Nature inspires us through fleeting moments ... the intricate patterns on the flowing water’s surface, an icicle lit by the sun or a rainbow peeking through tall buildings on a misty morning. This unit will explore examples of ephemeral art inspired by nature and underscore the value in the process of creating purely for the sake of creating.
Unit Introduction
Essential Questions:
How have artists been inspired by nature?
How can we find inspiration for art in nature?
How can we use nature as part of our artistic process?
Why do we create something that isn’t meant to last forever?
What is “ephemeral” and how can it be used in art?
Goals:
Students will learn that art can be inspired by nature. They will be able to find inspiration for their own art by exploring nature. Art, just as nature, can be about process and change. Students will be able to look for art opportunities as they are outdoors, and they will also be able to create art that isn’t meant to last forever, and appreciate the freedom and creative license in that itself. They will also see concrete examples of lasting structures inspired by these ephemeral projects and play with nature.
Actions:
Students will draw their own Kolam using geometrical patterns.
Students will create a landscape art piece inspired by Andy Goldsworthy.
Students will create a mini zen garden or moss terrarium, inspired by Maya Lin, and Zen gardens.
Students will visit the Riggio-Lynch Chapel and Langston Hughes Library in Clinton, TN, and talk about how their own ephemeral art might inspire design.
How have artists been inspired by nature?
How can we find inspiration for art in nature?
How can we use nature as part of our artistic process?
Why do we create something that isn’t meant to last forever?
What is “ephemeral” and how can it be used in art?
Goals:
Students will learn that art can be inspired by nature. They will be able to find inspiration for their own art by exploring nature. Art, just as nature, can be about process and change. Students will be able to look for art opportunities as they are outdoors, and they will also be able to create art that isn’t meant to last forever, and appreciate the freedom and creative license in that itself. They will also see concrete examples of lasting structures inspired by these ephemeral projects and play with nature.
Actions:
Students will draw their own Kolam using geometrical patterns.
Students will create a landscape art piece inspired by Andy Goldsworthy.
Students will create a mini zen garden or moss terrarium, inspired by Maya Lin, and Zen gardens.
Students will visit the Riggio-Lynch Chapel and Langston Hughes Library in Clinton, TN, and talk about how their own ephemeral art might inspire design.
