Project Aesop

How to create sculptural masks for a play using Aesop's Fables as the theme? “Why do different cultures use masks, how do they relate to the culture they are in and to self?”

How can we utilize various media and images to convey messages of morality and ethics. Students will learn: How to Create sculpture in various media: Clay, Papier-mâché, drafting and sketching, art history, video to express ideas. Students will critique and evaluate their work and the work of their piers throughout the project.

African Mask, Students can do sketches that will enable them to study the shapes and forms. These can be used as drafts for further work. (7)

Take a look at different cultures and how they construct masks that are used in ritual, drama, and decoration. African mask could be an avenue of inspiration. Students could choose a culture to research and to Build their prototypes from(4). Other Cultures and periods could include :The Renaissance, Surrealism, Asian, Greek. Students will create and present a power point,(5) this will provide opportunity for critique and revision.

Renaissance Mask

Surrealism and animals: a short research papers can accompany images that are sketched or created in Photoshop.(5) Students would be encouraged to combine s and various animals.

Indonesian Mask

Alternative to Papier-mâché , Using planer material. Greek

Students would learn various 3D skills : Clay, Papier-mâché, Cut paper. These would be used to Create models, display prototype, and the masks that would be photographed for posters for the play. Students would be part of the process of

deciding the best materials and in the decisions of the final exhibition, perhaps in the library? Other Exhibition possibilities could include off campus

sight, or even outside at the outdoor classroom in conjunction with Drama giving a performance in

the ampatheater, using the masks, very Greek! Let students problem solve these issues.

Music Video: Tom Petty, Alice in Wonderland

Use Video to present performance art in a “Music Video”

Students could take various aspects of video production and compose a video that looked at

Aesop's Fables and how art is used to communicate ideas and morality. Check out Moby or Tom Petty, Collaboration with Music and Drama would be important aspects of the project.(2) Also possibilities of collaboration

with Language teachers exploring other cultures: French, Spanish, Chinese. Take

advantage of Kiski’s international diversity, use their own culture as inspiration.

Moby! Let students choose hip and current musicians to use as inspiration to get at the content of the fables. Let the students write and reflect on their feelings and thoughts regarding Aesop's Fables. (8)

Hyper Realism: suggest periods of art that would let the students learn art history at the same time gaining inspiration for their project.

Photo shop of stills of masks in various settings. Sketches of the masks, mockups, and design work could be intermediate deliverables.

This project would be great for my Studio Art class and would coincide with Mr.K’s Drama class in the winter quarter, with final exhibition and play at the end of the term. Other deliverables could be a simple bibliography, of sighting of source material.(6)