Combining Visual and Written ImageryDonnalyn E. Shuster

Frankfort-Schuyler High School, Frankfort, NY

dshuster@frankfort-schuyler.org

ART WITH A MESSAGE

How can an artist express an issue in both a two and three dimensional format?

• How does using the two formats change the way the message is perceived by the viewer?

• How does the power of advertising and mass media affect us as a culture?

Essential Question:Essential Question:

Born 1950, Gallipolis Ohio, USA. Jenny Holzer is an abstract painter who turned to language to paint ideas. Her one-line works have appeared on posters, t-shirts, park benches, large-scale public spaces, and even commercial television.

Jenny Holzer has been developing a visual investigation with written language; her displays borrow

from mainstream.

A SINGLE EVENT CAN HAVE INFINITELY MANY INTERPRETATIONS

ABSOLUTE SUBMISSION CAN BE A FORM OF FREEDOM

ABUSE OF POWER COMES AS NO SURPRISE

ACTION CAUSES MORE TROUBLE THAN THOUGHT

“Truisms…….something to think about. How could you create a visual image of these phrases?”

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Holzer's first works used the commercial technique of photolithography appearing on telephone booths and walls in urban settings. Her similar, ironic declarations, observations, and aphorisms are used in a variety of formats venues.

Using common advertising and merchandising strategies, Holzer issues printed products including pencils, decals, coffee mugs, T-shirts, golf balls, and baseball caps, thus making her art more widely accessible.

While her first truisms read like a list of claims, done alphabetically in groups of forty to sixty on sheets of paper, her printing of single messages on such multiples enables the "consumer" to select specific points of view to own, display, or wear.

This interactive aspect of Holzer's work was also evident in the early posted truisms on which

passersby often wrote responses.

Jenny Holzer. (American, born 1950).

Abuse of Power Comes As No Surprise from the series Truisms T-shirts. (1980-). Multiple of screenprint on T-shirt. Publisher: the artist, New York. Printer: Artisan Silkscreen, NY

Barbara Kruger was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1945. After attending Syracuse University, the School of Visual Arts, and studying art and design at Parson’s School of Design in New York, Kruger got a design job at Condé Nast Publications. Working for Mademoiselle Magazine, she was quickly promoted to head designer.

Barbara worked as a graphic designer, art director, and picture editor in the art departments at House and Garden, Aperture, and other publications. Her strong background in design shows in the work that has made her famous.

She layers found photographs from existing sources with pithy and aggressive text that involves the viewer in the struggle for power and control that her captions speak to.

In their trademark black letters against a slash of red background, some of her instantly recognizable slogans read “I shop therefore I am,” and “Your body is a battleground."

Her text questions the viewer about feminism, classicism, consumerism, and individual autonomy and desire, although her black-and-white images are taken from the mainstream magazines that sell the very ideas she is disputing.

Along with exhibitions in museums and galleries worldwide, Kruger’s work has appeared on billboards, bus cards, posters, a public park, a train station platform in Strasbourg, France, and in other public commissions.

She lives in New York and Los Angeles

Barbara Kruger. (American, born 1945).

I shop therefore I am. (1990).

Photolithograph on paper shopping bag

Composition: 12 3/8 x 9 13/16" Sheet (bag): 17 5/16 x 10 3/4 x 4 3/16"

Would the message be the same if presented on another surface?

What does this work say to you?

What does it make you think about?

Barbara Kruger. (American, born 1945). Whose justice? Whose morality? Whose community? Whose family? Whose values

Cover for Newsweek magazine 8 June 1992

“ We Don’t Need Another Hero” was a billboard artwork by Barbara Kruger that appeared simultaneously on sites in fourteen different cities in Britain and Ireland in January and February 1987.

Consider materials, placement, composition…

How does that impact the message?

Your Task As A Visual Artist:

• Design a bas relief work of art that will combine images and sculpture that reflects an current event, social or political issue.

• Consider ways to incorporate words with your sculpture that will feature a human face & hang on a wall in a group installation.

DevelopingThe Conceptual Piece

• Students choose a ‘trusim’ using a grab bag to randomly select a point to focus on.

• Sketches are developed and through individual conferencing, a plan for the sculpture is developed. Since this is a large scale piece, students are encouraged to plan for acquisition of materials to support the image.( packing boxes for cardboard, bubble wrap to support bodies, etc.

Art With a message

The process of developing your idea through reverse tape casting

Why Use Process Visuals in the Classroom?

• By breaking a process down into simple steps, it is easier for the learner to remember complicated procedures.

• You have a visual record of a demonstration to post or hand out.

• A reference point is immediately available as you demonstrate.

• It helps eliminate the constant questions of “What do I do next?” and “ How do I…..?”

• It is a great argument for acquisition of a digital camera for your classroom!

REVERSE TAPE CASTING

This process involves using a reverse tape process to capture the selected pose by the model.

Each part of the body is cast in sections, then joined together.

Teams of 2 – 3 students work together.

Wrapping the HandStart at wrist and overlap slightly

The first layer is sticky side out! Overlap carefully and cover to end of hand.

It is possible to wrap thumbs and individual fingers with practice.

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To remove cast, carefully insert scissors and take small snips.

The cast is ready to be removed.

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Casting the forearm

Begin the wrap, sticky side out, at

the wrist.

Continue to wrap overlapping slightly up to the elbow.

After first layer, place next layer sticky side down.

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Once the arm is wrapped, carefully cut a slit through the entire cast.

Removing the arm cast

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Assembling the Hand and Arm

Position the hand and insert the arm slightly into it. Tape carefully to strengthen the joint.

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The Finished Sculptures

Students are required to create a ‘museum label’ and an artistic statement to accompany their pieces prior to installation.

Gallery Presentation

• Pieces were installed at our Festival of The Arts in May.

• Fishing line helped to created the floating illusion!

Project Extensions

• Creation of a school mascot

• Posed students for George Segal – like sculptures – A Day In The Life Of A Student……

• Permanent installation of figures in the school.

Hints For Success

• Patience!! • Purchase clear packing tape at the dollar store.• Acquire lightweight plastic wrap to strengthen

the bodies if they are holding up their own weight.

• Keep projects out of heat/strong sunlight.• Try using colored plastic wrap in sculptures.• Above all – be flexible and have fun in the

process!

Thanks to our inspirations for this unit….

Kris Fontes, Union City School District Pennsylvania

Judy Decker – The Incredible Art Department