• Printer Friendly Version

Assessment

Students will be evaluated using a rubric for their finished project.

• Art Rubric.xls

Learning Context/ Introduction

Students will create an electronic abstract expressionistic work in the style of Jackson Pollock using the SMART Board as a canvas that will be printed and matted for display.

Duration

Days 1-3: 43-minutes
Days 4-6: 15-20-minutes each for student to produce their work

Essential Question

What makes this art?

Instructional/Environment Modifications

• Computer with high speed internet connection
• SMART Board with attached LCD projector
• Printer
• Stereo
• Video camera (if needed/desired)
• If SMART Board is unavailable, one could use the computer screen and mouse/laptop with internet connection

Procedure

Day 1:

1. Introduce the artist Jackson Pollock and his style of Abstract Expressionism. See attached Background Information sheet.
2. Discuss Reproduction of Pollock # 8 or any reproduction of his action paintings.
3. Ask and discuss the question, "Is this art?"
4. Watch video of how Pollock physically worked on his paintings and also his comments about his work.

Day 2:
View YouTube video of Charlie Rose's interview with Kirk Varnedoe titled "Pollock Exhibit"- available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alREta8gLcE (This will take entire period.)

Day 3:

1. Using the interactive website www.jacksonpollock.org, model and create a digital painting using the SMART Board as the canvas.
2. Demonstrate and discuss how to achieve different line qualities and color changes while working to a selection of music.
3. Demonstrate printing process.
   

Days 4-6:
Students will select a piece of music to work to and using the interactive website as an electronic canvas will create an Electronic Pollock. Once students create their desired results, they will print and mat their finished work for presentation.

Reflections and Feedback

I liked the idea of the energy and motivation associated with working with the music. If I were to do this again, I would have the students practice longer to see if they could gain more control over the type of image made. As a greater culmination project, it would be nice to follow directly in Pollock's footsteps and work on a canvas directly on the floor. The students enjoyed this lesson on Abstract Expressionism and Jackson Pollock. The freedom and ease of using the interactive website made the students comfortable and unafraid to make a mistake

Student Work

See below for finished examples of high, medium, and low products for this learning experience.

Related Resource

1. YouTube video of Jackson Pollock autobiography available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrVE-WQBcYQ
2. YouTube video Charlie Rose interview of Kirk Varnedoe titled "Pollock Exhibit" available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alREta8gLcE
3. Reproduction of Pollock's Number 8 painting
4. The Art Book ISBN# 0714830321
5. www.jacksonpollock.org

• www.jacksonpollock.org
• pollock.wmv
• Pollock lesson.pub
• Background info.doc

Website(s)

www.youtube.com
www.jacksonpollock.org
Jackson Pollock Biography

Related Academic Standards

New York State

ARTS.VA.C.1.1.GE.C (GE) Students demonstrate an increasing level of competence in using the elements and principles of art to create art works for public exhibition.

ARTS.VA.C.1.1.MS.C (MS) Students give evidence that they have developed an emerging personal style.

ARTS.VA.C.2.1.GE.B (GE) Students use the computer and electronic media to express their visual ideas and demonstrate a variety of approaches to artistic creation.