Students will co-create art by using methods of contemporary artists to develop a conceptual piece around gender roles/politics. Students learn about ideas of gender through large group and one-on-one discussion. They apply this knowledge by collaborating on a mixed media object about their experiences with gender. Giving meaning to materials when constructing the piece expands how students can manifest their ideas.
Targets: To create a narrative out of mixed media for the purpose of exploring how material can influence our message. To organize work about gender politics for the purpose of making our own gender narratives visible.
Materials: Household objects, glue, paper, yarn, markers, scissors, etc.
Process: Group Discussion (10 mins) -Students will share their testimonies about gender individually in a class discussion. -Make a graphic organizer on board of themes/sub-themes discussed.
Guiding questions: How has gender affected you today or lately? How have you noticed gender affect somebody else? What do you notice about gender in your daily life?
Activity: (20-30 mins) -Students will be instructed to form groups of two. -Students will answer this question by selecting at least one household object and manipulating it with the materials provided.
Presentation/Critique: (15 mins) -Students will present their piece in groups explaining what direction their work takes with gender, including their justification of materials. -Students share opinions and ask questions about each other’s work