Lesson 2: Analyze Materials & Art Ideas
Public art is intended to be enjoyed by everyone in the community. Public artworkscan be both inside or outside. When public artworks are outside, they must endure the elements of extreme heat and sun, the harshness of snow and ice, or the variability of wind or rain. Safety and security of the work should be considered, too, as individuals may interact or come into contact with the work. Artists must consider what materials to use based on the location of the artwork and whether it is 2D or 3D. In this lesson, students and teachers alike will investigate public art artworks, paying attention to where they are located, as well as the materials used. Having gathered that data, students will begin to sketch their ideas for a public artwork and talk about where art work could be placed in their community.
Lesson Activity
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Display images and learn about a variety of public art works such as:
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Philadelphia’s Iroquois, by Mark di Suvero; gigantic, painted steel beams, abstract and energetic.
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Old Glory, also by Mark di Suvero, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Washington’s Fractal Tree Archway, where trees and math meet in a campus gateway.
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Public Art Omaha’s Wind and Water Sculpture Collection. Notice the materials, placement, and interaction between the landscape and the installation.
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The Many Faces of Inglewood, hundreds of painted tiles pieced together like a patchwork quilt.
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Dundy County Stratton’s Tigers mural featured in the segment Students, Staff Bringing Art to the Community With Shared Mural” by Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal.
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Ask, “What materials and designs speak to you?”
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Invite students to discuss what they notice about the different materials used in the public art and how it interplays with the surroundings.
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Hold a mock “Community Art Jury” where students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of locations for public art whether it’s at a school, in a park, or at another location in the community.
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Explore how history, place, and materials shape public art.
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Brainstorm materials (recycled metal, mosaic, LED lights, traditional paint, digital prints, found objects) that could be safely used.
Students sketch their own mural or sculpture idea for a chosen Nebraska location.
Consider using Scholastic’s Public Art Sketchbook Starters if students need ideas.
Lesson Resources
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Philadelphia’s Iroquois by Mark di Suvero
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Old Glory by Mark di Suvero at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Washington State’s Fractal Tree Archway
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Wind and Water Sculpture Collection of Public Art Omaha.
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Dundy County Stratton’s Tigers Mural in “Students, Staff Bringing Art to the Community With Shared Mural” by Nebraska Public Media’s Jolie Peal.
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This public art was made possible by the Arts NOW Grant, a one time grant opportunity that supported arts education projects in Nebraska’s schools made possible through a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska Arts Council.
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