LESSON PLAN: Real vs. Virtual: Examining Works of Art Online

[Ryan Goble]

Another great lesson plan from the New York Times Learning Network

February 7, 2011

Real vs. Virtual: Examining Works of Art Online

By DINAH MACK and HOLLY EPSTEIN OJALVO

Overview | How do the experiences of looking at works of fine art in real life, in photo reproductions and in digital forms compare? What can be revealed by perusing an online trove of paintings and other works? In this lesson, students engage in one or more activities using Google’s Art Project to reflect on key issues and questions about art. 

 

Materials | Computers with Internet access and projection equipment; original paintings, reproductions of paintings (art books, posters, etc.) and slides or digital images of paintings; student journals

 

Warm-Up | Post the artworks — both the reproductions and the paintings — around the room before students enter. If possible, include a slide show of artworks on a projection screen. At the start of class, tell students to circulate and look at all of the art displayed in the room.

After a few minutes, ask students what the differences are in experiencing works of art in three different ways: directly viewing actual paintings, looking at photographic representations in books or posters, and viewing virtual reproductions in slide or digital form. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each type of experience? Make a list on the board.

To bring those uninterested in art into the conversation, you might introduce the contrast between listening to recorded music as opposed to being at a live performance.

Then ask: Have you ever visited an art gallery or art museum? If so, what was it like seeing works in that setting? How did it add to or detract from the experience of the art itself? How did being in the space itself affect your experience of the art? Invite volunteers to share their stories.

Finally, ask students if there are any famous museums and works of art they would like to visit. List these on the board. Then tell them that Google launched a new feature called Art Project, an interactive tool that allows viewers to virtually travel through 17 of the world’s most famous art museums, exploring the layout and more than 1,000 pieces of art.

 

Related | In the article “The Work of Art in the Age of Google,” Roberta Smith describes and reviews Google Art Project:

Read the complete lesson plan here.

[Katherine Bolman, PhD]

I know that this is not what you are looking for and please take a few moments to look at

http://www.ahaafoundation.org/AHAA_HOME/1.Introduction_new.html

Click on Meet Katherine to find out about me.

At the age of 70 I went back to school to learn web design and then to the Apple store to learn iPhoto,iWeb and garage band. I did this because I feel the arts need to protected and collected in one educational site on the Internet.

 

I am not famous, I am passionate, and would like help from many different people to make this the best site for history teachers to use to integrate the art that matches the history lesson.

 

Please respond after you have looked at one or more of the micro lessons. The site is being redesigned and the content and images are still in the same place.

 

Congratulations to Google for the project they are doing. As it happens my masters in art thesis required me to take 15 students through Europe studying Art 101 in front of the actual pieces. It was great.

 

Warmly,

Katherine Bolman