BIG Idea: Human Rights
How can you share their story?
Before introducing Ai Weiwei to the class, I would begin by asking the students what kinds of issues are most important to them regarding human rights. Who would they stand up for? Who would they like to give a voice to? There are many people in this world who suffer silently and art is a tool that can be used to give those people a voice.
I would then introduce Ai Weiwei to the class and talk about the ways in which he has used art to talk about important social issues.
As a class we would then watch Ai Weiwei's "Change" episode on Art:21 at http://www.pbs.org/art21/watch-now/episode-change.
After viewing the video, I would give each student a piece of paper and ask them to make a list of images that come to mind when thinking of human rights. This list will be used as a beginning brainstorm for their project.
I will assign for the students to create a work of art in the form of a sculpture (using no specific materials) that tells a human rights story. Materials could range from sheets of newspaper to gathered earth materials. In creating their work of art, I would ask that students be mindful of the materials they choose to create the sculpture as they are an important component in telling the story as well.
After the students have completed their final projects, I would ask the students critique their work by asking whether or not what they have created successfully tells a story about the human rights issue that they chose. Also, where would the student choose to place this work of art if they could display it anywhere? What location would be the most effective and why? From what audience are they seeking attention?
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI love your thinking about illuminating issues that are important to your students. These are very good ideas: " I would begin by asking the students what kinds of issues are most important to them regarding human rights. Who would they stand up for? Who would they like to give a voice to? There are many people in this world who suffer silently and art is a tool that can be used to give those people a voice." They will learn that as artists you are endowing them with a voice.
Hi Kate, I'm very exciting to see you choose this big idea and the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Actually, I also wrote about Weiwei, but in different big idea. In face, he is one of the artists that I am most familiar with, because we have met several times, talking about art and politics. We regard him as a political opinion leader more than an artist, for the reason that he always gives a loud voice to the Chinese society, never keep silence to the unfair things and the dark side of the society, always fighting for the human rights such as the right of speech freedom with the evil government. It is a shame that in my country, such kind of people was taken into custody maybe only because he always tells the truth and has a great influence. And the government even used some ridiculous evasions to do this. But because of him and his artwork, more and more people wake up and realize the big problems of Chinese government, especially the one about human rights. So his artwork has a significant meaning to the society.
ReplyDeleteChuting, I can't wait for you to share about your meeting with Ai Weiwei in China. It will add so much to our class discussion. Thank you for sharing that information.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Chuting! I can't wait to learn more about the time you spent with Ai Weiwie, too. It's amazing how well known his political work is even in the U.S.
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