2nd Nine-Weeks :: “Identity”

Identity can mean many things, but the important question for you to ask yourself is “What does it mean to me”. The term “identity” can be used to define the content of numerous artworks throughout history. I’ve given a very open ended term for your definition in order to offer as much freedom for expression as possible. This term will need to be brainstormed, and each of you will have to conjure a minimum of four artworks that represent this artistic theme.

In order to offer even more freedom for exploration, I will not hold you to actually fabricating the work that you have conceptually developed in your sketchbook. Students who found inspiration in the original four works of art from this year are more than welcome to continue down that artistic path, but will still be required to conceptually develop the four works that embody the term “identity”. Some students have new ideas about the type of work they want to make in the second nine-week period. Those students should speak with me about refining the new exploration, and will be required to fully brainstorm the term identity as well.

Students who choose not to fabricate the concepts surrounding the theme are encouraged to think well beyond the limitations of our classroom and the supplies currently available. Be bold in your brainstorming, thinking in terms of unlimited exhibition space, unlimited resources for materials, and an audience similar to that which flocks to Venice every two years for the Biennale. How would your statement of “identity” grab the viewer in the clutches of its content? What would critics write about your work when they see it next to the work of artists such as Sigmar Polke, Emily Prince, El Anatsui, Jenny Holzer, and Yang Zhenzong?

As you begin to brainstorm, please revisit my blog entries from September that outline the artistic themes for the first nine-weeks of school. Look at the questions that I wrote, and plug the word “identity” in where it makes sense. Use those questions to kick start your brainstorming and see where it takes you. The ultimate goal in the second nine-weeks is technical and conceptual growth in each student’s work. I look forward to seeing the results of the second leg of our artistic journey this year.