired by the story of Thetis, a shape-shifting Sea Goddess forced to marry a mortal to circumvent a prophecy that would dismantle Zeus's reign. Students create gold paper medallions with stylized Greek motifs, then overlay silhouetted-Greek figures in the process of shape-shifting to reveal two or three sides of themselves. From gold medallions to playful sculpture, students explore texture, form and proportion in a theatrical way. Selecting their favorite Greek God or Goddess, students sculpt defining features of their immortal into an original chess-piece. Students learn how to extrude elements of the face with clay tools to capture the essence of their deity as a powerful head piece atop a chess bass. Students then paint their sculptures to resemble granite or marble stone, and overlay dynamic patterns and accents in gold and black to complete their playful designs. Placing the cast of Greek Immortals (from each class) on a chess board provides the perfect grand finale to this art project!
The all-grade level culminating art project turns a child's mythological scrutiny inwards. After hearing the folk tale, The Elephant and the Blind Men, that reminds us that our own perceptions are, in-part, mythical, students create meaningful mandalas that emphasize the 'specialness and uniqueness of Self' at its center. Using personal, symbolic treasures placed at the heart of their art piece, students then trace radial-symmetric patterns onto tie-dyed, translucent gauze-fabric through carbon sheets, then overlay gold fabric-paint to create an embossed effect that reveals an overall 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 Fourth Grade art course described above. Students exploit the expressive power of line, shape, pattern and texture to reveal figures of transformative beauty, strength, grace and nobility.
Artwork shown: 4th grade students from Marengo Elementary; Arroyo Vista Elementary
Project 1: Printmaking-- African Butterflies
Project 2: Paper Collage-- Greek Medallions
Project 3: Clay Sculpture-- The Greek Immortals... as Chess Pieces
Project 4: Investigating Mandalas
