The Art Institute of Chicago (Pre-Visit))
Sandra Clair
Posen Intermediate School Dist 143 ½
4th & 5th Grade Art
1-45 min.class
Title: “Artist’s Purpose”
Brief Summary: Students will observe two posters side by side. Handout will be read aloud by
students. Writing activity will consist of three paragraphs. First two will discuss each artist’s
purpose to persuade, inform or entertain. Third paragraph will be a compare and contrast of
Nauman and Torres and their works. Students will also write in calligraphy, what words they
would like to see in neon lights.
Focus Art Work:
Classroom Sample Posters, digital slideshow, handouts Displayed: (1) Bruce Nauman print,
“Human Nature/Life Death, 1983 & (1) Felix Gonzalez-Torres print “Untitled”, 1989 Enamel
Paint on Wall (Photo)
State Goals: State Goal 25, 26 & 27A.5 Fine Arts/Language Arts
National Content Standards for Visual Arts:
Students compare multiple purposes for creating works of art. (Artist’s Purpose)
IL Standards/Benchmarks Framework 1.5.27 & 1.5.28 Extended Response ISAT
Students describe how different media; techniques and processes cause different responses.
Describe how the arts tell us things in different ways.
Understanding and applying media, techniques & processes
Reflecting upon & assessing characteristics & merits of their work & others
Objectives: By using the power of words, students will increase vocabulary while acquiring
skills necessary for critiquing art. Additional “extended response” practice for ISAT (Artist’s
Purpose- Reading/Writing)
Vocabulary: self-portrait, word portrait, dialogue, gesture, frieze, installed, entertain, inform,
persuade
Materials/Resources/Gallery Objects:
Artist purpose sheet, Artwork displayed by Bruce Nauman and Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Notebook paper, pens, pencils, calligraphy markers, www.artic.edu
Background Information: *See “Artist Purpose” information sheet
Preparation: “Artist Purpose” sheet with a piece of notebook paper set in front of each seat.
Pre-sharpened pencils and pens on each table
Activities/Procedures: Discussion/Writing/Proof/Rewrite
Those who finish early may write in calligraphy by answering the question, “What words
would “you” like to see in neon lights?
Extension/Homework: Think of three important events in your life. Write down the dates.
Assessment: Writing will be proof read, graded and rewritten on next art class.
The Art Institute of Chicago (Actual Student Visit)
Sandra Clair
Posen Intermediate School Dist 143 ½
4 th & 5th Grade Art
1-45 min.class
Title: “Word Play with Bruce Nauman & Felix Gonzalez-Torres”
Brief Summary: Students will gather around two different works of art to ask and discuss
relevant questions pertaining to Bruce Nauman’s “Human Nature/Life Death” and Felix
Gonzalez-Torres “Untitled”. Discussion of previous homework assignment will be discussed.
Focus Art Work:
(1) Bruce Nauman print, “Human Nature/Life Death, 1983 & (1) Felix Gonzalez-Torres print
“Untitled”, 1989 Enamel Paint on Wall - Gallery 136
State Goals: State Goal 25, 26 & 27A.5 Fine Arts/Language Arts
National Content Standards for Visual Arts:
24B.2 List significant contributions made by artists in several art forms
26B.2 Use a sketchbook/spiral notebook to record ideas and designs
27A.5 Describe how the arts tell us things in different ways
Objectives: to develop an appreciation for modern and contemporary art while understand the
differences and similarities in many types of self-portraits. Experiencing a live museum tour
expressing themselves using art vocabulary.
Vocabulary: self-portrait, word portrait, dialogue, gesture, frieze, installed, overlap, movement,
repetition, and medium
Materials/Resources/Gallery Objects:
Artwork displayed by Bruce Nauman and Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Notebook paper, pencils
Background Information: Previous art lesson, “Artist’s Purpose” and preview of artwork.
Preparation: Their three important events (homework) Plan day using AIC museum map.
Activities/Procedures: Looking at artwork. Students will be asked to answer the following:
Naumans neon sign-What words can you read? Describe the medium he used. Do you notice
words overlapping? Describe the movement of this piece. Which words are repeated? What
makes this piece better than yesterday’s poster and slide show? Proceed to Felix GonzalezTorres “Untitled” self-portrait of words installed ceiling in gallery 136 and ask students how this
piece is different than a self-portrait of Archibald Motley, Van Gogh or all the self-portraits
displayed in the art classroom? Next, tour will end by students discussing adding their special
events to this piece, (previous homework assignment).
Extension/Homework: Tell everyone about today’s trip and bring him or her with you next time.
Assessment: Discussion about museum experience.
The Art Institute of Chicago (Post-visit)
Sandra Clair
Posen Intermediate School Dist 143 ½
4 th & 5th Grade Art
1-45 min.class
Title: “Museum Experience in a Word Play Quilt”
Brief Summary: Students will write two words or phrases that come to mind describing their
recent trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. A word portrait will be created in a quilt collage form.
Focus Art Work:
(1) Bruce Nauman print, “Human Nature/Life Death, 1983 & (1) Felix Gonzalez-Torres print
“Untitled”, 1989 Enamel Paint on Wall - Gallery 136
State Goals: State Goal 25, 26 & 27A.5 Fine Arts/Language Arts
National Content Standards for Visual Arts:
25A.5 Recognize a repeated element that creates a random rhythm (crazy quilt)
26B.2 Use a sketchbook/spiral notebook to record ideas and designs
27A.5 Describe how the arts tell us things in different ways
Objectives: to arrange words in a new way, just like the way we view modern and contemporary
art. Pull all ideas together to form one idea of their experiences in a quilt.
Vocabulary: self-portrait, word portrait, dialogue, gesture, frieze, installed, overlap, movement,
repetition, and medium
Materials/Resources/Gallery Objects:
Artwork displayed by Bruce Nauman and Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Notebook paper, pencils
Background Information: Museum visit, previous art lesson, “Artist’s Purpose” and preview of
artwork.
Preparation: 8 x 8 fabric squares for quilt, assortment of various textile fabric pieces, glue,
scissors, pencils, paper,
Activities/Procedures: Brainstorm with students’ two words or phrases that come to mind
describing their recent trip to AIC museum experience. Write on a strip of paper and put in box.
Write on chalkboard to be used as example ideas for quilt squares. One group may also gather
student’s three important times in their life and write it on rolled paper on floor like a timeline
fashion as in Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s frieze. Maybe even place up on wall of art room.
Extension/Homework: Return to museum soon and bring your friends.
Assessment: Discussion about museum experience.