Chris Fennell

Concept drawings for Tool Fire
by Christopher Fennell

“Referencing the tremendous clean up efforts by the community and 

volunteers, the sculpture is a construction of hand tools 

over the existing fire pit next to the suspension bridge.”

-Christopher Fennell

Starter Questions:

How do fire and the floods connect in this piece?

How does the materials used in this piece impact its meaning?
How does the environment impact the art?

How does the art impact the environment?

*Discussion questions can be done in a whole group setting or in small groups of 2 or 3 students.  You know your students and the dynamic of your classroom.  Both methods of discussion have value.

Writing Component:

After displaying the image, ask students to write 2 or 3 sentences describing their initial response to the art work.  Questions to lead them in their writing:  What do you think this piece of art is about?  What leads you to believe that is the meaning of the piece?  Why do you/don’t you like this work of art?

*Allowing for writing in the art room allows for all students to develop their ideas on art beyond giving a select few the opportunity to share their thoughts in class.  Having word banks/word walls for students to pull from will take some of the fear out of writing.

Studio Project(s):

(Studio projects would take place after students have the background knowledge on and his work, )

Lesson 1:  The Elements

Media:  Paper Sculpture (2nd-5th)

Students will

·         Look at the characteristics of each element.

·         Choose an element they feel represents their personality best.

·         Discuss how the elements can be represented creatively.

·         Draw their element.

·         Review tints and shades in wet media.

·         Paint (teacher’s choice of wet media) their work using the colors that best represent that element.

·         Write a paragraph on how their element represents them.

 

Lesson 2:  eleMEnts

Media:  Painting (2^nd-5th)

Students will

·         Look at the characteristics of each element.

·         Choose an element they feel represents their personality best.

·         Discuss how the elements can be represented creatively.

·         Draw their element.

·         Review tints and shades in wet media.

·         Paint (teacher’s choice of wet media) their work using the colors that best represent that element.

·         Write a paragraph on how their element represents them.

Lesson 3:  A Wave of Creation

Media:  Assemblage Collaborative (K-5th) 

Students will:

·         Discuss collaborate art, its importance, its challenges, and its benefits.

·          Select a color family (could be tied to their element) that they will use to create a piece to the Wave of Creation. 

·         Attach construction paper to a toilet paper roll in a pattern using their selected color family.

·         Brainstorm why art is important, and create a master list of words.

·         Write why they feel art is important on their piece.

·         Help to attach finished pieces together into a collaborate Wave of Creation.