Chuck Close
UNIT 1: IDENTITY
LTC 4240: Art for Children
Presentation by Mary Franco
and Amber Ward
Artist Chuck Close writes note to younger self
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR3ELuZjLw
(5:02)
Big Self-Portrait
Chuck Close
1967–1968
acrylic on canvas
With hard work and determination,
Close assumed a new
IDENTITY
“one of the most recognized artists of our era”
(who just happens to have a few disabilities.)
Chuck Close’s work is about
IDENTITY
By creating monumental
hyperrealistic portraits,
Close captures the
model’s unique
IDENTIFYING MARKS that
distinguish her from
all others.
Leslie, 1973
Chuck Close
Close’s mark-making impacts
Perceived IDENTITY
of the model
MULTIPLES of friend, Composer Phillip
Close has portrayed Glass’s face more than any
other, recycling a 1968 image of the composer
“150 times or something” (Comita citing Close, 2007)
Glass
Chuck Close, “Georgia,” 1984
Pulp Paper Collage
Chuck Close, “Zhang Huan I,” 2008
Chuck Close,
“Fanny/Fingerpainting,” 1985
His marks, methods, and MATERIALS
evoke different feelings about each
model’s IDENTITY
Chuck Close, “Lucas,” 1987
“I think problem-solving is highly overrated.
Problem CREATION is much more interesting. If
you want to react personally, you have to move
away from other people’s ideas. You have to
back yourself into your own corner where no
one else’s solutions apply and ask yourself to
behave as an individual.”
(Greenberg & Jordan citing Close, 1998)
Chuck Close meets Walt Disney:
Marks, Multiples, and Materials
LTC 4240: Art for Children
Spring Semester 2013
Lesson Created by Olivia Gude
Into the Complex Characters of Disney
1.
2.
Begin on page 2
Consider two Disney characters that, for some reason, appeal to you:
one protagonist and one antagonist
3. Write the two names on the provided blanks
4. List traits of each character in the second column. Conduct research
on the web, if necessary (try Disney.wikia.com)
5. In the first column, rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 for each row
based upon similar traits (be honest)
6. Compete the last column for each character by providing evidence of
similarities
7. Find the average of both the protagonist and the antagonist
8. What did you find? Any surprises?
9. Consider which character(s) you would like to honor, and continue the
discovery process through artmaking
10. If necessary, complete the exercise again using additional characters
on page 1
Artmaking
• Using “marks, multiples, and materials,” create a painting
and/or drawing representing your multifaceted identity.
• Consider utilizing layering and juxtaposition to assist you
in honoring the unique identifying marks that distinguish
you from all others.
• Please experiment with several of the following
materials: Disney character pages, photos, tracing paper,
construction paper, scissors, adhesive, crayon, and/or
watercolors.
• Student
work:https://naea.digication.com/Spiral/Bureau_of_Mis
direction--WORKING
Words of Wisdom from Chuck Close
“Never let anyone define what you are capable of
by using parameters that don’t apply to you.”
“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just
show up and get up and go to work.”
“Sign on to a process and see where it takes you.”
“If you’re overwhelmed by the size of a problem,
break it down Into mini bite-sized pieces.”
References
Greenberg, J., & Jordan, S. (1998). Chuck Close, Upclose. New York, NY: DK.
Osgood, C. (2010, February 21). [Video interview]. CBS Sunday Morning.
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR3ELuZjLw
Rose, C. (2012, April 10). Note to self: Artist Chuck Close’s advise to younger
self. CBS This Morning. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxR3ELuZjLw