3rd grade Weaving

We looked at the art from various cultures who weave. Students built a cardboard loom and learned about the warp and weft.  This was a challenging but rewarding fiber art project.

1st grade Faith Ringgold Story Quilts

We read Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold each student made a paper story quilt using a pattern for their borders.  They drew a picture of themselves flying over people important to their lives or places they dream of going to or enjoy.

Independent ESD research time in Tokyo

I have been trying to explore as much of Toyko as I can during my free time.  Below are some photos from various art galleries, museums and interesting scenes from just walking around the streets.

Ginza Graphic Gallery really cool projected videos. Lots of art playing with light, movement and shadow.

I am in front of the Mori Art Museum  in Robppongi Hills under Louise Bourgeois' Spider sculpture.
The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother.
— Louise Bourgeois

Shibuya  crossing rumored to be the world's busiest, this intersection  in front of the Shibuya station is famously knows as 'The Scramble'. People come from all directions at once, sometimes over a 1,000 with every light change, yet manage to dodge each other with practiced nonchalant agility.

I must have walked by Hachiko Statue a few times as I was expecting it to be very large.

I searched all over Shibuya to find the Hachiko Statue erected at teh station plaza to celebrate the memory of  an Akita dog, who belonged to a professor who lived near Shibuya Station. The professor died in 1925 but the dog continued to show up and wait at the station for his master until his own death 10 years later.

Rarely does a neighborhood influence a fashion movement as distinctly, yet diversely, as does the Harajuku district of Tokyo. Often all mixed together, the elements of Harajuku style include manga-inspired baby-doll dresses and pigtails, goth makeup and platform shoes, and kimonos.

Having dinner in Ueno

Shiseido Gallery I saw an exhibition by Hong Kong-born artist Lee Kit, currently based in Taipei. Titled "The voice behind me"Lee’s keywords for this exhibition include concepts like “fear,” “solitude” and “breathing.” In the background, many of these reflect frustration with political and social inequalities, the stresses that accompany daily life, and inescapable solitude. Lee himself has felt such feelings during his sojourns in many different cities—Hong Kong, Taipei, London, Tokyo, among others—and while such feelings may often be construed as negatives, Lee remarks that “being pessimistic is optimistic.” This sort of flexible attitude is essential if one is to resist being beaten down by current conditions and to move forward with living.

I went to the Mori Art Museum which also includes the Tokyo City View an observatory on the 52nd floor and has some of  the best views in Tokyo.  The current exhibition at Mori Art Museum is a "Star Wars Vision", including art work of approximately 60 points of the world first public exhibition that artist whom Mr. George Lucas chose from all over the world produced, it is display with concept art and apparel, approximately 100 points including small tools that were really used by movie production of series 6 work. We introduce charm of Star Wars on theme called "vision".

Below are some random photos I took while exploring Tokyo today.  I really paid attention to the various  lines, shapes and patterns I discovered all around me. 

Kindergarten Symmetrical House Paintings

Kindergarten is studying Africa in the regular classroom.  During art we read the book My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken, and Me, by Maya Angelou.  It is  photographic book about a young girl from South Africa and the life and customs of the Ndebele people.

For this project student designed their house using a symmetrical design.  They used various  shapes and lines and color to complete their artwork.

4th grade printing

Fourth graders started printing today.  We used foam board to create relief prints. The focus is on line, shape and pattern.

Ms. Jessica's example