Kehinde Wiley Research Project

Overview: 
Artists will research American painter, Kehinde Wiley. He is an exciting artist who is taking classical masterpieces and updating them to reflect urban black youth. He's an exciting new artist because he is (1) still alive - this is very important to my students. They get tired of doing what some call "dead guy art." and (2) he is showing an often overlooked population and showcasing them in  positions of power and contrasting tough urban black youth culture with formal iconography found in classical art. 

Using the Padlet app on the iPad, students will watch movies, read articles, and look at Wiley's artwork. They will learn about the artist, the classical works of art that the artist references, and the updated versions that Wiley creates. 

Objective: 

• Students will be able to identify Kehinde Wiley's works of art. 

• Students will analyze Wiley's art by comparing and contrasting his updated works of art with the classical images he references in his paintings. 

• Students will be analyze their own culture, heritage, and environment. 

• Students will create a work of art that updates a classical work of art but incorporates his or her own culture, heritage, and/or environment.

Copyright: 
In art, copyright is discussed from early elementary and on. It's important for students to understand that artwork is property that belongs to the artist and cannot be stolen. In order to complete this project, students will learn about copyright, appropriation, and inspiration.

Application: 
The idea of editing was my main takeaway from the week 1 readings. They showcased that there are effective ways to present information and it's important to edit your materials to make sure they are effectively reaching learners at all levels. This concept of editing also applies to the idea of copyright -- especially in the context of this lesson where students are taking a work of existing art and updating it with their own personal culture, heritage, and environment. There is a fine line between copying another's artwork and using it as inspiration to create something new and meaningful. 

The padlet technology is great. It's so easy to use and I appreciate the thumbnail pictures. The format reminds me a bit of pinterest, which could help students navigate easier if they have a pinterest account. I liked the "wall" layout because it was neat and organized, however I could see how the other layouts could be effective based on their intended audience and/or multiple authors. The layout ties back into the idea of editing and ensuring that your presentation is functional, effective, and easy to use for your intended end user. 

Reflection: 
Having never seen nor used padlet, I wonder how many other great little technology apps there are that would make sharing research materials, lesson plan materials, reference pictures, etc. easier for my students. I also grew putting this project together. Kehinde Wiley isn't an artist I know a lot about. Last week I took my fourth graders to the DIA on a field trip and they were asking compelling questions about the painting. I didn't have the answers but also found the painting to be exciting -- it was beautiful, tacky, interesting, and left me with my own set of questions. By him as the topic of my padlet research, I have learned so much about the artist and can't wait to implement a new lesson using his work as inspiration.