LESSON OBJECTIVES

Students will learn about a street artist named JR. They will learn that art can make a difference without just being displayed in a museum. Everyone can make art. Art can be used as a vehicle to bring attention to social issues speak to the world.

No one knows his real name. He refers to himself as a photograffeur, which puts him somewhere between a photographer and a graf�ti artist.

This is JR.

JR found a camera on the subway in Paris and began to take pictures and make art. His art is always focused on people, and is bold, black and white, and oversized.

JR sees the streets as his art gallery and always thinks about where to put his art up. He always puts his pictures where people can see them, and to make a statement.

There are stories of survival and other untold stories of people that JR wants the rest of the world to know about. JR decided to remain anonymous because he wants bring attention not to himself but to the subjects of his art.

WHY IS JR’S WORK IMPORTANT?

This is his �rst famous project, a series based on those living in Paris housing projects. This means that people that were considered outcasts were the subject of capti-vating art that was seen daily by everyone in Paris.

“PORTRAITS OF A GENERATION”“In the street, we reach people who never go to museums.” -JR

This is part of his campaign called “Women are Heroes” in Kenya. In this project, women who are usually live in hardship are shown smiling. This was a reminder to the women there to keep hoping for a better life.

“WOMEN ARE HEROES”

JR is different from other artists because his art is all about people. His art captures the attention of everyone. It is hard to turn away from the portrait of someone’s face. His art can be seen all around the world in Africa, Paris, Middle East, and the US and encourages dialogue about subjects that don’t have a voice and usually can’t speak for themselves.

HOW IS JR DIFFERENT?

In 2011, JR was the winner of the TED prize, a $100,00 prize granted to those who wish to change the world. Past winners include Bill Clinton and Bono and at the age of 28, JR is the youngest to receive the prize!

JR’s wish is coming true through a movement called “Inside Out” where he invites people to upload pictures of themselves on his website. A black and poster will be sent back and is encouraged to be put up as art.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:Make your own art and make a difference!

Join JR’s art movement and �nd a com-puter and upload a picture of yourself or someone that you would like to see as art. Receive a poster and paste it in a public place where people will see it.

OR

Create your own movement and �nd an issue that you would like to call attention to. Make your own portrait about some-thing that needs a voice and display it in a place that is relevant (for older students)

SOURCES

http://jr-art.net/http://www.tedprize.org/jr-2011-ted-prize-winner/http://www.insideoutproject.net/