DESCRIPTION: Students recreate a painting or sculpture with their bodies.

OBJECTIVES: Students demonstrate an understanding of basic art elements. This activity also encourages close looking at artworks and helps students understand something about the nature of art.

PROCEDURE: Today we're going to see many different kinds of sculptures and paintings. So, I thought we could use our bodies to try and recreate the art that we see in front of us. (When you get to the first artwork that you want to discuss ask the following kinds of questions.) Who would like to be the first sculptor (painter)? I want you to use your classmates bodies to see if you can recreate the sculpture (painting) in front of you. How will you recreate the colors that you see? If there is someone wearing one of the colors, where would you place them? How about the lines? How would you place your classmates to show a vertical line? What about the shapes? How would you have your classmates stand to show a square, for example?

Let's look at another sculpture (painting) and see if a new "sculptor" ("painter") can recreate it. (Take time to briefly compare the lines, shapes, or colors involved in each work.)

VARIATION: Have the students make a sculpture or painting (using the bodies of their classmates) that they create from their imaginations and have them describe/show the elements in their artwork.

MINNESOTA GRADUATION STANDARDS:
(1) Read, View, Listen
(2) Write and Speak
(3) Literature and the Arts

Age level: Appropriate for Pre K-4.
Artworks used: Sculptures or paintings that are simple enough for students to act out.
Props needed: No props needed.
Related to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: Yes
Notes: See the similar activity, Sculpture Maker in Level II, if you need more ideas.


© 1998 WALKER ART CENTER