The Living Arts and Science Center Presents
Art Discovery field trip information for the exhibition
Capturing Light: the
Photography of Nicole White
and Gary Mesa-Gaido
Gary Mesa-Gaido
Nicole White
August 14 – September 25, 2015
Gallery Hop Reception: Friday, September 18, 5-8pm
Artist Talk at 6:00pm
Art Discovery field trip description:
Capturing Light: the Photography of Nicole White and Gary MesaGaido
August 14 – September 25, 2015
This exhibition will feature the illuminating and compelling photographs
of University of Kentucky Photography Lecturer Nicole White and
Morehead State University Art Professor Gary Mesa-Gaido as they
individually explore the nature of light as captured through the lenses
of their cameras. Experience photography at its core: the recording of
light. Through her art, Nicole White examines the reproduction and
distribution of photographic images, particularly with a focus on
technology and how images are seen and understood in the
contemporary world. Gary Mesa-Gaido, recognized for his altered
panorama landscapes, will exhibit a new series of work that documents
the subtle beauty captured when an open aperture is exposed to the
colorful lights emitting over today’s urban landscapes. Both artists will
present work that speaks of photography’s history, beauty, and its
ability to change and challenge our perception of the world we live.
During this Discovery, students will get to view photography’s
development from the invention of the camera obscura to the first
commercial camera, see their connections to the human eye, discover
the reasons why we take photographs, and how the photographed
image has changed over time. Students will witness photography’s
shift from documenting history to an art form for self expression with a
visual presentation and art activity.
Kentucky Core Concepts covered in this Art Discovery:
Arts and Humanities:
1.12, 1.13, 2.24, 2.25, 2.26
Social Studies:
2.20
Kentucky Academic Standards:
Arts and Humanities:
VA:Cn11.1.Ka
VA:Cn11.1.1a
VA:Cn11.1.2a
VA:Cn11.1.3a
VA:Cn11.1.4a
VA:Cn11.1.5a
VA:Cn11.1.6a
VA:Cn11.1.7a
VA:Cn11.1.8a
VA:Re.7.2.Ka
VA:Re.7.2.1a
VA:Re.7.2.2a
VA:Re.7.2.3a
VA:Re.7.2.4a
VA:Re.7.2.5a
VA:Re.7.2.6a
VA:Re.7.2.7a
VA:Re8.1.Ka
VA:Re8.1.1a
VA:Re8.1.2a
VA:Re8.1.3a
VA:Re8.1.4a
VA:Re8.1.5a
VA:Re8.1.6a
VA:Re8.1.7a
VA:Pr6.1.Ka
VA:Pr6.1.1a
VA:Pr6.1.2a
VA:Pr6.1.4a
VA:Pr4.1.1a
VA:Pr4.1.1a
VA:Pr4.1.2a
VA:Cr3.1.1a
VA:Cr1.2.2a
Art Discovery field trip overview:
As part of this Art Discovery field trip, students will experience a visual
presentation about the exhibition Capturing Light: the Photography of
Nicole White and Gary Mesa-Gaido along with an accompanying
scavenger hunt and art activity based on the exhibition. During the
exhibition component of this Art Discovery, students will get to view
photography’s development from the invention of the camera obscura
to the first commercial camera, see their connections to the human
eye, discover the reasons why we take photographs, and how the
photographed image has changed over time. Students will witness
photography’s shift from documenting history to an art form for self
expression with a visual presentation and scavenger hunt.
During the art activity component, students will create an art project
based on the exhibition Capturing Light and the early photography
technique of cyanotype also known as sun printing as well as explore
the basic elements of art (line, shape, form, texture, color) and
principles of design (emphasis, pattern, balance, contrast).
Pre-field trip activities and ideas:
Below you will find links and a brief description for a handful of short
YouTube videos that you can use to prep your students before their Art
Discovery field trip. It is recommended to preview all videos to make
sure that they are appropriate for students. Also, you can have your
student write a reflection about the information presented in these
short documentaries and videos.
A Brief History of Photography
4:09 video length
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsYzSZlzC4Y
A charming short video that covers photography’s key inventions
starting with the camera obscura to the lens camera as well as
highlighting important photographers through history.
The Daguerreotype - Photographic Processes Series
6:18 video length
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d932Q6jYRg8&list=PLGQCT4evnkY
KteJnvP28kjHFaac6A9AMw
The first commercially successful photographic process was announced
in 1839, the result of over a decade of experimentation by Louis
Daguerre and Nicéphore Niépce. Unfortunately, Niépce died before
the daguerreotype process was realized, and is best known for his
invention of the heliograph, the process by which the “first
photograph” was made in 1826. Daguerreotypes are sharply defined,
highly reflective, one-of-a-kind photographs on silver-coated copper
plates, usually packaged behind glass and kept in protective cases. The
daguerreotype process is demonstrated in this video.
The Camera Obscura at The Photographers' Gallery
3:37 video length
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ObaPEVS68
Janice McLaren, Head of Education at The Photographers' Gallery in
London, England talks about the gallery’s camera obscura.
Gary Mesa-Gaido: Feature
5:59 video length
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTweUBQfJHQ
An interesting interview with Capturing Light exhibition artist and MSU
Professor of Art Gary Mesa-Gaido as he discusses his ideas, his
panoramic photos, and the new series of photographs that will be on
display in the LASC’s gallery during his exhibit this fall.
Vivian Maier, Photographer
12:05 video length
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDewAU-rgIM
This short film is dedicated to the life and work of street photographer
Vivian Maier whose photographs were only discovered a few years
before her death. Working as a fulltime nanny in New York
Philadelphia, and Chicago during the 1950’s through the 1990’s, Maier’s
entire body of photographs were left abandon in a storage locker and
then sold at thrift auction in Chicago about eight year ago. Now,
regarded as a true master, this reclusive of women’s art is being seen
for the first time in museums and galleries throughout the world.
James Welling Photo Experience
3:30 video length
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZSNNm1jalU
A short video about the art of contemporary photographer James
Welling.
Post-field trip activities and ideas:
After returning to the classroom, have your students write a reflection
about their experience during their Art Discovery field trip.
Some possible questions that you could ask include the following:
What is art?
Answer: Can tell a story, communicate an idea, express an emotion or a
feeling, or reflect cultural beliefs and traditions
What is an art exhibition?
Answer: A place where art work is displayed such as a museum, gallery
or school.
What is a camera obscura?
Answer: At its most basic, a camera obscura is a device in which light
rays pass through a tiny hole to recreate a projected image upside
down on a screen in a dark, closed box or tube.
Why do we take photographs?
Answer: Record history, capture a moment, and self expression.
What part of the human body is a camera obscura and lensed camera
similar to?
Answer: The human eye.
Name one of the exhibition artist from exhibit Capturing Light?
Answer: Nicole White or Gary Mesa-Gaido