Activity number 5
Name of the activity
Transforming daily objects into art
Introduction of the topic
Transforming everyday objects into art is a creative process that challenges us to see the world around us in new and unexpected ways. It involves taking mundane objects and reimagining them as something beautiful, thought-provoking, or humorous. By transforming ordinary things into works of art, we not only exercise our imagination and creativity, but we also make a statement about the potential of art to be found in the most unexpected places.
In this lesson, learners will explore the process of transforming everyday objects into works of art through a series of exercises. We will use various materials and techniques, including drawing, collage, and sculpture, to experiment with different ways of transforming objects. We will also look at examples of contemporary artists who use found objects in their work, such as Marcel Duchamp and Claes Oldenburg. By the end of this lesson, students will have gained a deeper appreciation for the potential of everyday objects to inspire art, and they will have created their own unique works of art from everyday things.
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Source
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claes-Oldenburg
Learning objectives
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Learners will learn how to transform everyday objects into works of art through a series of exercises, culminating in a final project.
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Learners will gain a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of art in everyday objects.
Materials
- A variety of everyday objects such as paper clips, straws, plastic utensils, bottle caps, etc.
- Drawing paper or sketchbooks
- Pencils, erasers, and coloured pencils
- Glue or glue sticks
- Scissors
- A camera or smartphone for taking photos of final projects
Grouping and interaction
Duration: 1-2 hours
Interaction: Pairs or Teams (3 - 4 people per group)
Description of the activity
Procedure:
Introduction:
- Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever looked at everyday objects and thought about how they could be transformed into art.
- Show examples of contemporary artists who use found objects in their work, such as Marcel Duchamp "Bicycle Wheel" and Claes Oldenburg "Soft Typewriter”.
FOTO
MoMa.org
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Mutual Art
- Explain that the lesson will involve a series of exercises that challenge learners to think creatively and experiment with different ways of transforming everyday objects into art.
Exercises:
Drawing Exercises:
- Provide each Learner with an everyday object (e.g., a kitchen utensil, a shoe, or a toy).
- Instruct them to create a series of drawings that depict the object in various imaginative ways. For instance, they can draw the object as a towering skyscraper, a whimsical character with a personality, or an abstract geometric pattern.
- Encourage them to experiment with different artistic styles, such as realism, surrealism, or abstraction.
Collage Exercises:
- Give Learners a selection of found objects (e.g., old magazines, cardboard, bottle caps, and fabric scraps).
- Ask them to use these objects to craft collages. They can cut the objects into various shapes or combine them to form new, unexpected compositions.
- Emphasise the importance of considering composition and colour as they arrange their collages.
Sculpture Exercises:
- Provide lLearners with additional objects (e.g., wooden blocks, wire, and small discarded items like screws or buttons).
- Instruct them to use these materials, along with the original object, to create small sculptures. They can construct these sculptures by assembling the objects as building blocks or by integrating them with materials like clay or wire.
- Encourage Learners to pay attention to the balance and form of their sculptures.
Final Project:
- After completing the exercises, ask learners to select one of the objects they've been working with.
- Challenge them to transform this chosen object into a final artwork, which can take the form of a drawing, collage, or sculpture.
- Encourage learners to think creatively and use unconventional techniques or materials to enhance their final projects.
- Have each learner present their final project to the class, explaining their thought process, the techniques they used, and how they transformed the chosen object into a piece of art.
Assessment:
Learners will be assessed on their creativity, technical skill, and ability to transform everyday objects into works of art. Additionally, they will be assessed on their ability to communicate their ideas and thought process during the final project presentation.
Use of the device you created - sustainability of the artefact
When possible, give one or two proposals for the use of the artefact it was created
Example:
- Mathematics: The artefact created through the drawing exercise could be used as the basis for a tessellation project, where students create a pattern that repeats without gaps or overlaps. The artefact created through the sculpture exercise could be used as a physical model for exploring geometric concepts such as symmetry, shapes, and angles.
- Science: The artefact created through the collage exercise could be used as a visual representation of a concept or process in science, such as the water cycle or the stages of mitosis. The artefact created through the sculpture exercise could be used to illustrate principles of engineering or physics, such as stability, balance, and tension.
- Language Arts: The artefact created through any of the exercises could be used as a prompt for creative writing, where students write a story or poem inspired by the object or the transformation process. The artefact could also be used to teach vocabulary and descriptive language, as students describe the object and the materials used to transform it.
Extra activities
If time permits, Learners could research and write about artists who use found objects in their work. They could also create a collaborative installation using found objects, or design their own scavenger hunt challenge to find and transform objects outside of the classroom.
