Perspectives on Religion
Upper School Portfolio Project
History, English, Art, World Religions
Introduction: We are all confronted with labels, tags, and misconceptions regardless of our age, gender, race, religion or wealth. Why do we label people who are different from us? And once someone is labeled, how hard is it to actually see the person behind the label? How many times do we just stop at the label? Through this project will examine how labels can shape and limit our understanding and perceptions about each other.
Artist, Susan Harbage Page, uses her work to examine the labels, tags and misconceptions surrounding women. She uses the stories and photographs of female textile mill workers, and reclaimed and altered embroidery pieces to explore the changing identities of women in today’s culture. She uses her art to give these women a voice; to make their message heard.
Modeling your process after the work of Page, you will examine the labels, tags and misconceptions surrounding religions. You will learn about world religions from members of the different faiths and then will write their stories and create photo-emulsion images of them. You will work alongside the artists to plan, create and execute your own traveling exhibition and presentations that create awareness in the community and among peer groups about the power of labels. You will use your artwork to influence and possibly change the perceptions of society and learn what gives value to a work of art.
Objectives: Students will learn more about the modern day practices of world religions. Students will develop interviewing skills. Students will communicate abstract ideas through visual and written mediums.
Procedure:
1) Students will be assigned to a group. Each group will be responsible for portraying one of the following world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Animism, Christianity, or Sikhism. Students will view parts of a documentary on world religion and conduct initial research on the internet.
2) Each group will interview at least one member of the assigned faith. Students will develop a list of questions together focusing on practices of the faith and misconceptions that outsiders have about the faith. As a group, students will compose a subject introduction to their interview and then include excerpts from the interview in a document.
3) Students will take digital photographs (minimum 3-5) of symbols or images that show the misconceptions about the faith. Some photographs can also be more reflective of the religion.
4) Each student will create an artist statement that discusses the photographs.
5) The images will be used as part of the larger grant art display. Students can choose one image for their display or a collection of images.
6) 10th grade students will focus more specifically on the role of women in one of these religions and will concentrate their efforts to gender issues within different religions.
Labels, Tags & Misconceptions
ASC Grant and McColl Partnership
Museum Curators
9th Grade Visual Arts
Introduction:
Art is both a mirror of society, and a window through which we view and deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves. You and your peers will be creating works of art that will deepen your understanding of the power of labels. You will examine how labels can shape and limit our understanding and perceptions about each other and our society. As upper school students, you will become the voice for the students of Woodlawn. Working on a team, you will develop methods of getting the artwork and the message into the community to create awareness about the power of labels.
Teams:
Public Presentation Team : You will put together a 5-7 minute presentation that articulates the purpose of the project and promotes the importance of art in the community. When organizations like the ASC award grant money to community organizations, it is important to inform the public and town leaders about how the money is used and how it impacts the community. Your presentation corresponds with the ASC North fund drive. You will be speaking to leaders of the communities of Davidson, Huntersville and Cornelius at town hall meetings. By doing this, you will inform community leaders about the exhibitions in their towns and hopefully create awareness of how labels can shape and limit our understanding and perceptions about each other, and in the process you may also help generate monetary donations to the fund drive.
• Present in teams of 2 or 3 at Cornelius or Huntersville town hall meeting on February 4th
• Present in teams of 2 or 3 at Davidson town hall meeting on February 12th.
Design Team: You will work with the artists, Susan Harbage Page and Janet Lasher, at Woodlawn and at McColl Center. Using the designs of your peers, you will apply the technique of photo emulsion, the final step in the art process. You will also be providing design input and creating design sets for the displays and interpretations of the artwork at the opening at McColl Center and at area exhibitions.
• Opening night for Woodlawn exhibition at McColl Center on a April 4th 6 pm-8pm
• Exhibtion in Main Street Books 4/15-5/5
• Exhibiton at Art Festival in Davidson in April
• Exhibition at Cornelius Town Hall the month of May
Podcast Team: You will be creating podcasts to keep the Woodlawn community informed of the progress surrounding our ASC grant. You will provide a forum for opinions and discussion topics. This will involve interviewing your peer artists, recording studio activities, and facilitating roundtable discussions for students from each focus area. Each may each want to take a grade level to document.
Website Team: You will be responsible for designing a website that documents the design process of the grant from beginning to end. The documentation will require photos, written summaries, interviews, etc. You will serve as a connection between Woodlawn students and the community.
Assessment:
You will be assessed based on the following
_____ Ability to work with a team
_____ Journal to record notes, ideas, task lists, and thoughtful reflections
_____ Demonstrate a proactive work ethic - figure out what needs to be done next
_____ Demonstrate accountability, good use of class time, able to meet deadlines, attend scheduled meetings
_____ Craftsmanship/neatness of work
_____ Ability to convey the messages of the student focus groups about the power of labels