Neo-Rationalist Theory
Teachers: Laura Davis and Courtney Hollan- Adapted by Whitney Gasser
Grade: 5
Time Needed: 45 minutes
Objective: Students will understand the neo-rationalist theory of art and how it relates to creating and formatting 5 paragraph opinionated essay.Students will be able to relate this to the strengthening layers of a paper mache bowl. Students will be assessed by writing a 5 paragraph essay comparing and contrasting the differences between a neorationalist artist and the original artist.
Standards:
Standard 1
(Making): The student will explore and refine the application of media, techniques, and artistic processes.
Teachers: Laura Davis and Courtney Hollan- Adapted by Whitney Gasser
Grade: 5
Time Needed: 45 minutes
Objective: Students will understand the neo-rationalist theory of art and how it relates to creating and formatting 5 paragraph opinionated essay.Students will be able to relate this to the strengthening layers of a paper mache bowl. Students will be assessed by writing a 5 paragraph essay comparing and contrasting the differences between a neorationalist artist and the original artist.
Standards:
Standard 1
(Making): The student will explore and refine the application of media, techniques, and artistic processes.
Objective 2
Predict the processes and techniques needed to make a work of art.
Predict the processes and techniques needed to make a work of art.
- Preplan the steps or tasks to achieve a desired image.
- Select appropriate media in which to portray a variety of subjects for works of art.
- Use preparatory sketches to solve visual problems before beginning an actual work of art.
State Writing Standard 1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
- Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
National Arts Standard 6
Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
Introduce Neorationalist Theory:
According to this theory art is only “good” art if it is patterned after or influenced by a famous artist’s work.
Start the introduction of what neo-rationalism really is by comparing pictures of Pablo Picasso and Alexandra Nechita. You can find more information about Alexandra Nechita at this link: http://www.iisis.net/index.php?page=pablo-picasso-alexandra-nechita-reincarnation-past-lives-child-prodigy-kevin-ryerson-walter-semkiw. Ask children if they think they know which painting is by Picasso? Allow the classroom to discuss if they think Alexandra Nechita should be recognized for her work? Are you still an artist if you are inspired by another famous artist’s work? Where do you draw the line for inspiration vs copying someone else? Do you think it bothers (or would bother) Picasso, the original artist?
ArtistsFelix Gonzalez -Torres: An American minimalist artist that makes installation and process art. We looked at his work before in class with the candy portraits. This artwork is made up of two stacks of white paper; one is called “Memorial day weekend” and the other is called “Veterans day sale”. This is an example of process art because visitors are invited to take paper from either stack symbolizing how these national holidays have been commercialized. This artwork would be valued in the neo-rationalist theory because the shape of his artwork was somewhat inspired by the minimalist art of Donald Judd
information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9lix_Gonz%C3%A1lez-Torres
Untitled (Monuments)
Minimalist art inspired by the work of Donald Judd
Walton Ford
An American watercolor artist who paints natural settings in the style of James Audubon. Unlike Audubon, Ford paints to critique humanity’s effect of the environment.
Video about his inspiration: http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/walton-ford
Ford, The Falling Bough
Ford, Benjamin's Emblem
Audubon, Louisiana Heron
Audubon, Pinnated grouse
Tom Killion
An American artist from California. His artwork is strongly influenced by the style of Japanese woodcuts, but his landscapes are of the California coast.
video about his inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBzm1T2Czg
Killion, Mt. Tamalpais from Bulkley Ave., Sausalito
Killion, Point Reyes from Chimney Rock
Japanese Woodcut
Alexandra Nechita
A child prodigy artist born in Romania and raised in the United States. She had her first art exhibit at 8 years old in Los Angeles, CA. She was named “The Petite Picasso” by the press at age 14 because her artwork looks so much like Picasso’s. http://www.iisis.net/index.php?page=pablo-picasso-alexandra-nechita-reincarnation-past-lives-child-prodigy-kevin-ryerson-walter-semkiw
Nechita, Ladder of Giving
Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror
Nechita, The Day of September 11
Picasso, Guernica (based on the bombing of the city Guernica)
5 Paragraph Esssays:
After discussing Neorathionaist Art, talk about how in writing there are certain styles that we follow that give strength to the message we are trying to convey. One very popular patterns for writing essays is the 5 paragraph essay. In the 5 paragraph essay there is an introduction and conclusion as well as three supporting paragraphs. Some can relate it to a hamburger.
As a class talk about why it is important to support your main ideas. Ask students why it is important to introduce what you are talking about before you give your 3 supporting examples.
This website gives some ideas for a different way of doing compare and contrast essays.
Another simple way of looking at 5 paragraph essays is with the caterpillar example:
Return to the idea of neorationalist theory using a storybook:
Read, “A Bird or Two” by Bijou Le Tord. The book is about the artist Henri Matisse. It’s also an example of neo-rationalism because Tord illustrates the book using Mattisse’s style of art. This book teaches about Matisse while giving a concrete example of neo-rationilism. After reading the book, explain to the class how Tord was inspired to write and illustrate about Henri Matisse, and how that kind of inspiration can be defined as neo-rationalism.
Other good books to help inspire children based from famous artists:
“Frida’s Fashions” inspired by Fridda Kahlo
“Free to Be” inspired by Sargent Johnson
“Guard my Secret” inspired by Jackson Pollock
Ideas found here: http://auroenglish.blogspot.com/2010/04/create-your-own-masterpieces-inspired.html
What are some aspects of this art that we could be inspired by?
What are some aspects of this art that we could be inspired by?
Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night (contrasting colors, long brush strokes, landscapes)
Jackson Pollock, Number 8 (paint splatters, bright colors, layered paint)
Geroges Seurat, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (pointillism, peaceful)
Susan Dwyer- a Chicago based artists who works wiht Paper Mache
How to incorporate an artist’s style in your own work:
Explain to students that if they feel compelled or inspired by another artist’s work, they should try to use some of the same features or ideas in their own work. The first step in creating a neo-rationalist art piece is being able to identify features in the original artwork.
For example, the teacher may use the picture above (Georges Seurat, A sunday on La Grande Jatte), for an example. Maybe you are drawn to the content, style, media, color scheme, emotions, or message that can be drawn from this particular piece, and want to create something similar. It’s important for students to recognize these different areas, and varying characteristics they contain in order to incorporate them in their own work.
With the picture above, by Susan Dwyer, students can create paper mache bowls like she did.
Art Project:
Creating a paper mache bowl. We will use this to discuss the importance of having supporting layers, which can be related back to having supporting points in a 5 paragraph essay. Each student will need a balloon, a stack of newspapers, mache, Mod Podge and paint.
1. Tape a balloon to a heavy bowl so that is doesn't move. Apply strips of newspaper covered in mache in both directions. Apply 2 - 3 layers. Allow to dry for several days.
1. Tape a balloon to a heavy bowl so that is doesn't move. Apply strips of newspaper covered in mache in both directions. Apply 2 - 3 layers. Allow to dry for several days.
2. When the bowl is dry and hard, pop the balloon if it hasn't already done so. Trim the edges of the bowl evenly with a scissors.
3. Tape a round cardboard circle to the bottom of the bowl with lots of masking tape. Apply several layers of newspaper in all directions.
4. When the bowl is dry and hard, apply a final layer of paper towel strips covered in mache.
- When the bowl is dry, apply acrylic paint in a creative fashion. Lastly, cover with a coating of Mod Podge to protect the surface.
Paper Mache Recipe:
1 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups cold water
4 cups boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
In a bowl, combine the flour and cold water. Add to the saucepan of boiling water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Let it cool; it will thicken as it cools. Once it does, it is ready to use.
Before doing the assignment talk about how the Introduction is like a balloon that gives shape to the essay. The paper mache layers, like the supporting paragraphs give strength. The paint and mod podg give the bowl a finishing touch, similar to how a conclusion works.
Final Assessment: The students will select a topic of their choice to write a 5 paragraph opinionated essay on. The students will brainstorm to find their strongest points of evidence. Next, the students will fill out the following worksheet in preparation for their essay.
For a reference to the origional Neo-rationalist Lesson:
Here is the link to the powerpoint: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FU2VTKU9-Wx2lAtcQsILey1xcgG...
and the Google doc:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SWubbq47VIJWm4onAxWTfO98OJY3a8_...
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