What is ART?????What is ART?????

Binky the alien is Binky the alien is from the planet from the planet Zirckon in a Zirckon in a neighboring galaxy. neighboring galaxy. Binky is a typical Binky is a typical alien who works for alien who works for the government on the government on foreign affairs and foreign affairs and research. He is about research. He is about to embark on a to embark on a mission far, far away.mission far, far away.

Binky, you have a mission. We Binky, you have a mission. We are continuing to study are continuing to study earthlings. We are committed earthlings. We are committed to understanding their culture to understanding their culture and discover if we can become and discover if we can become allies in this universe. If we allies in this universe. If we can share our expertise we can share our expertise we can help each other in the can help each other in the uses of technology, food uses of technology, food sources, energy….…..the sources, energy….…..the possibilities are endless.possibilities are endless.

•Earthlings have something called “Art” on Earthlings have something called “Art” on their planet. Zickon’s planet advisors say that their planet. Zickon’s planet advisors say that this Art can explain everything about this Art can explain everything about earthlings. earthlings. Who they are, What they value, What they Who they are, What they value, What they don’t value, What has happened in history, don’t value, What has happened in history, What they enjoy, What they think is funny, What they enjoy, What they think is funny,

beautiful, tragic etc…..beautiful, tragic etc….. Sounds like Art is the key to human beings unlike other species and creatures. I can’t wait.

Begin at the Art Begin at the Art Museum. There is a Museum. There is a class of school children class of school children on tour trying to on tour trying to uncover just the same uncover just the same question. WHAT IS question. WHAT IS ART?ART?Please go and report Please go and report back to us your back to us your findings.findings.

Off to earth he goes…….Off to earth he goes…….

At the museum Binky tours with the At the museum Binky tours with the class. He doesn’t speak the language class. He doesn’t speak the language but with the help of his translation but with the help of his translation device he is able to understand much of device he is able to understand much of what the docent is telling the students.what the docent is telling the students.

© 2000–2010 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved. 1000 Fifth Avenue. New York, New York 10028. Retrieved June 23, 2010 from http://www.metmuseum.org/

They look at portrait of They look at portrait of Barrack Obama and George Barrack Obama and George Washington.Washington.

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They see an Egyptian They see an Egyptian Pharaoh Headdress Pharaoh Headdress

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They see a giant mural on They see a giant mural on the outside walls with the outside walls with shapes and linesshapes and lines

© 2000–2010 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved. 1000 Fifth Avenue. New York, New York 10028. Retrieved June 23, 2010 from http://www.metmuseum.org/

They see a picture all They see a picture all jumbled up. The docent said jumbled up. The docent said it was abstract.it was abstract.

© 2000–2010 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All rights reserved. 1000 Fifth Avenue. New York, New York 10028. Retrieved June 23, 2010 from http://www.metmuseum.org/

They see some beautiful They see some beautiful paintings of naturepaintings of nature

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They see some old colorless They see some old colorless statues. They were from all statues. They were from all over. One was a saint. Some over. One was a saint. Some were soldiers.were soldiers.

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Binky didn’t know what this Binky didn’t know what this was. The docent said it was was. The docent said it was non-objective.non-objective.

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Binky is very confused Binky is very confused and has asked for your and has asked for your help. You need to help help. You need to help him figure out why him figure out why these pieces of art these pieces of art and other items like and other items like these are considered these are considered Art. He needs to Art. He needs to report back to Zirckon.report back to Zirckon.

Step 1 - Explore Your Step 1 - Explore Your Topic and Generate Topic and Generate Questions Questions

Separate the items at your table into the Separate the items at your table into the categories that you come up with. Does it categories that you come up with. Does it work? work?

Write down any questions you have.Write down any questions you have. Share with the group your categories. Share with the group your categories.

Tip****One Tip****One way to way to explore and explore and narrow your narrow your topic is by topic is by breaking it breaking it down into down into smaller smaller topics or topics or categories.categories.

Step 2 – Organize the Step 2 – Organize the InformationInformationThese are the categories we’re going to work with. These are the categories we’re going to work with.

These are the ones the docent told us about. Resort These are the ones the docent told us about. Resort the pictures again using these categories.the pictures again using these categories.

Abstract- doesn’t look realAbstract- doesn’t look real Shows FeelingsShows Feelings BeautifulBeautiful Shocking or confusingShocking or confusing AncientAncient HistoricHistoric ReligiousReligious

Step 3 – Gather and Organize Step 3 – Gather and Organize More InformationMore Information

In your group define “What is art?”. In your group define “What is art?”. Use a Use a variety of sources for this research.variety of sources for this research.

Now explore the category assigned to your Now explore the category assigned to your group. Define any word you don’t know to group. Define any word you don’t know to uncover meaning. Find examples of this uncover meaning. Find examples of this artwork.artwork.

You are almost ready to help You are almost ready to help Binky!Binky!

Step 4 and 5 Communicate Step 4 and 5 Communicate Findings with Rough and Findings with Rough and Final DraftFinal Draft

Create a poster about the category of art Create a poster about the category of art you have been assigned. you have been assigned.

It should:It should:1.1. Have a clear titleHave a clear title2.2. Define the categoryDefine the category3.3. Show sample artwork(s) Show sample artwork(s) 4.4. Be pleasing to look atBe pleasing to look at5.5. Look creative!!!!Look creative!!!!

Encyclopedia of world art (1968) 15 v. 2 supplement vols. (1983, Encyclopedia of world art (1968) 15 v. 2 supplement vols. (1983, 1987) N31.E533 Art reference1987) N31.E533 Art reference

Haggar, R. Haggar, R. Dictionary of art termsDictionary of art terms (1962) N33.H25 1962 Art (1962) N33.H25 1962 Art referencereference

McGraw-Hill dictionary of art (1969) 5 v. N33.M23 Art referenceMcGraw-Hill dictionary of art (1969) 5 v. N33.M23 Art reference The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2009-2010) The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2009-2010)

1000 Fifth Avenue. New York, New York 10028. Retrieved June 1000 Fifth Avenue. New York, New York 10028. Retrieved June 23, 2010 from http://www.metmuseum.org/23, 2010 from http://www.metmuseum.org/

Smithsonian. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from Smithsonian Institute: Smithsonian. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from Smithsonian Institute: www.si.edu/siphotos/CAPTIONS/oppsrules.html www.si.edu/siphotos/CAPTIONS/oppsrules.html

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ReferencesReferences