Families attending Tuesday’s Monster Art Show listened to our talent student musicians as they visited exhibits which were created under the leadership of Robin and Helena:
Monster
“Monster” is a program-wide (K-5th grade), community-based art project conceived and led by Robin, and co-lead by Monica and Imge, with special assistance by Brandon. Students employed American fiber artist Judith Scott’s (1943-2005) mindfulness centered rhythmic weaving technique to create a large-scale sculpture. There was diverse optional involvement in the project as some students made pom-poms and finger-knitted, while others wrapped CDs and pool noodles, or designed graphic signs. Children reflected on the broad cultural history of monsters including the sea monster Kraken, Griffin, and Godzilla to reflect upon the collective conscious concept of the “other.”
Famous for creating womb-like, or mummy-esque sculptures from found objects, and yarn, Judith Scott’s art has been exhibited internationally at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art, Collection de l’Art Brut in Switzerland, and the 57th Venice Biennale. Scott’s remarkably complex art is informed by her isolated early life as a woman born deaf and with Down syndrome. After finding creative and developmental support at Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, Scott found her unique artistic voice and became a shining role model for all.
Visitors to the exhibit were given monster style Pringles and participated in a vote to name the monster. Katie won by a landslide, from a list that included: Harry, Bruce, Kwame, Waffles, Monstie, John, Blacky, and Julie. After the exhibition, the sculpture will be displayed in Newton Centre through a partnership with a local meditation center, the Boston Center for Contemplative Practice. –Robin
Forced Perspective Photography
Photographs were taken by our 4th & 5th grade Photography Club during our field trip to Echo Bridge. Students used a technique called “forced perspective” to make an object appear closer, farther, larger, or smaller than it actually is –Helena