Process
Step 1: Think-
Brain storm a list of world issues. Make sure to include issues ranging in all levels. What I mean by this is, make sure to include small scale issues based in your community, or school as well as global issues regarding world wide issues.
Step 2: Discuss-
Briefly talk with your classmates and create a combined list of everyone's global/community issues that they thought of.
Step 3: Select-
Pick one issue from the list that you feel passionately about, or that you or someone you know has experienced. Make sure to do some research on the issue to gain some background knowledge. During this time you may want to gather some disturbing statistics, or facts that you want to include in your artwork. What do you feel is causing the issue? What are some ways you feel this issue could be resolved? Thinking about these possibilities will help to make your artwork stronger.
Here are some websites to get you started:
https://www.un.org/en/globalissues/
http://www.globalissues.org/
http://www.topix.com/city/johnstown-pa
Step 4: Discuss-
Now break up into groups of 3 or 4 and discuss your issues. You may want to find people who share the same issues as you, or you may want to group with people of different concerns. By getting together in groups you will be able to share your findings of your issues and give suggestions to one another on how to create your artwork. In your groups answer the following questions to help find ways to create your artworks.
1. How can you make a visual towards improving your cause?
2. How can you make a visual to address the problem?
3. What would a change of that problem look like?
4. What does your problem look like? Can you imagine what it would look like if the issue didn't exist?
Step 5: Draft-
After picking a global or community issue that you feel strongly about, start thinking of how you will convey your stance on the issue visually. Will you use symbolic meaning to create you message, or go for a more direct approach? Keep in mind that everything you include in your artwork may give off a certain meaning or message. During this time make several sketches of what you intend to say through your artwork.
*Think about the power of art and its ability to get a message out there. This is your opportunity to tell the world how you feel and try to make a change!
Step 6: Create-
After you have created several sketches and are pleased with one of them you may now being to create your artwork. I am leaving the choice of materials up to you (colored pencils, paint, charcoal, etc...) so be creative!
Step 7: Examples-
Here are some examples of artists/projects using the power of art to make a change!
http://www.thedepartureboard.com/banksy-art-in-bethlehem-and-palestine
http://www.guerrillagirls.com/
http://www.clotheslineproject.org/
http://www.aidsquilt.org/
http://www.keepersofthewaters.org/Proj05LWG2012.cfm
Step 8: Statement-
After you have completed your artwork create an artist statement of what your artwork is about/means. Describe what issue you focused on and why you chose this issue. Do you have personal experience with the issue, or has someone you know experienced it? Be sure to include ways in which you want to help with the issue (recycling more, donating to charity, etc...) as well. Your statement should be at least a paragraph long (4-5 sentences).
Step 8: Collaborate-
Once everyone has completed their artwork you will then find an area in your school to create an "Art Message Board" to make your stance public. Collectively display your artworks side by side on your board.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."
- Stephen Sondheim
Brain storm a list of world issues. Make sure to include issues ranging in all levels. What I mean by this is, make sure to include small scale issues based in your community, or school as well as global issues regarding world wide issues.
Step 2: Discuss-
Briefly talk with your classmates and create a combined list of everyone's global/community issues that they thought of.
Step 3: Select-
Pick one issue from the list that you feel passionately about, or that you or someone you know has experienced. Make sure to do some research on the issue to gain some background knowledge. During this time you may want to gather some disturbing statistics, or facts that you want to include in your artwork. What do you feel is causing the issue? What are some ways you feel this issue could be resolved? Thinking about these possibilities will help to make your artwork stronger.
Here are some websites to get you started:
https://www.un.org/en/globalissues/
http://www.globalissues.org/
http://www.topix.com/city/johnstown-pa
Step 4: Discuss-
Now break up into groups of 3 or 4 and discuss your issues. You may want to find people who share the same issues as you, or you may want to group with people of different concerns. By getting together in groups you will be able to share your findings of your issues and give suggestions to one another on how to create your artwork. In your groups answer the following questions to help find ways to create your artworks.
1. How can you make a visual towards improving your cause?
2. How can you make a visual to address the problem?
3. What would a change of that problem look like?
4. What does your problem look like? Can you imagine what it would look like if the issue didn't exist?
Step 5: Draft-
After picking a global or community issue that you feel strongly about, start thinking of how you will convey your stance on the issue visually. Will you use symbolic meaning to create you message, or go for a more direct approach? Keep in mind that everything you include in your artwork may give off a certain meaning or message. During this time make several sketches of what you intend to say through your artwork.
*Think about the power of art and its ability to get a message out there. This is your opportunity to tell the world how you feel and try to make a change!
Step 6: Create-
After you have created several sketches and are pleased with one of them you may now being to create your artwork. I am leaving the choice of materials up to you (colored pencils, paint, charcoal, etc...) so be creative!
Step 7: Examples-
Here are some examples of artists/projects using the power of art to make a change!
http://www.thedepartureboard.com/banksy-art-in-bethlehem-and-palestine
http://www.guerrillagirls.com/
http://www.clotheslineproject.org/
http://www.aidsquilt.org/
http://www.keepersofthewaters.org/Proj05LWG2012.cfm
Step 8: Statement-
After you have completed your artwork create an artist statement of what your artwork is about/means. Describe what issue you focused on and why you chose this issue. Do you have personal experience with the issue, or has someone you know experienced it? Be sure to include ways in which you want to help with the issue (recycling more, donating to charity, etc...) as well. Your statement should be at least a paragraph long (4-5 sentences).
Step 8: Collaborate-
Once everyone has completed their artwork you will then find an area in your school to create an "Art Message Board" to make your stance public. Collectively display your artworks side by side on your board.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."
- Stephen Sondheim