Lesson 4
Digital Nature
Unit wrap up
Project Description: Students by this point in the unit have experienced and seen several artists’ works that involve nature, Earthworks being a main focus. This last lesson is about the students creating their own documented Earthwork. The student is to create an Earthwork. They may work in groups or singularly. The Earthwork will be documented by photography. The end result is the student(s) defending the documented Earthwork to become a permanent public work.
Discussion Questions:
What are Earthworks?
How are Earthworks designed?
How long does it take an Earthwork to be created by an artist? Look up Jeanne-Claude and Christo’s webpage to see how they plan their works.
What steps are required to make an Earthwork?
How will you make your Earthwork appealing to an audience?
Activity 1: Come up with a theme for an Earthwork. This assignment can be done with a small group, no more than 3 or as an individual. The work can be in any setting, land, water, trees, fields, beaches, and urban cityscapes. The goal for activity one is to identify the Earthwork’s theme.
Activity 2: Collect information and visual references about artists that are interesting to you (as student). Document the references in your sketch journal. Review artists, Andy Goldsworthy, Nancy Holt, Robert Smithson, and Jeanne-Claude and Christo.
Activity 3: Design and create an Earthwork. The work should be reasonably sized. Ideally, the Earthwork should be nothing larger than a trash can. The larger the work, the tougher it may become to transport. The piece can be created from any natural material. The use of glue is permitted.
Activity 4: Construct the Earthwork and install the piece in a temporary natural setting. Document the piece within a natural setting. The photograph should be printed, shared and shown to peers for critique. Review and view works by Edward Weston.
Activity 5: Minor Assessment, Student Defense.
Share with your peers the completed Earthwork. Imagine that you are defending your Earthwork to a committee. Come up with a persuasive sales pitch as to why your Earthwork should become permanent public art.
Artists
C.J. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/
Goldsworthy, A. (1990). Goldsworthy: A collaboration with nature. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Goldsworthy, A. (1990). Hand to Earth, (1st ed.) New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Hollis, J. (1996). Wood Andy Goldsworthy. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Holt, N. (2013). Nancy Hole. Retrieved from http://nancyholt.org/.
Smithson, R. (n.d.). Earthworks. Retrieved from http://www.robertsmithson.com/earthworks/ew.htm.
Weston, C. (2013) Clouds, trees, and water. Retrieved from http://www.edward-weston.com/edward_weston_clouds_trees_water.htm.
Discussion Questions:
What are Earthworks?
How are Earthworks designed?
How long does it take an Earthwork to be created by an artist? Look up Jeanne-Claude and Christo’s webpage to see how they plan their works.
What steps are required to make an Earthwork?
How will you make your Earthwork appealing to an audience?
Activity 1: Come up with a theme for an Earthwork. This assignment can be done with a small group, no more than 3 or as an individual. The work can be in any setting, land, water, trees, fields, beaches, and urban cityscapes. The goal for activity one is to identify the Earthwork’s theme.
Activity 2: Collect information and visual references about artists that are interesting to you (as student). Document the references in your sketch journal. Review artists, Andy Goldsworthy, Nancy Holt, Robert Smithson, and Jeanne-Claude and Christo.
Activity 3: Design and create an Earthwork. The work should be reasonably sized. Ideally, the Earthwork should be nothing larger than a trash can. The larger the work, the tougher it may become to transport. The piece can be created from any natural material. The use of glue is permitted.
Activity 4: Construct the Earthwork and install the piece in a temporary natural setting. Document the piece within a natural setting. The photograph should be printed, shared and shown to peers for critique. Review and view works by Edward Weston.
Activity 5: Minor Assessment, Student Defense.
Share with your peers the completed Earthwork. Imagine that you are defending your Earthwork to a committee. Come up with a persuasive sales pitch as to why your Earthwork should become permanent public art.
Artists
- Jeanne-Claude and Christo
- Andy Goldsworthy
- Edward Weston
- Nancy Holt
- Robert Smithson
C.J. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/
Goldsworthy, A. (1990). Goldsworthy: A collaboration with nature. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Goldsworthy, A. (1990). Hand to Earth, (1st ed.) New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Hollis, J. (1996). Wood Andy Goldsworthy. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Holt, N. (2013). Nancy Hole. Retrieved from http://nancyholt.org/.
Smithson, R. (n.d.). Earthworks. Retrieved from http://www.robertsmithson.com/earthworks/ew.htm.
Weston, C. (2013) Clouds, trees, and water. Retrieved from http://www.edward-weston.com/edward_weston_clouds_trees_water.htm.