Suggestions for Easy Art Project Created by High Schoolers?

[CornMan]

Maybe buy four 10'x10' pieces of canvas with grommets, have the students partition sections out for each student, and have them make self portraits or something to that effect. Then put together a 10x10 shade canopy made from 1-3/8 fence tubing, canopy fittings, and bungee balls. The personalized prayer flags could be attached to the ratcheting tie down straps securing the structure to the ground with rebar. It would be good to trace the image to both sides of the canvas. Maybe put a few bright propane lanterns in it at night to light it up. They could even decorate the bungee balls. Or, maybe make a V1 geodome with the above type of stuff.

[gyre]

In the same note we're going to ask them to pray for what they want for themselves or their loved people.

I see them more as messages, generally to or about omeone, or something.

Ultimately good wishes, you could say.

[Peper]

How about taking the participation level even a step farther..

Can you take pictures of the students.. print them out.. make some kind of collage with them to bring to the playa/art installation.. and then on the flip side have a method of people jotting down thank-you's/reactions/responses/etc that you can bring back and present to the kids afterwards?

Even better. Get a satellite phone or similar - I don't know if this is actually affordable, green phase, creativity etc. - put it in a room and have the students design the room in a way that expresses them. When someone picks up the phone at burning man it can call a phone in their classroom. Or something like that. Interactivity is cool. Thumbs up for the initiative, cap'n science! Very radical inclusion of you

[Peper]

How about taking the participation level even a step farther..

Can you take pictures of the students.. print them out.. make some kind of collage with them to bring to the playa/art installation.. and then on the flip side have a method of people jotting down thank-you's/reactions/responses/etc that you can bring back and present to the kids afterwards?

creds to you junglesmack, I feel inspired!

Or how about an colourful penpal exchange with burners?

Imagine a large old book supported by a column out in the wide open playa. The first section of paper is in it's own hue and decorated by the high-school kids. The second part in a different hue which will be decorated by burners. Then let the book go back and forth each year and add new sections with new hues for each exchange. Perhaps there could be a little sign that says: If you could make an impression on your younger self, what would it be? And how would you have replied?

[jcliff]

Well, we had a change of plans on our little art project. We are now going to make a mosaic of students individual small paintings (400.) The students will be asked to paint a 2" x 2" wooden tile with their own interpretation of the theme. The problem we are coming up against is how to break down this theme so it is tangible for high school students. To be honest, this year's theme is not sparking anything for me. Larry's narrative didn't provide any jumping off place either. I don't want anyone to do my homework for me, but I am really am in need of some guidance. Does anyone have thoughts on this theme that might make it understandable for my kids? I had thought of maybe altering it slightly to "The Fertile Earth." Any thoughts would be SO appreciated!

[tamarakay]

The only thing that sparked with me was the bee thing and hives. But that is as far as it took me.

[VultureChow]

Well, we had a change of plans on our little art project. We are now going to make a mosaic of students individual small paintings (400.) The students will be asked to paint a 2" x 2" wooden tile with their own interpretation of the theme. The problem we are coming up against is how to break down this theme so it is tangible for high school students. To be honest, this year's theme is not sparking anything for me. Larry's narrative didn't provide any jumping off place either. I don't want anyone to do my homework for me, but I am really am in need of some guidance. Does anyone have thoughts on this theme that might make it understandable for my kids? I had thought of maybe altering it slightly to "The Fertile Earth." Any thoughts would be SO appreciated!

Here's my two cents:

Fertility is not just fecundity. Human society and culture is not just in the breeding of new humans but the breeding of new ideas. Guide them through what the spread of knowledge and culture used to mean. Word of mouth, physical art, books, etc. Look at some prehistoric art, perhaps even using some images of the pictographs from the Paiutes in the vicinity of BRC.

Then ask them how their knowledge, their culture disseminates. Facebook, youtube, flickr... This is a generation that lives much of their time in a virtual world, where the spread of knowledge and culture doesn't take place in the physical realm anymore. What you want them to do is explore a way to convey the vast fertility of ideas and culture that is takes place in a virtual world in a real, physical art project. To use a small, fixed physical space to explore the vastness of today's virtual culture.

/or I'm just full of shit. I honestly can't tell anymore.

[tamarakay]

Vulturechow for president!

[jcliff]

I second that! Love it....thank you!

[VultureChow]

Glad I could help.

[gyre]

I hate to see you limit the parameters.

The younger self reference is interesting.
There was a project called "Meet Your Future Self" that was very thought provoking.
Maybe you could use some of those ideas?

Examples
Will you recognize your future self?
Would they recognize you?
What would you tell them?
What will your future self be?

[jcliff]

Hey all! I don't know if anyone will see this follow-up, but I wanted to send along a pic of our completed art project that this post addressed. We chose to do a mosaic of a turtle, which is a symbol of fertility for many cultures. 300+ students painted 400 individual 2 inch squares that together make our 3 & 1/2 foot square mural. We did an intial PowerPoint presentation on the art and guiding principles of Burning Man, which helped to inspire our kids. After seeing a glimpse of Burning Man and all of the obviously interesting people that participate, they were really excited to create their own art for it. I think they were happy to finally understand why I have to be gone for the entire 2nd week of school every year! They got a 2 in tile to work with that came with the color(s) they had to work with. The turtle was sketched out in black marker on the squares ahead of time. They knew that the whole piece would end up looking like turtle, but I'm not sure they believed that it would work! Today when we glued all the tiles down, and it came together...it was thrilling for all of us. Kids stopped in to my room throughout the day to see it come together. When we glued the last tile down in the last 2 minutes of the last period of the day, there was a huge cheer. One of my girls yelled, "They're going to love us at Burning Man!" I've been a high school teacher for 14 years and I've had many highs, but this is one of the highest.

Thank you to everyone that offered suggestions and support for this project. The Fertile Turtle will be up in Lamplighter Village. I'd love it if you could stop by and see it. If you do, stop in the Lounge for a cocktail and ask for Cliff. I'd love to know you. I'll figure out a way for Burners to write notes to my students.

Many thanks!

[Bob]

Nice. Looks better than most of the funded art out there.

[trilobyte]

Awesome, jcliff - looking forward to checking it out in person!

[BoyScoutGirl]

jcliff, I've been following this thread with interest since its inception. Thank you for checking back in to share with us the fantastic result! Can't wait to see it in person.

[jcliff]

Oh Man. I just read back through my update and it sounds like an After School Special. I'm a little embarassed by my sappines. I couldn't help myself.

[Bob]

That's a model for scaling up to 48"x48" tiles, isn't it?

[tamarakay]

I absolutely love this piece. Your students are blessed to have you.

[some seeing eye]

There is a branch of participatory art called social practice art and some other names. A search will turn up quite a bit. Incubate-Chicago.org is one center. The other classic is the book and website learning to love you more. I think with some background and examples the students could propose their own project(s). (And for a science project you could analyze playa soil alongside your local soil after the event.)

[junglesmacks]

Wow.

I've been following this thread and idea since inception and have been cheering you on from my corner. That is.. so.. beautiful! Amazing. I can't like this enough.

Very nice work, Cliff. You should be very proud. I'll make sure to stop by and leave a note..

[gyre]

I'd like to hear more about turtle mythology.

it was heavily referenced in Girl In A Swing, but I never found details.
Very spooky movie.

Most of the turtle references were scandinavian.

[BoyScoutGirl]

I'd like to hear more about turtle mythology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_d ... _tortoises might be a good place to start.

[gyre]

Thanks.
I have seen that before, but that's about all I have found.
I can't find anything serious on scandinavian folklore.

[jcliff]

Okay, one more update! My kids' Fertile Turtle was accepted for kiosk art in Center Camp Cafe! I submitted it on a whim not expecting that they would bite, but I think Jonesy Jones (the curator) liked the story behind the piece. It was originally intended for Lamplighter Village, but I received blessings from my crew to go bigger. I have a few kids who particpated in summer school, so this morning I filled them in on this development. They have no idea what I'm really talking about, but they were blown away by the fact that their art will be given its own lighting! Them: "Do you have to do the lighting?" Me: "Nope, they do." Them: "OH MY GOD!!!" I spent the next 10 minutes explaining why I could not orchestrate a field trip to Burning Man.

Exciting stuff for Marian Catholic kids. Thanks again!

[trilobyte]

That's awesome, congrats!

[wh..sh]

*standing ovation*
This fills my heart.

[jcliff]

Ahhh....we did it! Thought I would post a finale shot for this thread. This is a picture of my kids' art project, The Fertile Turtle, displayed in Center Camp this Burn. The Center Camp kiosk fit the project perfectly....almost like it was made for her? My lovely art teacher partners are hooked on Burning Man, and we're already planning for next year. Thanks again for those that offered suggestions and support!

[tamarakay]

It was absolutely perfect. Your students are blessed.