Art Education...my two cents

While the group that presented last Friday did a great job of expressing why arts education, specifically music, is so fundamental for young minds, I thought I would share my two cents on why I believe art education is imperative and important. As everyone should know, I am an advocate for art and all things related, and was shocked when I heard how the Des Moines Public Schools would be making budget cuts that would largely effect arts education. Thinking back, I cannot imagine growing up and going to school without having art class. While my interest in art developed before entering school, it was definitely through art classes and my art teachers that my desire to learn more and do more regarding the visual arts increased. My art teacher in high school was my mentor; she encouraged me to follow my interest in art into a career. While some of you may not have had this experience, I want to challenge you to think back to your elementary days. Was it music class, P.E., or art class that was the highlight of your day/week? Given the opportunity, children have a desire for a release from the structure of in-class work. I loved and longed for art class, even throughout high school. It was the one chance throughout the day where I got to put aside my schoolwork and just focus on my creative innate spirit. I mean who didn't enjoy taking time out of their day to paint or draw or mold clay?

The one thing about art is that it is available to everyone. You don't need a lot of supplies to create a work of art. A pen and piece of paper will suffice. A box of crayons, markers, watercolors, whatever...all I'm saying is it doesn't take much. But the brain developments one achieves through the education of art are lasting. Art teachers not only teach about the color wheel, techniques, and design but how to problem-solve, think critically and outside the box, and communicate thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways. As the group last Friday pointed out, early exposure to the arts promotes activity in the brain. Art education, in particular, develops cognitive and creative skills which further develops the imagination. Art encourages inventiveness causing students to engage in a process that aids in the development of self-confidence, self-discipline, persistence, and self-motivation to continually make revisions to a piece in order to create a high quality work of art that the student can be proud of.

By participating in art activities with one another, children gain the tools necessary for understanding human experience and adapting to and respecting each others' way of working and thinking. Students develop crucial skills in cooperative decision-making, leadership, clear communication, and complex problem solving. The arts teach students to be more tolerant and open through multicultural and historical perspectives and through their involvement in the creative process.

I don't know about you, but these traits I described above sound an awful lot like what future employers are looking for. In fact some businesses host workshops to develop these skills!

Having art education in schools not only teaches and develops the above skills, but provides a haven where students can be who they are. Students learn to showcase and embrace their individuality. Art allows students to express things about themselves and the way they feel about the world around them, in ways words could never begin to. Without having a classroom, teacher, and time set outside for this, a student may never be exposed to this way of thinking, may never be able to fully appreciate the beauty of the world and the visual arts, and may never be fundamentally prepared for a future career.

For more info on this, visit the National Art Education Association at www. arteducators.org

--Carolyn

In the Prescence of History

On Thursday, March 25th, my internship offered me an amazing opportunity. I had tickets to go see the President of the United States speak on my college campus. I drove out with some other interns at the Statehouse the night before, spent the evening laughing and talking. The car was filled with excitement, we were about to witness a piece of history. President Obama had just signed the health care reform bill into law, and had chosen Iowa City as his first destination to celebrate. I would be able to tell people that I had been there after he passed this piece of legislation that would have a monumental effect on not only his presidency, but the country as well.

As we walked up to the Fieldhouse to wait in line, we passed a decent-sized group of protestors, standing outside the building waving signs with phrases like "Obamacare" and "Obama's Holocaust" next to pictures of death and other unpleasent things. I stared at them for quite awhile, unable to tear my eyes away from their anger, heavily displayed on their faces and in their movement. I tried not to put too much thought into what their posters said, after all, I know that is not at all what this piece of legislation will do. I found, however, that I had a hard time throwing their prescence out of my mind.

There I was, excited and enthusiastic, about being able to see my President, whom I respect and admire, speak on a bill that I knew certainly had to do some good. But in the meanwhile, there were people outside who believed in the opposite with exactly the same enthusiasm. It made me think about how all controversial government programs, like Medicaid, had to begin in the same way. With supporters and protestors taking sides and advocating for them by speaking outside buildings, creating signs, and expressing their beliefs in any way they can. And it was in this moment that I really began to hold great respect for our country and its founding principles. We've made it possible, not only for people to feel free to express themselves, but also for law to be an ever-evolving process. One that can be easily changed and altered to ensure success over time. No bill that ever passes is perfect, and there will always be some sort of problem with any legislation for one person or another. But the great thing is, that no matter what, it is easy for us, as a population to influence it as much as we can to ensure that it succeeds for many people in the long run.

The Farmer Capitalist

While I was walking around the Historical Society Building trying to find something that garbed my attention I immediately knew what I would write about. From growing up in Iowa my entire life and helping my grandpa and dad on the farm it was easy for me to be attracted to the display on the farming equipment and the diary entries from several farmers. When looking at the farm equipment it made me think of the definition in the Iwo Jima article that they gave for an iconic image. The actual display was made up of multiple images and events that took play hundreds of years ago and are still being practiced today.

Hariman and Lucaites stated that iconic photographs are widely recognized as representations of significant historical events, activate strong emotional response, and are reproduced across a range of media, genres, or topics. This farm display struck all of these emotions in me while I was looking at them. There is just so much history and tradition that was being represented. This display was a refection of the public's attitude towards the way they view and cherish their life on the farm.

The same equipment that was used many, many years ago to produce food and create a living for families is still used and practiced today. There was a quote that stood out to me describing why people would move to Iowa, "people moving to Iowa for farming and is good for the family." Even back then farming was a form of identity for people and families and they cherished their time on the farm as an iconic event taking place. Even though the prices have changed the same tools are still being used to make the food that we eat.

-Brekka Spellman

With a Plow in His Rear

The title of this blog, With a Plow in His Rear, is the wording used to describe the state seal of Iowa. This description was recently challenged by Rep. Ray Zirkelbach who proposed a bill that would change the wording. Apparently a plow in his rear means something different today than it did 163 years ago. Regardless of what the description says or means, the image of plow was a central theme to the state of Iowa when it was founded and remains a symbol that represents the state today. Visible in multiple sections at the State of Iowa Historical Museum were some of the earliest and primitive plows, to larger plows pulled by team of oxen, and even a hand-held practice plow you could try for yourself. The plow is more then just a farming tool. It represents agriculture, hard work, and the state of Iowa.

It is not surprising that a plow might symbolize the state of Iowa. A plow is used to turn the soil in a field. The field is used to grow agricultural products. Iowa is known worldwide for producing agricultural products. The state of Iowa offers much more than just fields of corn. Des Moines is a hub for insurance companies worldwide. Cedar Rapids hosts companies such as AEGON, Rockwell Collins, and industrial businesses. People outside of Iowa probably do not know these businesses are located in Iowa. People who live outside of Iowa associate Iowa with agriculture, and Iowa should be associated with agriculture. Take a drive from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids and 95% of the scenery will be of corn or soybean fields. Iowa has a lot to offer but on the top of that list is Iowa’s rich soil which used to be plowed manually by farmers.

Does anything symbolize hard work more than having to push a plow through the Earth all day? I am not sure if anyone tried to push the plow demonstration at the State Historical Center, but it was not exactly easy and I could not imagine doing that all day long (and only covering two acres of land). A plow symbolizes being out in the fields, doing hard manual labor, having some sweat on your brow, and knowing you accomplished something today. I think that is a great description of the state of Iowa and the people that live here. Iowans are known for being generous, friendly people who work hard for everything that they have. From agricultural roots, the people of this state maintain the work ethic that farmers using hand-held plows instilled in the fields many generations ago.

Cory Walter

How does a new citizen view an iconic photo?

I think the most interesting thing at the Iowa Historical Building was the citizenship ceremony taking place in the main lobby. The people there were celebrating their new right to vote and can now look at the US flag and claim it as their own. I wonder if these new citizens look at iconic American photos, like the one taken at Iwo Jima, and feel the American the egalitarianism, nationalism, and civic republicanism described in the Hariman and Lucaites essay.

Egalitarianism is defined on dictionary.com as asserting, resulting from, or characterized by belief in the equality of all people, esp. in political, economic, or social life. Each man in the Iwo Jima photo is poised to show his job in raising the flag is equally important. Egalitarianism is a core value of the United States, so each new citizen was in a similar position to the men in the photo.

The nationalism exhibited in the Iwo Jima photo, as described by Hariman and Lucaites, is evident through the flag as national symbol signifying the values of our US society. The people who immigrated to the US and are becoming citizens can look upon a photo like Iwo Jima and relate to the pride the soldiers felt raising the flag.

The civic republicanism described in the Hariman and Lucaites essay is a more abstract aspect of the iconic photo. The people at the citizenship ceremony have chosen to become citizens of the US because of the republicanism throughout the country. It is difficult to look at the photo of the soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima and think of the republicanism they may represent, but it can more easily be thought that the new citizens have chosen the US because of the strong republic it is.

The historical society of Iowa was an educational trip more because of the event occurring during our visit than the exhibits. I had never seen a citizenship ceremony before and was surprised how many people were in attendance. I believe it is great that so many people can become citizens no matter how they may look upon an American Iconic photo like Iwo Jima.

-Becky

Kiefer's Untitled

Anselm Kiefer's, Untitled, was one of the pieces I found intriging at the Art Center last week. It was a hard piece to miss, as it covered almost an entire wall, but beyond the size, the elements he chose to use in this piece was what I found most interesting.

At first this piece seems to be a big mess of dark colors and heavy texture, but then I noticed the pointe shoes hanging in the middle. Then I noticed the ladder image and in the background, and there seemed to be multiple train tracks going in different directions, and for me this piece started to become about aspiration. Aspiration itself probably isn't considered an 'emotion,' but I think what comes with aspiration is definately emotional.

In a dancer's mind, the only way you can go is up, meaning you can only get better. You're constantly competeting not only against the other dancers, but more importantly, against yourself. But this mentality goes beyond dance - I think it's how any athlete or even academic feels when they're striving to be the best - something I think the artist understood and knew that almost everyone could relate to. For me this piece forced me to almost reminisce about my own life and different directions I took, ones I could have but didn't, and what else lies ahead, and I think it would force everyone to do the same. Of course everyone's stories are different, which makes it so interesting - every person would bring a different story to the piece.

I think this piece could be used as an example for the "implications" idea discussed by Lucaites and Hariman. This piece is only successful if people can see themselves in the 'image' shown, and if it evokes an aspirational emotion, the "state action" would be people trying to better themselves. It's not a piece that could be easily replicated by any means - especially because I think the physical size and weight are a large part of the impact - but once stood in front of, it definately does have a strong emotional response. As far as Sontag, I think it's interesting that this piece is untitled, or maybe un-labeled. If the artist had named it "aspiration" then the viewer would begin looking at it with that label in mind, instead of coming to it by themselves. Or possibly aspiration wasn't the artists intent at all - and if it had been titled what the intent was, I probably wouldn't had seen aspiration.

-Emma B.

Hopper vs. Sherman

Cindy Sherman "Untitled Film Still #3" 1977

Edward Hopper "Automat" 1927

When we visited the Des Moines Art Center last Friday I was thrilled to see an exhibition on one of my favorite American artists, Edward Hopper. Being a museum person and so-called "art snob", a trip to an art museum is never just a casual visit. I often find myself scrutenizing the design of the museum galleries (why was this painting placed next to this sculpture, etc) and more importantly the exhibitions. But the exhibition "Edward Hopper: Images & Influence", although small, was very relevant and inclusive. When works of art are juxtaposed in an exhibition, more often than not, the relationships will not make sense to the viewer. The curator of this exhibition, however, took works by Hopper that were both familiar and unfamiliar and placed them in a shared space with other artists who also presented common images of American life.

Of these other artists, the photographs by Cindy Sherman, I believe, had the most interesting relationship to Hopper. Both artists depicted women by examining issues of identity and stereotype. For Hopper, the placement of his figures in their environments was key. Using light and shadow to create mood, Hopper depicted emotional themes of solitude, loneliness, regret and boredom within his figures. The painting "Automat" depicts a lone woman staring into her cup of coffee in a restaurant at night. The empty restaurant and no signs of activity on the street outside adds to this sense of loneliness. Similar to Hopper's famous painting "Nighthawks", where figures are sitting at a diner late at night, the scene could be a still from a movie where the characters have been captured just before or just after the climax of a scene.

Similarly, some of Cindy Sherman's photographs are actually black and white film stills. Sherman uses herself as subject matter transforming photography into performance art. She uses make-up, costumes, wigs and the like to take on a variety of roles from archetypal housewife to prostitute. Although she is the actress, Sherman does not consider these images to be self-portraits. Rather each image is "Untitled" with a number which depersonalizes it, making Sherman revealed but yet still hidden. Like the women in Hopper's paintings, she is named by her role but yet nameless and alone.

With art, or any photograph for that matter in this day and age, the viewer should always keep in mind that the image they are viewing may have been created using artistic liberties. I think it was said at the first class when we discussed Sontag that "A picture never lies." The correct phrase should be "Don't believe everything you see." As we know, Hopper used light and shadow to create mood and suspense in his environments. Sherman became a chameleon in her photographs by transforming into different characters using a variety of different disguises. Through my study of art history, I know that the artist almost always has a message or interpretation they want to get across to viewers in thier work and they will use whatever means necessary to achieve it. So the next time you are looking at a work of art, rather than just commenting on the style and stating that anybody can do that or turning up your nose, remember to ask yourself the question "What is the artist trying to say here?" (sorry just a little pet peeve I have...)

By Carolyn Larson