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Discussion in front of "The Jazzmen"
by Jacques Mahè de la Villeglè (1961).
Identification of the materials
used in some of the artworks on display.
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Magnificent Materials ran during the spring term with
Charles Dickens Primary School and the summer term with
Friars Primary School. Each project worked with 15 key-stage
2 pupils for ten weeks to explore material processes
and the relationship of modern and contemporary art
with science.
Students took part in Gallery discussions and activities
and made object-based work to develop their responses
to materials and creatively investigate their use in
contemporary art practices. They also used digital technologies
to make animations that show their interpretation of
how materials relate and how their meanings can change
dependent upon the use and manipulation of the material
itself.
Using as a starting point selected artworks from the
Tate Modern Collection, the Magnificent Materials projects
were broadly divided into 3 main areas: The Properties
of Materials, Materials, Memory & Meaning
and the Lifecycles of Materials.
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Making an annotated sketch of
art works on display in the Galleries.
Recreating "For Those Who Have
Ears #2", Richard Deacon (1983).
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The
Properties of Materials
In the first three sessions, pupils were given a brief
introduction to the Gallery and took part in diverse
orientation, looking and discussion exercises to familiarise
themselves with two of Tate Modern's four permanent
collection displays; Landscape/Matter/Environment and
Still Life/Object/Real Life.
In the Galleries, the groups were encouraged to identify
the materials used by artists and to think how the properties
of materials relate to the artworks' form and meaning.
The pupils made sketches of selected artworks and annotated
these with descriptive words relating to the material
used. They elaborated this initial work, by imagining,
drawing and discussing how the work, and its meaning,
would change had different materials been used.
Putting these 'imaginations' to the test, the pupils
also re-created Richard Deacon's laminated wood sculpture,
"For Those Who Have Ears #2" (1983), in alternative
materials such as foam, plastic and paper.
"I liked all the drawing and
making
different sculptures with different materials."
Elizabeth, Friars Primary School |
"If I had hands of metal
..."
"Hands of cotton wool ..."
Making the Material Boxes and
labeling their contents.
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In the studio
the exploration of properties continued by looking at
specific materials and creating a 'vocabulary' for the
ways in which paper can be manipulated and changed.
The pupils were also encouraged to think of materials
in symbolic terms and successfully thought of proverbs
as tag-lines to a series of Bruce Nauman's photographs
on display. This work was reinforced in the studio where
the pupils interpreted and invented proverbs through
wrapping their hands in diverse materials and discussing
the emerging associations.
The pupils also made 'Materials Boxes' which they decorated
and throughout the project used to hold their own personal
collection of materials. As new materials were added
to the boxes they were individually labeled with the
material's properties, its use and any association drawn
from this.
"I
liked the boxes because they were all beautiful."
Georgia, Friars Primary School
'The Properties of Materials' part of the project was
followed by a visit to the Challenge of Materials
Gallery at the Science Museum where discoveries
about properties were reinforced and future themes were
anticipated.
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Making 'A Coat for Joseph Beuys'.
Trying on the Coat made for Joseph
Beuys.
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Materials,
Memory & Meaning
While much of the focus of the project was the overlap
between the worlds of Science and Art - for which materials
is a rich theme - language was another consistent element,
with pupils being given the opportunity to explore different
registers of language, from the poetic to the technical.
Correspondingly, in sessions 5, 6 and 7, the groups
looked more closely at the work of artist Joseph Beuys.
Exercises in the Gallery explored the collection of
Beuys' objects, "Bits and Pieces" (1970s -1986), as
well as his installation "The End of the Twentieth Century"
(1983-5).
Through discussion and practical activities, such as
drawing and labeling of objects and materials, pupils
began to investigate the relationship between materials
and memory with a particular focus on the life story
of Joseph Beuys. They were encouraged to develop narratives
of their own and, together with members of their family,
made 'A Coat for Joseph Beuys' which examined ideas
of safety, warmth and protection.
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Making digital animations on the meanings of materials'.
Still from "The Moving Nails"
animation by Daniel and Yunusa from Charles Dickens
Primary School.
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Digital
Work
Building on themes and discussions taking place in the
gallery the pupils were introduced to the use of digital
photography, image manipulation and animation as means
to creatively think through how the use, manipulation
and interrelation of materials potentially affect their
meanings. Working in pairs or in groups of three, they
created digital animations that illustrate their interpretations
of material properties, symbolism and meanings.
In the first project Charles
Dickens Primary School made animations
from still image photographs about the relationship
between materials use and associations.
In the second project the pupils from Friars
Primary School digitally manipulated images
of materials and typed text to make animations about
how the symbolism and qualities of materials change
when the material itself is manipulated.
"I
liked doing the pictures on the computer
and looking in the galleries and really everything."
Mia, Friars Primary School
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'Process' sculptures by Friars
Primary School.
A single 'process' sculpture by
Charles Dickens Primary School pupils.
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The Lifecycles
of Materials
In the final part of the project, the groups examined
the way materials naturally change and decay.
This included a visit from Rachel Barker from the Tate
Conservation Department. With the pupils, she looked
in detail at the work of Anselm Kiefer - an artist who
uses non-conventional materials that present specific
problems for conservators.
The two groups subsequently made their own 'process'
sculptures from perishable materials and documented
changes through writing and photographs.
"Thank you for teaching us all
about materials and their different
properties and showing us around the gallery."
Joshua, Friars Primary School
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Pupils from Friars Primary School
show visitors around their exhibition.
Pupils discuss their work with
visitors at the Friars Primary School's celebratory
exhibition. |
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Celebratory Exhibitions
Both projects concluded in a celebratory event where
family and friends were invited to view an exhibition
showing the work resulting from the project and curated
by the pupils themselves.
To view some of the work shown in the exhibitions, as
well as additional images from the projects, click here
or on the "Images from the project" button above.
"My appreciation and
view of modern art has been broadened.
I will be more likely to lead my own visits to art
galleries and exhibitions, rather than wait to be
invited."
Vanessa Kwoi, Teacher, Friars Primary School
"The most effective aspect
of the project was its set up.
The ability to use the gallery as a group, to work
with original works,
to mix tasks and ongoing tasks across the weeks.
Ideas were fab!! Computer work was brilliant."
Sarah Nunn and Nicola Condron, Teachers, Charles Dickens
School
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