Article Beyond Food & Fiestas
Practical ideas for creating authentic cultural experiences for your students.
In this 6-8 lesson, students will apply the concepts of symbolic representation to create “identity boxes” representative of their internal and external selves. They will research and explore the work of artists Lucas Samaras and Joseph Cornell to gain a deeper understanding of their use of objects and symbols in “portrait” boxes.
Students will:
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Prior to beginning this lesson, familiarize yourself with and artwork, their themes of personal identity, and their use of objects and symbols. Note the concepts of literal identity or representational portraits and symbolic identity, and that this lesson deals with both of these concepts (i.e. the external and internal identity of a person). The box that the students will create is symbolic in that the outside of the box represents the external self and the inside of the box represents the internal self, or what one is choosing to reveal. Explore the to build background knowledge.
Familiarity with self-portraits and the concept of individual identity.
Provide assistive technologies during research and the art-making process. Allow sufficient space for movement around the room.
Original Writer
Barbara Gardner
Editor
JoDee Scissors
Updated
January 13, 2022
Practical ideas for creating authentic cultural experiences for your students.
Help students build techniques to interpret what they see into written words using art.
Fasten your smock, get out your art supplies, and prepare to get your hands dirty. Examine the physics behind Alexander Calder’s mobiles, the symbolism in the botany rendered in renaissance paintings, and the careful patience used in weaving a wampum belt in this exploration of a wide range of arts.
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