2022-2023: Green Room, Pre-Kindergarten
/Over the course of the school year, the pre-K class embarked on a study of sculpture and identity that began with their interest in creating using their full bodies, free movement in space, and sculpture at a large scale. The seeds of the investigation were planted when the class’s fascination with tape as an art material, transforming their art atelier into a giant “web.” We noticed their desire to build large and tall, and gave them free movement to incorporate walls and furniture. As the tape sculpture evolved to include string and other materials, kids brainstormed how to move it to get their art space back.
This question led to an exploration of simple mechanics, as the class experimented with pulley systems to lift the sculpture. Their interest in found and recycled materials, color, and large-scale art led us to explore art related to their own project made by sculpture artists of diverse backgrounds, and opportunities to help children acknowledge and appreciate different perspectives. Especially critical were the sculptures of contemporary artist/designer/dancer Nick Cave, whose show “Forothermore” prompted a visit to the Guggenheim to see his work, and to explore in context some of the themes of identity and bias related to race, gender, and class. Inspired by Cave’s use of materials and scale and their own desire to return their sculpture to something they could work and play around, below, and inside of, as in its first iterations, the class ended up creating a house-like mixed-media sculpture nearly six feet high. The project allowed them to work collaboratively and in community, strengthening their problem-solving and decision-making as well as helping them to work on their communication and bonds with one another. The project culminated with a community viewing of the sculpture, a gathering showcasing the children’s work through documentation - photographs, video, and written reflections.
Kenzie, Green Room Teacher ‘22-23
