Kathy Banek

Finders Keepers!Found Object- a natural object, or one manufactured for some other purpose, considered as a work of art; an object that the artist finds and chooses to display without changing it in any way.

Objective/Purpose- Found objects surround us. They can be found inside our communities, homes, and even in our alleyways. I would like each one of you to think about your possessions and the value they hold. Then, I want you to think about the different ways others perceive the value of their belongings. Placing value on something has a lot to do with one’s economic status. Those who struggle day to day may perhaps value an object more than those who have an abundance of money. I want you to think about how our society values/disvalues objects, and how one object may be valuable to one individual and not the next (one man’s trash is another man’s treasure concept). You may decide to find objects, which are placed in your homes, or you can search thrift stores/garage sales/alleys for any interesting pieces. Once you have gathered your found objects, you will create a 2D/3D self-portrait/sculpture.

Duration-

Background/Justification- The use of found objects was quickly taken up by the Dada movement, being used by artists such as Man Ray and Francis Picabia. Students should be able to interpret and justify the objects they choose as symbols of their lives, personality, faith, beliefs, etc. The objects used should hold relevance to the artist/student. Students will use critical thinking skills and learn about interpretation and artist authority.

Skills- Students will need to be introduced/familiar with concept of creating self-portraits. Students may need assistance during found object assemblage.

Content- Students will be introduced to history of found object artwork and several modern day artists who use found objects to create their art, such as Bernard Pras- a contemporary French artist who arranges everyday found objects as installations or takes photographs of these objects to recreate iconic portraits and artwork.

Bernard Pras “Marilyn”

Community Building Assets- Students will understand/grasp idea of how our community/society value possessions based on economic status and/or personal importance/relevance. Individuals of the same or different economic status may hold different /similar importance and views on objects. Students will be able to see what individuals keep, what they throw away, and how one individual inheritance of a found object may influence his/her artwork.

Materials-

*Found objects of student choice

*Acrylic paint

*Adhesives

*Tools for assembling found objects

*Sketchbooks for gathering ideas, sketching self-portraits

Student Activities-

1.) Introduction of found object artwork and self-portraits/sculptures (show examples on a slideshow/Power Point)

2.) Students will journal/sketch what their found objects represent or portray and how they plan on to assemble objects to form a 2D surface on which they will paint their self-portrait/or how they will build and assemble objects to form a 3D self-portrait.

3.) Students will be asked to search homes, garage sales, thrift stores, etc. for their found objects, which they will bring into class to assemble.

4.) Students will spend time in class sketching multiple ideas for their self-portrait, incorporating their found objects.

5.) Once students have finalized their ideas, they may begin projects.6.) Have students type up artist statements, which will hang next to their artwork.7.) Students must fill out a self-evaluation form/peer evaluation form.

Evaluation/Assessment- Students are required to follow a rubric, which will be provided at the introduction of the project. Students will also fill out self-evaluation forms or peer evaluation forms. After the projects are complete, the class will participate in a dialogue, discussing the process of the project as well as interpretation of the artwork. Questions may include but are not limited to ideas such as “what is art? What is beauty? What do your found objects show/represent in your self-portrait? What message are you trying to exhibit?”