Art Crimes: UK School Project

Instructor Kathryn Haigh led her class in a graffiti art excercise. This was the visible result. Invisible results included pride of accomplishment, recognition of talent, and relevant project work.

Project piece and two of the hardest-working contributors.

For the use of other teachers, Ms. Haigh was kind enough to write up her plan:

UNIT OF WORK PLAN PROJECT

TITLE Graffiti: Art or Vandalism
Area of Study: Art Room
GROUP YEAR GCSE
Unit duration 5 Lessons
Lesson Duration 100 mins (double)

Overall Aims

To become familiar with the use of spray paints / paint to make a collaborative piece of art work, which will make a positive statement about Graffiti being an art form
To experiment and explore the tools available
To broaden knowledge of different graffiti artists and groups who use graffiti to make a positive contribution to the community
To understand what site-specific art is and how it can be used to enhance the community
To develop drawing and design skills
Top understand the current issues surrounding the use of graffiti in towns and cities
To develop colour awareness

Intended Outcomes (Learning Objectives)

To work individually and collaboratively to produce a range of designs which could be used in the final piece of art work
To understand the importance of community work and what role graffiti artists have in the community
Create a range of drawings and designs in sketchbooks using the information gathered

Media and techniques

Spray paint
Colour
Blend
Design
Marker pen
Drawing
Design
Pencil
Coloured pencil
Paint

Health and Safety

Spray paint

Use in a well ventilated area
Do not inhale
Use with straight arm away from face

Scissors

Do not run whilst holding scissors
Cut away from self

Key Skills

Literacy

Written notes in sketchbooks on different graffiti artists the history of graffiti

Numeracy

Measuring work to fit together as a design Critical and Contextual research: resources and strategies

Primary research:
Art around local towns: to discuss if graffiti is about art or just a tag war, discuss different ways in which materials has been used and importance of location Students designs: use of line and tone, design selection Photographs of local graffiti: to discuss use of location and tools

Secondary research:
Newspaper articles: to discuss if graffiti is an art form or just vandalism
Books: design ideas, use of colour, graphics and cartoons
Internet: www.graffiti.org to use this web site for reference and to gather information on different artists

Key Words and Concepts

Graffiti
Spray Paint
Colour
Walls
Legal
Community
Shape
Pattern
Graphics
Tag
Culture

Developmental Stages of the Unit of Work

Lesson 1

Introduction to Site-specific art and its role in society Introduction to Graffiti Art and group discussion on its role in the community Initial research of local graffiti and graffiti from around the globe H/K go to HYPERLINK "http://www.graffiti.org" www.graffiti.org and gather information on graffiti and select work you find inspiring or interesting, print out and bring to next lesson

Lesson 2

Using material gather to focus on the use of calligraphy and what is trying to be said or shown Introduction to newspaper article where local graffiti artists have rejected on the spot fines soon to be pushed onto anyone seen spray painting around towns and cities. Use this to evoke discussion on the use of graffiti Selection of different graffiti and writing up why each piece is interesting H/K Start to select which pieces are of interest and start to design

Lesson 3

Development of sketches to design possible end designs, which could then be used in a collaborative piece of site-specific art Exploration of different material especially the coloured pencil

Lesson 4

Development of work to produce a finished collaborative design

Lesson 5

Exploring different materials to start and develop final piece

Teaching and learning strategies

Didactic explanations with class question and answer Demonstration of coloured pencils Individual work for final piece and in sketchbook Working in a group on choosing a final design and making final piece Learning through didactic explanations and individual/group experimentation Differentiation

Task:

All pupils must:

Have produced a collaborative piece of art work to be displayed in the school grounds
Have a knowledge of different types of graffiti art
Have a selection of workable designs for use in graffiti

Some pupils may:

Have a greater understanding Graffiti Art and the origins
Have an understanding of the tools used in graffiti
Know how the design process works
Produce a range of workable designs including different typography

Assessment strategies

Continued student and teacher evaluation. Class discussion about different tools available and how work could be improved upon.

Articles and Interviews

Art Crimes Front Page