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UNIT PLAN
THE ARTS
Strand: VISUAL ARTS
Unit Title: CONTEXTUAL VESSELS – Appropriation & Artists’ Books
Duration: 8 / 10 WEEKS – 45 LESSONS approx.
Year / Level: YEAR 10 / Secondary
LEVEL 6 – BEYOND LEVEL 6
Teacher: LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills SHS
Focus / Context of Unit:
 Develop an understanding of appropriation in contemporary art and how this reflects the postmodern climate of deconstruction and reconstruction of
the world we live in today.
 Develop an understanding of artworks in the form of books as vessels for this postmodern climate.
 Investigate and experiment with the practices and techniques of appropriation, drypoint etching, digital manipulations and construction of artists’
books.
 Research and critical analysis of artworks associated with appropriation and / or artists’ book AND students’ own artworks.
Core Learning Outcomes:
– VA6.1A Students make etchings and artists’ books to interpret appropriation within the context of art reflecting their contemporary world.
– VA6.1B / DVA6.1 Students communicate a resolved personal aesthetic by researching and developing the processes involved in etching,
constructing appropriated compositions and artists’ books.
– VA6.2 Students make and display etchings contained within an artist book to reflect an understanding of appropriation in art as a response to
their contemporary world.
– VA6.3 Students justify responses to research and analysis of original artwork/s and the subsequent change in context through appropriation.
Discretionary Learning Outcomes:
– DVA 6.2 Students integrate researched information to support their personal aesthetic with regard to the changed context of an appropriated
image/s in their own artist book.
– DVA 6.4 Students independently research and contextualize information about artists / artworks in relation to their own work.
Core Content:
 Forms - 3D artists’ books consisting of:
– 2D etchings – small experimental, B5 edition of eight.
– Computer manipulations
– A combination of: collage, drawing, painting, installation as chosen by the individual student
 Materials/ Media:
– etching materials, various 2D surfaces, wet and dry surfaces, found and made objects of students’ choice
 Skills and Processes:
– Deconstruct and reconstruct visual media
– Compositional design with consideration of the elements and principles of design, such as line, texture, shape, colour, repetition, size, proportion,
representation verses non- representation, symbolism.
– Analysis and evaluation of ideas in response to appropriation in art.
– A multi-literacy response to researched artists & own artworks (communicate a personal aesthetic)
– Purpose of audience – how should the students’ artists books be viewed or “read”?
LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills State High School, 2005.
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Possible Learning Experiences – MAKING IMAGES & OBJECTS
Time
10
lessons
3
lessons
Learning Experiences
Processes of etching
– Developing composition
– Completion of etching plates – B5 & small
experimental plate
– Printing of plate – processes as per
professional artists to create an edition of eight
successful prints.
– Extension of composition through the addition
of various media to introduce colour.
– Extension of composition through digital
manipulation of etching.
Investigate and experiment with various book
construction techniques using found and made
objects.
Resources
Making Task Sheet
Worksheets – Drypoint etching
Glossary
Printing press, Faust ink, Gloves,
Dabbers, Card applicators, Telephone
books,
Cartridge paper, Blotting paper, Water
bath, Turps
Newspaper, Scrap fabric for cleaning
Library / computer lab booking
required for development of
composition.
Sample artists’ books constructed by
teacher through demonstrations, in
addition to any private collection of
artists’ books.
Digital photographs and artists
statements of artists’ books in State
Library of Queensland Collection –
PowerPoint presentation/ folder
containing information on school
computer network.
Relevant chapters of texts outlining
examples of artists’ book and
techniques used for construction (see
Support Materials and References).
Various mixed media and found
objects.
LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills State High School, 2005.
Possible Assessment Instruments
& Techniques
Visual diary experimental work
Consultation - student / teacher
discussions and feedback of works in
progress.
Student self-reflection/ assessment of
successful / unsuccessful prints.
Teacher observation
Worksheets to guide research of
compositional requirements
Documentation of experiments in
visual diary.
Informal student reflection / analysis of
these experiments – written / oral.
Consultation - student / teacher
discussions and feedback of works in
progress.
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Possible Learning Experiences – MAKING & DISPLAYING
Time
5
lessons
10
lessons
Learning Experiences
Extend etchings further through various manipulations
of deconstruction and reconstruction, such as: hand
colouring, collage, photocopying, cut and re-arrange,
use of text, layering of text, repetition of images and
digital manipulations. Identify how these manipulations
may change the context of appropriation in the
etching.
Plan and create an artist’s book, as a vessel for
etchings, all manipulations and consequently, the
concept of appropriation in the world we live in.
Students’ independent research incorporated.
Resources
Inks & brushes, Watercolours
Computer Lab Booking essential
Scanning equipment and software
Knowledge and demonstration of
Corel Graphic Suite 12 software
Consultation - student / teacher
discussions / class discussions and
feedback of works in progress.
Worksheets on possible techniques.
Examples of artists in the context of
appropriation and artists’ books (see
student outline sheet for list of
possible artists)
Digital photographs and artists’
statements of artists’ books in
Queensland State Library Collection –
PowerPoint presentation / folder
containing information on school
network.
Relevant chapters of texts outlining
examples of artists’ book and
techniques used for construction (see
Support Materials and References).
Various mixed media
Found objects as specific to students’
planned artist book – may need to be
supplied by students.
LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills State High School, 2005.
Possible Assessment Instruments
& Techniques
Experimental work and planning in
visual diary
Student self-reflection/ assessment of
successful / unsuccessful
manipulations.
Experimental work and planning in
visual diary
Consultation - student / teacher
discussions and feedback of works in
progress.
Worksheets / reflections of
independent research in visual diary.
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Possible Learning Experiences – APPRAISING IMAGES & OBJECTS
Time
4
lessons
Learning Experiences
Develop an understanding of appropriation in art and
various examples of artists. And demonstrate that
appropriation is a reflection of our postmodern world.
Resources
Possible Assessment Instruments
& Techniques
Worksheet: What is Appropriation?
Visual diary
Various OHTs / PowerPoint
Presentation of artworks – for
example:
Tillers / Gordon Bennett
Zahalka
Mona Lisa & Contemporary artists
Edvard Munch appropriations – Sean
Leahy
Consultation – student / teacher
discussions / class discussions
Focused analysis – group work,
response to visual stimulus
1
lesson
Examination of symbols as a means of understanding
appropriation on an introductory level.
OHTs of symbols
Various mass media
Visual diary
1
lesson
Independent research and identification, through visual
media, of contemporary “icons” that represent the
students’ personal world. Various approaches possible
– for example: mass media, youth culture, political,
social economic issues such as globalization.
Visual media as examples magazines, newspapers, video clips
etc.
Consultation – student / teacher
discussions / class discussions
as an introduction
Visual diary record of evidence –
collage, listing, explanations.
(This task may need some teacher direction
depending on the dynamics of the class. Preferably,
this would be a student directed activity).
2
lessons
Research one artwork as a basis for appropriated
etchings to develop an understanding of the original
artwork and its context.
LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills State High School, 2005.
Worksheet: Appropriation: Step 1 Selecting an artwork
Visual diary
Photocopy of original artworks
Consultation – student / teacher
discussions / class discussions
Library / computer lab bookings
required
Focused analysis – group work,
response to visual stimulus
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Time
2
lessons
4
lessons
Learning Experiences
Research the purpose and intended meanings of
artist’s books as a means of understanding how such
art forms may be vessels for the contemporary art
practice of appropriation.
Critical analysis of students’ own etchings in relation to
original artworks. Therefore, demonstrating knowledge
of appropriation – that is, how the context of the
appropriated image differs or changes from the
original.
Resources
Digital photographs and artists’
statements of artists’ books in
Queensland State Library Collection –
PowerPoint presentation / folder
containing information on school
network.
Various web links / worksheets
Worksheets: All worksheets outlined
above
Appropriation: Step 2 - Appraising
your appropriation
Possible Assessment Instruments
& Techniques
Visual diary – evidence of all
worksheets completed
Consultation – student / teacher
discussions / class discussions and
feedback
Visual diary – evidence of all
worksheets completed
Consultation – student / teacher
discussions and feedback
Short Appraising Task 1 Outline
Extended Writing Task.
4
lessons
Critical analysis of an artist book which has inspired /
influenced students own book making techniques.
Example response
Short Appraising Task 2 Outline
Consultation – student / teacher
discussions and feedback
Example response
Extended Writing Task.
POSTSCRIPT:
 Appropriation in art must adhere to copyright laws. To gain an understanding of these laws the following resources are useful:
o Australian Copyright Council’s Online Information Centre www.copyright.org.au/index.htm
o Education Queensland: Web publishing for schools – Risk management http://education.qld.gov.au/publication/procedure/web/schools/riskman.htm.
 Various techniques may be employed in the development of the students’ etching compositions. For example, students may scan images and manipulate
compositions using computer software, such as Corel Graphic Suite 12 (Photo-Paint and Draw). An alternative to computer use could be to photocopy, cut
and paste, collage, distort and / or draw into images.
 With rudimentary elements of social inquiry and technology embedded into the concept of this unit, there is potential for an interdisciplinary curriculum where
subject boundaries are not recognizable. The unit concepts could integrate the KLAs of SOSE and Information Communication & Technology (ICTs).
 Due to the length of this unit, which two year ten art classes are currently completing at Alexandra Hills State High School, there are no examples of student
work. At the time of submission (August 2005), students were commencing the printing of their etching plates into editions of eight. There is the option to
submit digital photographs of student work at a later date.
 Finally, it is important to identify that the activities in this unit are based on a constructivist (student-centred) approach and are organised into three phases of
learning and assessment as stipulated by The ARTS Years 1 to 10 Syllabus – namely, exploring, developing and responding. It is important to identify these
three phases as interrelated and furthermore, co-existing with the processes of making, displaying and appraising images and objects. Therefore, this unit
outline does not lay out a sequence of activities from start to finish, but rather allows the educator to make judgments as to how to implement the unit in
accordance to the dynamics of their classrooms.
LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills State High School, 2005.
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Support Materials and References
The following resources were used with the development of this unit. Some references would need to be reviewed before using with students.
Print
Butler, R. 2002, A Secret History of Australian Art, Craftsman House, Sydney.
Curnow, W. 1998, Imants Tillers and ‘The Book of Power’, Craftsman House, Sydney.
Dogget, S. 2003, Bookworks, Quintet Publishing Ltd, London.
Feliciano, K. 1999, Making Memory Books By Hand, Rockport Publishers Inc, United States of America.
Harrison, H. 2003, Altered Books, Collaborative Journals and Other Adventures in Bookmaking, Rockport Publishers Inc, United States of
America.
Honnef, K. 1990, Contemporary Art, Taschen, Germany.
Israel, G. 1997, Artwise Visual Arts 7-10, John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd, Queensland.
Israel, G. 2000, Senior Artwise Visual Arts 11-12, John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd, Queensland.
Israel, G. 2002, Artwise Two Visual Arts 7-10, John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd, Queensland.
Israel, G. 2004, Senior Artwise Two Visual Arts 11-12, John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd, Queensland.
LaPlantz, S. 1998, Cover to Cover, Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals and Albums, Lark Books Sterling Publishing
Co., United States of America.
Leary, K. ed. 1998, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
Marsh, M., Watts, M., Malyon, C. 2003, 2nd ed., Art Research Theory, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Queensland School Curriculum Council, 2002. THE ARTS Years 1 to 10 Syllabus, The State of Queensland (The Office of the Queensland
School Curriculum Council), Brisbane.
Quoniam, P. 1997, Louvre – The Visit, English ed., Editions de la Reunions des muse nationaux, Paris.
LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills State High School, 2005.
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Smith, B., Smith, T. 1995, 3rd ed., Australian Painting 1788 – 1990, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Thomas, D., Thomas, P., 2004, More Making Books By Hand, Quarry Books Rockport Publishers Inc, United States of America.
Electronic
Queensland School Curriculum Council, 2002. THE ARTS Years 1 to 10 Curriculum materials CD-ROM, The State of Queensland (The Office
of the Queensland School Curriculum Council), Brisbane.
Other resource types and details
Digital Photographs of artists’ books from State Library of Queensland collection – taken with copyright permission from artists and State
Library of Queensland on Teachers’ Visit – 9th June, 2005.
State Library of Queensland Artists’ Books Online, List of books with extracts from Artist’s statements for Teachers’ Visit – 9th June 2005.
Artspace Mackay Artists’ Books Education Resource Kit – resourced through Carolyn Keighley, Education Queensland. (This resource has
numerous references to good websites and printed texts).
LISA SCHNEIDEWIN, Alexandra Hills State High School, 2005.