My students need Legos to explore the artwork of Ai Weiwei and produce large scale portraits in groups. Creating artwork with non-traditional materials is a huge part of contemporary art making that my students should experience.
My students represent a diverse community of learners, both in terms of special needs population and the enormous range of socio-economic backgrounds. Many of my students are first generation Americans who struggle with language but excel in art, the visual language. Many of my students come from home situations that are not ideal, but they want to learn and want to shine despite their pasts. Art is often a place they feel safe to express themselves and are able to excel despite their limitations.
My Project
Artist, Ai Weiwei (sounds like: I Way-way), creates artwork with the most unusual materials - recently using Lego bricks to create portraits of social activists. His artwork is often large-scale and can only be produced by combining the efforts of many individuals.
Art in the 21st century is all about the use of non-traditional materials and creating work with personal or social meaning.
Our lesson will highlight the work of Ai Weiwei and ask the students to choose figures from their own history who have had significant impacts on their lives. By working in groups, the students will explore ideas together and solve build problems in partnership.
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