Metaphoric Self-Portrait
(click on the image to see an enlarged view)
Statement
All aspects of art involve making new connections and using ones that already exist. These connections can be represented as neurons. With art, the neurons are not only contained within the body and brain, but expand outward to facilitate new experiences and make real world connections. These connections have a job of communicating with other neurons and this is when networks are created. More connections and networks are made with every art experience. This web of connections and communication makes a strong and continuously expanding knowledge base.
Neurons are like students in a classroom. They are making connections in the classroom not only within their own brains but also to the outside world and with each other while learning and relating ideas. The web of networks that these experiences create becomes complex. This complexity is what helps students to connect different thoughts, brainstorm ideas, and think imaginatively. There are always opportunities and bits of knew knowledge waiting for a connection with other networks, represented by the red, organic shapes. These can be new experiences or information waiting to be learned by the students. I will, as an art educator, ensure that the classroom and experiences within the classroom encourage the use of not only previous networks but also newly created networks. I will make sure there will always be opportunities for students to gain knowledge and form new connections.
Brainstorm
1 - The five senses:
Vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch: All are important to art, making art, and learning about art. Different people experience art in different ways.
2 - Lenses: Looking at and perceiving art in different ways and through different "lenses".
3D glasses, goggles, magnifying glass (close up, in detail) , camera lens (out of focus, in focus), contacts or glasses, eye patch, etc.
3 - Journey: Map, key, door. Exploring.
4 - Neurons: Creating networks, communication in and out of the brain. Making real world connections. Electricity - Wires, plug, outlet, electric wires, etc.
Sketches
Posts
What a wonderful connection (no pun intended!) I really like your idea of neurons firing and creating connections. It truly is like the process of artmaking and education. As far as the composition itself, I like the effects of transparency and layering.
ReplyDeleteNot only can I see the connection, I can feel it too. It has great sense of depth, just like the human spirit, which is capable of great things. I also like the laying approach to the work, which is how learning is processed. You were able to take the complex and puts it in a form we can understand.
ReplyDeleteYou've made a connection ... I want to learn more. Great depth and layering. Deep thoughts. Thanks for sharing your metaphoric self-portrait little neuron.
ReplyDeleteidentity = family
Very touching piece, Emily. it speaks to the myriad of connections and neuron firings that happens in the art classroom as a whole, and in creating as an individual.
ReplyDeleteKathy F.
Love it! Clever way of illustrating your beliefs/philosophy of art and art education. I especially like the emphasis you put on the interactive nature of learning. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDenise - friend
Identity-family
ReplyDeleteAs your grandmother, it has always been difficult for me to be objective about your work but I wanted you to know that I was able to see the connections with the neurons firing and the learning you are experiencing and the learning you hope to pass on to your students. Your artwork was a very clever way to show that.
Hello dear friend,
ReplyDeleteI love this piece.. The metaphor works brilliantly. I really like the depth which is created by the "organic shapes." It creates the feeling of a great space, emptiness, possibility. If anything could be improved it might be the appearance of the neurons closest to us- they look too smooth almost. Overall, I think it works really well.
Identity: Friend
ReplyDeleteEmily, this is a very bright and creative way to communicate the connections between education and art making, or any learning for that matter. I like how you can take an idea that is quite boggling at first and make it into something very easy to comprehend--And on top of that, make a very pleasing piece. Well done. Now please mural my wall. Thanks.
My friend Emily!
ReplyDeleteI was very engaged by your self-portrait. You successfully extended your neural networks to me causing my own to emerge. I see the layering you've implemented here, and it is the perfect representation of the layered experience one has with this work. I'm prompted to become self-aware of the connections my own brain makes, as it is making them, and bridging with yours.
It's all serendipity because lately I've been doing some reading about neuroscience, my new pet subject. I love this portrait, Emmaline. My only critique would be that without the set up, the idea of neurally engaging with others in an educational experience isn't present in the portrait. Something to consider: the brain doesn't build it's connections in a vacuum. The self is enmeshed within it's environment and our experience of others.
Thank you for all of your comments! I'm really happy that all of you took time to look at my Metaphoric Self-portrait and leave your thoughts. (It means a lot to me).
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are things in my piece that need to be worked on and thought about more to produce a higher quality piece - especially what Michael mentioned. The main thing that I had trouble doing was connecting the ideas of my neurons to the outside world and still keeping a composition that I was satisfied with. I played around with the idea of electricity (plugs, cords, wall outlet and electrical poles/wires) All of these send and receive information, form networks and are in the "outside" world. I simply didn't like how it looked within my metamorphic self-portrait. Since I thought of this idea half way through my neuron idea, I think I would have had to start over with my idea and work from there.
I also agree with Brandon. That was my other difficulty. I like the idea of the neurons that flow out, away from the head, but they almost seem too removed from the rest. I agree they are too "smooth" and they lack the quality and texture that the rest of the piece exhibits. I tried to create depth with those by making some of them darker (that are further back in space) and some lighter (that are closer to us in space) but it didn't work extremely well.
Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions?
* I would like to invite you to give me critical and constructive comments that point out both my strengths AND weaknesses. This will help me understand how I can improve in future artworks - Thank you!
Identity: Friend
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the layering and transparency adding new level of complexity to your artistic metaphor. It makes me explore the idea of the aesthetic experience and our connection of art based on our previous experiences (or previous connections). As Donne said no man is an island. Nice work!
Dr. Nik
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFamily.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection hit upon the importance and reasons common to the whole theme of teaching. What I read was a simile: an individual making his/her own connections is similar to students connecting with one another. No wonder some students thrive in Art: it's a school subject by which students get to make connections to the outside in ways other than by set rules for reality like in other subjects. It is a great chance for students to connect with one another rather than constantly compete through the processes of memorization and testing. Perhaeps for some, the practice of art can remind them that other school subjects are also meant to make connections to the outside world and to think creatively, together.
Extremely imaganitive! The piece is thought-provoking, yet not so obscure that some people won't get it. It can make people think about connections in their own world.
ReplyDelete- Mike M. - Friend
Your portrait looks really good, very vibrant and active. I like the way the layers are set up, and the colors you chose. I think the neurons were a good choice rather than the electrical cords, it makes it more personal.
ReplyDeleteExcellent use of Photoshop. Your idea of connection is clear with your use of neurons flowing from the mind. However, after reading your artist statement I would like to see how the students' art experiences relate to the real world experiences. This "connection" could be demonstrated in your self portrait by adding images of current world experiences and artwork that reflects these world experiences. You could add these images in the large white/gray areas at the end of your neurons. Using the transparency effect would allow you to add the images but not let let them overpower the rest of your idea.
ReplyDeleteThe layers and connections within your work illustrate the way that we learn-in constant, overlapping stages and from so many sources. (I've learned as much from those around me as I have from instructors.) The merging and connectivity of so many ideas is represented well, and in a beautiful and engaging way!
ReplyDelete-fellow BFA student and friend
My name is Mike. I'm a friend.
ReplyDeleteEmily asked me to comment. The only remark I have to make is that I have no remark. I always enjoy Emily's work and would rather continue to do so than corrupt it with my POV.
Best,
-m in Detroit
I really don't think too much or know too much about neurons, but I find your self portrait has intrigued me to find out more. I really like how your composition is so beautifully unified and flowing. It truly conveys the flow of the thought process within students, and the currents of communication between teacher and student. I'm going to agree, again, with lovesart that it might have been neat to depict what concepts and ideas are actually being connected, but I also worry that this might have disrupted the oneness of the piece.
ReplyDeleteI also loved your idea of the teacher as the lens. This idea could be developed in several directions.
elementary art teacher
ReplyDeleteThank you for inviting me to view this project. I found it very interesting and I am jealous that I did not have an art education computer class when I was an undergrad student. I enojed reading your philosophy and think the ideas of connections is very important to art education. Your visual image was well crafted and interesting. I did feel it focused on the science aspect of the connections, where I find there is a strong emotional connection that could have been explored also. When you are in an elementary classroom there is so much excitement, enthusiasm and energy from the students when they are making these connections in art. It is that energy that inspires me to continue to find different ways for students to learn about and create art. I would have liked to have seen some of this "spark" in the visual image. Thanks again for sharing and good luck!
Laura L.
Emily, as a high school art teacher I like the steps for this project. I think this could be an interesting assigment for a upper level high school drawing/painting class. I thought you had good visual examples. If you were to teach this assignment what types of materials would students be able to use? This idea could be an interesting mixed media project.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck.
Cyndi K.
The piece looks great. You've really made the connection you were shooting for. But at the same time, the piece leaves for for the viewer to interpret it in their own way, which is what art is supposed to do.
ReplyDeleteTen years old
ReplyDeleteI see how it connects. It is neat and makes sense. When i saw it i thought of lakes and rivers and also veins.
12 years old.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very interesting. It's very cool to see something that you would even remotely consider seeing. It's like touching with your inner soul. Very inspiring to see that there is more to everything.
I'm one of Ms. K's students at Saline High School. I wanted to tell you that I'm glad that you put your idea into words. I fully agree with you, that the "neurons of art" expand beyond one mind, and connect us all. I like your idea because this can mean that anything can be art. I'd love to learn more about your thesis.
ReplyDeleteRob(comment above) - high school senior
ReplyDeleteI am a high school art student and I viewed this project and thought it was really cool. The Idea of everything being connected was an interesting concept. I really liked all the different ways that you could visually represent an inter-weaving network in art.
ReplyDeleteI love how the neurons come out of the person's head, it really expresses the thought that is going on.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors that you used, how it is dark and feels like the inside of someone's head.
6th grade student
I appreciate the message of art's ability to improve cognitive strength. This reminds me of a bulletin board I did titled, "Art Makes you Smart."
ReplyDeleteOn the board were several statements about how art can cognitively transform the students in ways that other content areas do not.
Each statement was paired with a cartoon. Some ideas were . . .
Art helps to make you more aware of details.
Art strengthens your memory.
Art strengthens problem solving skills, the imagination, and concentration skills.
There are many benefits to art that are backed by research. I agree with some of the other critics who felt you could have included images that illustrate those benefits. I think if you give attention to this detail your self-portrait could have the dual benefit of being an arts advocacy work.
An image that more clearly states art's benefits could arouse the concern and respect of parents and administration. When districts, families, and communities fail to provide children with enriched art experiences they run the risk of widening the cognitive divide. Children who have high quality art experiences have a greater advantage over those who do not. It's science!