Arts Explorer # 10: Community Arts Project

            For our community arts project, we decided to raise awareness regarding the bystander effect as we all felt that this phenomenon is quite apparent in today's society and needs to be brought to the attention of the public. I believe that it is very unfortunate that people in public have to undergo mis happenings when they can be prevented if someone just lends a hand or steps in. After researching the statistics regarding the bystander effect, it became apparent that one of the reasons why it is so apparent is the thinking the someone else will do something. Thus, we believed that we should encourage our class and the community not to bass people by who may need help, but be the one to help.

            For the community arts project, we thought of raising awareness by creating information booklets and pamphlets that we could provide the public with. Subsequent to this, we thought of having a bystander stimulation in Dundas Square and get the media involved as well. Thus, we would be using the art of drama and acting to raise awareness regarding this issue.

          I believe that our presentation went well, although we were a bit short of time. However, I think that we could have involved the arts more by perhaps creating a video or commercial that informed the public of the bystander effect in a more effective way.

            The bystander effect is directly related to children and my future of an early childhood educator, as being a teacher, I believe that it is my responsibility to teach children about social responsibility at a young age. If children are taught to help people at a young age, they will do so when they grow older or at least do something about it and not just pass by as many of  us do today.

Arts Explorer # 8: Pretend Play and Magical Thinking

Art Word of the Week: Balance

          Many times I am astonished by the ways in which little children are able to use their imagination to make use of things. A few weeks ago, my little cousin was over at my house, and I had small beads on my scarf which were falling off so I decided to pull them off. As I was walking over to the garbage can to dispose of them, my little cousin asked me for them and told her that it was garbage, however she insisted on taking them so I gave them to her. A few minutes later, she had used the beads as rings, and was showing them off to everybody. This made me realize how creative and imaginative kids can be while we often get stuck thinking about the ordinary. 

     So for this blog, I was required to use my imagination and think beyond the box by choosing an inanimate object to life. Thus, I chose to bring a mango to life!

Arts Explorer # 7: Grocery Shopping With a Twist

Art Word of the Week: Mass or Volume

          While doing grocery shopping, one comes across various shapes, patterns and sizes. In addition, many food items also fall under the category of mass and volume as many food items are three dimensional in nature. For this blog, I will be looking at fruit and the ways in which mass and volume are portrayed in fruits. There are countless fruits, however, just to name a  few:

·         Apple                                                                                                 

·         Pear

·         Banana

·         Kiwi

·         Strawberry

·         Grapes

·         Cantaloupe

·         Oranges

·         Pomegranate

·         Mango

·         Apricot

·         Peach

·         Nectarine

·         Pineapple

·         Lemon                                                                                                          

·         Lime

·         Key lime

·         Coconut

·         Lychee

·      

 bj       I chose to use mass and volume to this blog as "mass and volume is an appropriate criteria for critiquing three-dimensional art, which has height, length and width" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). In addition, mass and volume can also be portrayed as "angular or curved, big or small. heavy, bulky, massive, light and delicate" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). This concept can be applied to fruits and grocer shopping as i use this criteria to chose food when i go shopping. For instance, when choosing strawberries, the ones that are big are usually sweeter and look more appealing to the eye. In addition, I also use the weight of the fruit when choosing it. For instance, when choosing green peppers, I like to see how heavy they are as I like to buy the ones that have the least amount of seeds. 

           Becoming a future early childhood educator, this concept of mass and volume can be applied to my teaching in various ways. Firstly, since measurement is a fundamental skill in the curriculum, children are expected to learn about various concepts such as mass and volume. By using the arts and asking children to draw what something heavy or light might look like, children will be able to learn these fundamental concepts. 

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6^th Ed.).

            Belmont, CA: Delmar.

Arts Explorer # 6: Illustrating With Scissors

rt Word of the Week: Texture

    The following activity will provide children with the opportunity to display their personal identity and communicate an understanding of the world. 

Step 1: tell children do draw a silhouette on a large piece of chart paper

Step 2: Next, allow children to gather a variety of materials that entail a variety of textures. This step can begin a few days before the art project by going on a nature walk and collecting material from the outdoors. 

Step 3: Encourage children to use the different materials to cover or decorate the illustration of themselves 

Step 4:  Once the children have covered their silhouette, ask children why they chose the different textures of the different body parts

I chose texture to apply to this activity as texture “refers to the surface quality of a work of art” and includes terms such as “rough, bumpy or smooth, hard or soft coarse or fine, wet, sticky, dry, dull or shiny etc” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 144). Thus, children can use the various texture to apply to their illustrations and gain an understanding of the different textures that are found on our body. This activity will also provide children with the opportunity to become aware of their body parts and the different textures that encompass it. I hope to incorporate this activity in my teaching perhaps when I do a unit of the human body. 

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6^th Ed.).

            Belmont, CA: Delmar.

Arts Explorer # 5: Art Film

Art Word of the Week: Design or Composition

            “Design or composition is the overall marks of success, the standard of achievement, and the frosting on the cake” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). In addition, it also consists of a “focal point, emphasis, center of interest, or dominant spot that attracts and holds the viewers attention that makes the viewer want to return and admire it again and again” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). I applied this element of art to the film titled Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as the producer of the film did a great job creating a story line which kept me on the edge of my seat. In addition, the story line of the film was something quite unique which made me admire the movie more as I had never seen something like it before.

Candice: Hey Guys, what did you think about the movie Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind?

Pavneet: I thought the movie itself was quite interesting but it was one of those movies in which you really had to pay attention as the past and present were intertwined.

Vanessa: I agree, at moments I was a little confused between the memories and thoughts of the past and present.  It wasn’t until about the point of where Joel’s (Jim Carrey) memory was being erased until I fully caught up. 

Candice: Yea definitely, although a little confusing I thought it was pretty interesting how the memories were intertwined. I also liked how the memories painted an intangible picture of their relationship. It was something I’ve never seen before.

Vanessa: Yes usually in movies we always see a relationship from beginning to end in a concrete way, but in this film it was interesting to see how the relationship formed in a more abstract way. 

Pavneet:  Agreed. It was kind of like a puzzle and all the memories were pieces. Definitely an interesting concept! I think another interesting part was when Patrick (Elijah Wood) tried to move in on Clementine (Kate Winslet). The fact that she wasn’t as comfortable and responsive to him was very interesting and made me think.

Vanessa: Yea, and even when he said the exact same things as Joel (Jim Carrey) she wasn’t as responsive.  I guess that was a clue to show the viewers that their relationship was deeper.

Candice: Yup, I thought that was pretty interesting too! I also thought it was crazy how Mary (Kirsten Dunst) and Dr. Howard (Tom Wilkinson) had a relationship prior. I actually never saw that coming and I feel like it gave the movie an interesting twist.

Pavneet: Yea, it put a fascinating twist on the movie for sure. What did you guys think about Joel’s (Jim Carrey) memory of his childhood? To be honest I found that memory kind of odd.

Vanessa: The memory itself was weird and a little out of place but I understand that he was trying to “hide” his memory with Clementine (Kate Winslet) within a deeper, less accessible memory.

Candice: I found it interesting how Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) tried to hide their own memories with each other within Joel’s (Jim Carrey) less accessible memories. I also found it cool that whenever the procedure was erasing a part of the memory the objects around them would start disappearing.

Pavneet: That was a cool part and it was interesting to see how they were trying to trick the system. At the end of the movie when Clementine’s (Kate Winselt) tape was played I was a little worried. What did you guys think about that part?

Vanessa: I was a little worried too. I think Joel’s (Jim Carrey) reaction was normal though. If I was in that position I would have felt as though someone was playing a trick on me too. It was interesting to hear his tape about her at the end too though. I feel like it really ended the movie off in a good note. They both seemed to be open and willing to be in each other’s lives knowing everything they heard. 

Candice: I feel the same way; they are going to relive their relationship again from the beginning. Was this kind of movie one that you guys would watch on your own?

Pavneet: Definitely not.  I have heard interesting things about the movie, but it wouldn’t have been on my “must watch” list. It seems a little too out of the box for me.

Vanessa: I agree, not my kind of movie but it was definitely something different.  

Candice: Yea I’ve heard a lot of good things about the film and watching it was refreshing but I’m not sure I’d see it again. It was interesting though, and presented a cool concept.

Pavneet: Yup for sure!

Vanessa: Definitely! 

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6^th Ed.).

            Belmont, CA: Delmar.

Arts Explorer # 4: Patterns in Urban Spaces and Nature

Art Word of the Week: Pattern

           Patterns can be found all around us; however we often tend to over look them as we forget to take time and appreciate the beauty and design that surrounds in our everyday lives. As defined by Shirrmacher and Fox, a pattern “refers to the treatment given to a surface, suggests flow, rhythm, motion or movement, suggest regularity and repetition, can be made with forms, shapes, lines, colors, textures or symbols that move across a surface in a recurring sequence” (200, p. 142). Keeping all this in mind, I went out into my neighborhood to look for some patterns that could be found. 

Picture 1: A side view of the retirement home by my house.

   As seen in the picture to the right, there is a repetitive pattern of design that gives a look or sense of symmetry to the building.  

      When i zoomed into the picture number one, I was surprised with what I saw. Withing the window panels, I also saw another repetitive pattern as seen below. When observed further, i also saw a pattern within the bricks of the building. I was surprised to see the different patterns that i was able to see in one simple picture.

Picture # 2

    As i continued on my walk for patterns, I came across various other patterns in nature that included concepts such as flow and color. Picture # 3 displays an image of rocks that caught my attention while walking by. On any other given day, I would just walk past and not notice the underlying pattern behind their placement, however when I took a  few pictures of the rocks using different angels, I noticed that they followed a specific flow in their placement. As seen in picture # 3, the rocks are placed horizontally and then vertically creating a repetitive pattern and flow. 

Picture # 3

       Moving ahead, I also came across some trees and plants in the local creek. Picture # 4 shows a pattern with the use of color as the bottom of the plants are brown while the tops are a light red color. 

Picture # 4

     Getting into the routine of seeing patterns, I then got a bit carried away one I arrived home, and began to realize the various patterns that had surrounded me all along but weren't aware of them . 

 


       Becoming a future early childhood educator or teacher, I hope to create activities such as this one that allow children to get outside and explore their surroundings to realize the various patterns that surround us. Learning patterns is a fundamental skill that is apart of the school curriculum, however children are usually taught this skill by completing handouts and other seat work. Having being taught this way, I know how boring the learning can be, thus by completing this blog I have learned how I as a future teacher can making learning such concepts fun for children while implanting a love for nature. 

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6^th Ed.).

            Belmont, CA: Delmar.

Arts Explorer # 3: Art Critique

Art Word of the Week: Color

            As part of my creative art’s class I had the opportunity to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) located in Toronto. As a young child, I did have the opportunity to visit the ago, however found this visit to be much more knowledgeable as I was given a guided tour by my professor who also works at the art galley of Ontario. While visiting the art gallery of Ontario, I was required to find a piece of art to critique and was very intrigued when I came across Sigmund Christian Hubert Goetze’s painting titled Ever Open Door. 

         The piece of art is a painting which incorporates many aspects of life such as childhood, innocence, adulthood, corruption and the concept of religion or God. In the painting, there are images of children, adults, angels that perhaps represent the religious aspect of the picture, and various objects such as flowers and wings. Looking at this piece of art, it instantly reminds me of the romantic image of the child which was popular amongst the 1700’s and amongst philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Thus, I believe that this artist is trying to bring back this image of the child or childhood back into the eyes of the public. Since the romantic image of the child was one which saw children “in need of protection and innocent beings” (Wolfe, 2002, p. 49), I believe that this painting is telling the viewer about this message. The painting is telling viewers that children are innocent beings in a world full or corruption, and thus need to be protected by adult figures from the corrupted society. Since this romantic view of children was apparent in the 17^th century, I believe that this painting is a portrait of that image and time. 

       When I look at this piece of art I the art element that I see applied to this painting is “color”. Color is “based upon the passage of light and makes each of us respond with feeling” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 136). Since the first impression that stood out to me about this painting, was the mixed emotions that were portrayed in this picture. The artist used various elements of color such as “thermal qualities of warm and cool” and “tint” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 137) to portray the various feelings to the viewers. At first glance, the use of both bright colors such as the red, orange and pink help to bring about more positive and bright emotions amongst the viewer. On the other hand, the artist also uses “hues”, “shades” and “tint” of darker colors in the background to bring out the more heavy and dark emotions. This is seen in the backdrop of the painting as various tints of the color black are used to perhaps show the more darker side of childhood. In addition, the back drop of the painting also incorporates various “shades” of the color black to make various objects and texture apparent in the background. Overall, looking at this painting, I begin to realize how color can effectively be used to express various emotions apart from many other things. 

      I really like the way that the painter used color in this picture to show the happiness of childhood through the use of the more vibrant colors and the incorporation of the flowers in the forefront of the picture, against the backdrop of the more dull colors which represent the more gloomy side of childhood. In addition, I also really like the way that the painter was able to capture the image of the child in that century in one painting. It is effective as I was able to draw the various meanings that this painting was portraying in just one simple glance. Overall, I believe that this painting made great use of color to capture the image of the child in the 17^th century. 

       Going to the art gallery of Ontario and getting a guided tour by our professor Patricia Gora who also works at the art gallery, I was able to view the various child friendly spaces around the art gallery. In addition,  I also learned ways in which I as a future educator can ask children questions to get the thinking about the art work. Since I believe that children learn best when they are able to actively explore, discover and see things first hand, the art gallery is a great place to bring children for a field trip.

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6^th Ed.).

            Belmont, CA: Delmar. 
 

Wolfe, J. (2002). Learning from the past: historical voices in early childhood education. Mayerthrope, Alberta: Piney Branch Press.