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Currents Teacher Resource Packet
Louis Zoellar Bickett, Curator
September 6th- October 20th
This Women’s Work, Aurora Parrish, wax cake molds, 2013, courtesy of the artist.
“Currents is a new exhibition series of work by local artists curated by local artists. As a
leader in the Lexington arts community, LAL envisions Currents as a way to connect artists
to each other, inspire dialogue regarding art and meaning, and elevate appreciation for
artists and the work they do.”
-Becky Alley, LAL Exhibitions and Program Director
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Dear Educator,
LAL is delighted to offer this valuable resource that connects art,
artists and art making to the classroom. The Teacher Resource
Packet creates meaningful connections between the art in our
exhibitions and the core content of the K-12 visual arts curriculum.
The content and images included can be enhanced through
interactive classroom visits to LAL’s Loudoun House exhibition space.
This packet includes curricular connections that implement topics for
arts discussion and hands-on activities that introduce the key
themes and ideas of our exhibitions.
Sincerely,
Colleen Toutant Merrill
LAL Education and Community Outreach Director
To schedule an interactive classroom visit, contact Merrill at:
[email protected] or 859.254.7024
For more information on our educational programming visit:
www.lexingtonartleague.org
3
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
The Artists
Aurora Parrish 5
Aaron Skolnick 6
Clint Colburn 7
Guy Mendes 8
Phillip March Jones 9
Haviland Argo 10
In the Classroom: Lesson Plans 11
K-6th grades- R. Clint Colburn
Hidden Image Paintings 12
7-12th grades- Louis Z. Bickett &
Guy Mendes, Capturing People &
Place 14
7-12th grades & foundations
Phillip March Jones: Daily
Workbook Collages 16
Webography 17
Class Visits to Lexington Art League 18
4
Currents Teacher Resource Packet
Louis Bickett, Curator
September 6th- October 20th
Introduction
Currents is a new exhibition series of work by local artists curated by local artist. Louis
Zoellar Bickett, a Lexington-based and internationally-exhibited conceptual artist and
photographer, is best-known for his practice of collecting.
Since 1972, he has been building The Archive, an installation of cataloged items from his
life. Recently he added Project Lexington, a photographic survey of his hometown that
captures daily life in such a way that it challenges the status quo, to his Must Do list.
Bickett's obsession with collecting, archiving, documenting, and preserving has extended
beyond things to include people. Throughout his experience as a self-taught artist, Bickett
has met, befriended, and accumulated relationships with extraordinary artists. These
relationships have informed his own art making and influenced that of others.
For the first time ever at LAL, this exchange between artists will be examined in an exhibition
curated by Bickett and featuring the work of five artists who have ties to Lexington: Aaron
Michael Skolnick, Aurora Parrish, R. Clint Colburn, G. Haviland Argo III, Guy Mendes, and
Phillip March Jones.
Above Left: Cultural Memorabilia Volume #10, Ticket Stub from a performance by
Karen Finley, University of Kentucky Memorial Hall, Louis Z. Bickett, March 29, 1992
Above Right: The Lexington Project, Lexington 4th July Parade, Louis Z. Bickett, 2008,
Courtesy of the artist.
5
The Artists Each contributing artist in Currents practices visual art in Lexington, KY. The themes and
images in this packet are connected to their past ideas and art works. To see their most
recent work included in Currents, please schedule a classroom trip to LAL’s Loudoun House.
Aurora Parrish
Parrish is an installation and performance artist who lives
and works in Lexington, Kentucky. She has earned top
honors for her piece Fragile Becomes You in University of
Kentucky’s annual Carey Ellis Juried Student Art Exhibition.
Parrish has also exhibited in Expanded Music Project and
was featured in a solo exhibition This Woman's Work at Land
of Tomorrow. She currently lives in Lexington, KY.
Themes
Ritual
Domesticity
Fantasy
Labor
Fragility
Narrative
Materials
Fabric
Feathers
Thread
Paper
Graphite
Process
Sewing
Drawing
Installation
Performance
Above: This Women’s Work,
thread on paper, 2013.
Left: music, To Fill a Vacancy by
Neva Geoffrey, antique case,
watercolors, scotch tape, wire and
headphones wrapped in string,
2010, courtesy of the artist.
For more art images visit:
http://www.aurorachilds.com/a
6
Aaron Skolnick
Themes
Iconic Imagery
Popular Culture
Identity
Memory & Nostalgia
Propagation
Repetition
Materials
Graphite
Ink
Paint
Mylar
Process
Drawing
Painting
Performance
Photography
Skolnick’s meticulous graphite and ink renderings depict iconic
imagery and uncanny-self portraits. Through examining ideas of
the “American Dream” he explores the real or “thingness” of
the reality around him. Skolnick maintains a consistent daily
artistic practice that exerts time limits, physical constraints and
drawing imagery from memory. A recent Bachelor of Fine Art
graduate from the University of Kentucky, he has exhibited
at Land of Tomorrow in Lexington, Louisville and St. Louis, Mo.,
and at the Rare Gallery in New York. He currently lives in
Lexington, Kentucky.
Above: Jackie O II, ink on paper, 2012, courtesy of
the artist.
For more art images visit:
http://www.aaronskolnickstudio.com
7
R Clint Colburn
For Colburn art is a means for examining the subconscious. His
meditative paintings, drawings, and sculptures are packed with
dense and colorful imagery. Through obscured text and playful
visual juxtapositions, they explore the nature of symbols and
question their related associations.
Colburn attended the University of Kentucky and has exhibited
throughout the South and Midwest, as well as in London, Los
Angeles, and New York. He currently lives in Lexington, KY.
Themes
Subconscious
Symbolism
Faces
Patterns
Fantasy
Materials
Ink pen & marker
Paint
Paper & Canvas
Clay
Mixed-media
Process
Collage
Drawing
Painting
Text
Intuitive
Guy Mendes
Above: Gautcuff Series Below: Kiavs’ Voice, courtesy
of the artist.
For more art images visit:
http://www.rclintcolburn.com
8
Guy Mendes
Guy Mendes is a well-respected photographer in Lexington,
Kentucky, capturing the essence of place and person through
traditional darkroom techniques. Mendes’ timeless images capture
the unforeseen, figures and landscapes found in unexpected
positions and situations. Mendes is interested in what can be
learned from the unexpected, its’ loss, longing and desire.
His work has been widely published in books and magazines and
his prints are in many public and private collections.
Themes
Unforeseen
Portraits
Place
Signs
Wonders
Narrative
Materials
Photography
Silver gelatin print
Digital archive print
Publications
Process
Darkroom
photography
Digital photography
Black & White
For more art images visit:
http://www.guymendes.com
Above: Cow Rags above Marble Creek, silver gelatin print
Below: Jimberly's Ride, silver gelatin print, courtesy of the
artist.
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Phillip March Jones
Themes
Place
Paradox
Loss
Time
Materials
Workbooks
Ink on paper
Found imagery
Polaroid
Publications
Process
Drawing
Writing
Collage
Photography
Documentation
Phillip March Jones is an artist, writer and curator living
in Atlanta, GA and Lexington, KY. His vibrant paintings
and drawings are reminiscent of journal entries, often
completed in large series or within a meticulously
rendered workbook. Most recently, Jones has
documented a series of Polaroid photographs of
southern roadside memorials published in a book and
exhibited at 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, KY.
Jones is the founder and creative director of Institute
193 and has a small company called March Projects.
Untitled, Roadside Memorial Composite, n.d. courtesy
of the artist.
For more art images visit:
http://phillipmarchjones.com
10
Haviland Argo
Themes
Architecture
Universe
Cosmos
Unknown
Fragility of Life
Materials
Drafting
Drawing
Painting
Light
Mixed-media
Process
Architecture
Design
Installation
Haviland Argo III is an architect who grew up in rural Kentucky
and is presently living and working in Durham, NC and Lexington,
KY. Argo’s Currents’ site-specific installation explores themes of
artificial nature constructs by creating an immersive environment
of laser beam and terrariums. Argo is interested in being able to
blur the line between art and architecture at the right moments.
With Gray Construction and the McCall Group, he has played
major roles in the construction of 21C Museum Hotels in
Louisville, Cincinnati, Durham and Lexington. He has a degree in
architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate program and
University of Kentucky’s College of Design where he was a Gaines
Center for the Humanities fellow.
Courtesy of the artist.
11
In the Classroom Below are three lesson ideas for incorporating the content of Currents into your
classroom curriculum.
Guy Mendes, Dogwood from Rock Bridge, courtesy of the artist.
Core Content Standards
Kentucky Department of Education standards achieved with the below lessons.
1.13 Students make sense of ideas and communicate ideas with the visual
arts
o identify a variety of subject matter in visual artworks (representational –
e.g., landscape, portrait, still life, nonrepresentational – e.g., abstract,
non-objective)
o compare and explain purposes for which visual art is created
(ceremonial, artistic expression, narrative, functional)
o create new, choose and experience artworks created to fulfill a variety
of specific purposes
o demonstrate behavior appropriate for observing the particular context
and style of the artwork being viewed; discuss opinions with peers in a
supportive and constructive way
o describe personal responses to artwork; explain why there might be
different responses to specific works of art
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K-6th Grades
R Clint Colburn: Hidden Image Paintings
R Clint Colburn, The Body, 18 x 11.5 inches, courtesy the artist.
“I basically let my
hand guide my mind. I
start to see things, it
becomes an intuitive
conversation, a lot of
faces come out,
patterns, I try to let go
enough to be able to
let whatever wants to
come out, come out.”
-R Clint Colburn
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See & Discuss K-6th Grades
Describe what you see in Colburn’s painting, The Body:
Explain the colors, how do they make you feel?
Find and point out a pattern
Identify shapes in the picture
Explain what images you see…a face? An arrow?
o What is the artist expressing with these images?
o How does that person in the painting feel?
Express the movements the artist made
o Are the brush and drawing strokes fast? Slow? Dizzy?
o How do those movements make you feel?
Make & Do Colburn paints shapes, lines and colors first and then finds hidden
images in his compositions and emphasizes them. His fast and
erratic lines and strokes create an energetic feeling for the viewer.
Materials:
Paint, ink, graphite, charcoal, oil pastel on paper
Step 1
Students will create shapes and lines using a variety of colors and materials
o Talk to students about how different materials (paint, oil pastel etc) have
different textures
List emotions for students to convey with their drawing (for example, “create a shape
that looks excited, angry, ecstatic!), continue to list emotions as the students draw
Another option is to use music, students listen to different types of music (fast and
slow in tempo) and to create brush or drawing strokes that convey the feeling of the
beat
For the paint and ink, use non-traditional paint tools like sponges, hands, balled up
paper, etc.
Step 2
Students hang their compositions up on the wall and take time to look
During reflection students can write down or draw hidden images from their
compositions
o A good analogy is looking for pictures in clouds, or for younger students make
it an “I-Spy” game
Demonstrate strategies for “Emphasis” to the students such as: highlighting,
outlining, color, texture, contrast
Using any material, challenge students to “emphasize” the images they find
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7-12th Grades
Louis Z. Bickett & Guy Mendes: Capturing People & Place
Photography Project
Louis Z. Bickett, Jefferson Street & Vicinity, June 18th, 2013.
Guy Mendes, Georgia Henkel, silver gelatin photograph, courtesy of the artist.
“…sometimes you can see it
better in the photograph as a
whole then when you are
standing there in real life
because in real life you are
racking your focus. Your eyes
are focusing on the tree, on the
far or in between, but you never
see the whole picture, the finite
detail that some lenses,
cameras and film can render.”
-Guy Mendes
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See & Discuss 7-12th Grades
Describe what you see in Bickett’s and Mendes’ photographs:
Identify differences between using color and black & white prints
o Does either approach change the overall mood of the composition?
Describe the compositions
o Explain the type of balance utilized
o What type of perspective is used in the composition?
o How do lines, shapes and balance lead your eyes around the composition?
Analyze the meaning
o What is the photographer expressing to the viewer?
o Both artists use one point perspective, does that affect the images meaning?
o Describe any text, symbols or imagery that gives meaning to the image
Make & Do Louis Bickett and Guy Mendes both agree that the best photographs occur on your daily
excursions and to never leave the house without your camera. Bickett’s series The Lexington
Project is a daily exercise to document the essence of Lexington, Kentucky. Mendes on the
other hand prefers to photograph environments that are unforeseen and places and people
of interest and wonder.
Materials:
Digital camera, smart phone or manual camera, computer screen or dark room
Step 1
Reflect upon Louis Bickett’s and Guy Mendes’ photographs. Decide which
photography approach you prefer as an artist; are you more of a documenter like
Bickett? Or do you seek out unusual places and people like Mendes? Write a brief
summary describing which method you prefer and how you would implement that
method as a photographer.
Step 2
Walk around your school and surrounding neighborhood or take a field trip downtown
Photograph people, places or objects that you find engaging or interesting
Consider your point of view: where are you photographing from? Above? Below?
Both Bickett and Mendes stress the importance of light in their photographs: identify
your light source, is it the sun? Indoor light?
Step 3
Reflect upon your photographs in a group critique
Analyze and examine your photographs using the questions from “See & Discuss”
16
7th-12th Grades & foundations level art in college
Phillip March Jones: Daily Workbook Collages
Phillip March Jones, 2003-2005 Workbook, courtesy of the artist.
17
See & Discuss 7-12th Grades
Describe what you see in Phillip March Jones’ daily workbook:
List the materials/methods Jones used in his collage
o Photos, drawing, painting, ink, text, etc.
Describe the imagery you see in the workbooks
o What does that imagery tell you about the artist?
How can a daily workbook become a springboard for inspiration?
o Could the collected imagery and information be a starting point for other art
projects?
What type of imagery or text would you put in your own daily workbook?
o Found images, drawings, paintings, poetry, stories, lists
Make & Do Phillip March Jones’ workbooks document his thoughts and visual inspirations within the
form of a book that becomes its own visual art work. Looking into Jones’ workbooks is
almost like a preview of his unconscious mind. Whether with imagery, drawings or writing
artists have been producing similar books dating as far back Leonardo Da Vinci.
Materials:
Sketchbook or handmade paper book (simple construction with staples is
affordable), magazines or old pictures for collage, glue, markers, ink, paint, graphite,
stickers and other mixed media
Step 1:
Collect or draw imagery of inspiration everyday and incorporate it into your workbook
o Magazines of interest, photos from Facebook, family photos, stickers, doodles
Gather text that you find interesting or write your own
o Poetry, stories, inspiring quotes, names, titles, lists, song lyrics
On a daily basis, spend time incorporating these “inspirations” into your workbook,
begin to analyze if any of the imagery you choose has a common theme, aesthetic or
other visual similarity
Step 2:
Analyze the ideas and imagery from your workbook
Could any of your compositions turn into larger art projects?
Take time to look over your classmates workbooks, discuss the similarities and
differences in your collages
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Webography
Lexington Art League http://www.lexingtonartleague.org/
LAL Learning Resources & Teen Class Schedule http://www.lexingtonartleague.org/learn
LAL Exhibitions http://www.lexingtonartleague.org/exhibitions
Louis Z. Bickett Artist Website http://www.louisbickett.com/
Aurora Parrish Artist Website http://www.aurorachilds.com/a
Aaron Skolnick Artist Website http://www.aaronskolnickstudio.com
R Clint Colburn Artist Website http://www.rclintcolburn.com
Guy Mendes Artist Website http://www.guymendes.com
Phillip March Jones Artist Website http://phillipmarchjones.com
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Class Visits to Lexington Art League
About:
LAL is located in the historic Loudoun House in Castlewood Park and is central
Kentucky’s oldest and largest visual arts organization. LAL presents original,
creative and accessible programs, with a reputation for thought-provoking
content, that illuminates the role of visual art in contemporary life. LAL affirms
its commitment to art’s transformative power, artistic freedom, exploration,
risk, learning and growth, and responsible leadership in the visual arts.
Vision:
The Lexington Art League envisions a world where art, artists, and art-making
are central to human inspiration, self-realization, and meaning.
Mission:
To challenge, educate, engage and enhance our community through visual art.
Class Visits:
Lexington Art League offers interactive tours for elementary, middle school,
high school and college students. Tours can be in line with our Teacher
Resource Packets or your specific classroom curriculum. Tours are free and
limited to one class at a time. Class visits are available anytime of the year
during gallery hours.
To schedule a class visit please contact LAL’s Education and Community
Outreach Director, Colleen Merrill at [email protected] or
859.254.7024