See Something, Play Something- Experience Based Pedagogy
What is the overall purpose/focus/question of the research study your artwork explores?
See Something, Play Something developed out of the Richard Sigegesmund readings where a quote by Ronald Neperd resonated with me, “An awareness of difference allows for choices to be made, where as questions and unreflective acceptance of a position precludes choice”. My visual map explores the question, How do we get students and individuals to throw themselves into materials in order to develop their visual, kinetic, auditory, and spiritual selves, while at the same time process and build interpersonal and collaborative knowledge of their physical worlds?
How was the artwork produced?
The work was produced from wood scraps, construction paper, tempera paint, and wood glue- common materials that can be found in a school or art classroom.
What, in particular, did you attempt to accomplish through using arts based method(s)?
As an artist and educator I want to feel, and have others feel that they can see their ideas through the material, understanding the symbiotic relationship that their ideas have with the materials they choose to develop. Art and art education in its simplest form is the introduction of potential making.
What did you learn/find through the process?
Materials allow our ideas to take off in any direction and lead us to a deeper more profound understanding with new insights as to what we can do with our physical space.
What questions are you left with, in what directions might this work take you next?
Given the current state of affairs around education, especially in the arts and sciences, I question what the future will bring. There is a quote by Bill Ivey who said, “If we don’t teach children how to shape visuals, then visuals will shape them”. This energized me to look into curriculums and teaching strategies that allow educators to help our students foster thoughtful and imaginative critical responses to the world around them.
