Rethinking Dead Time | educator-artist

Art 1: Rethinking Dead Time

Students will begin this unit by participating in a class Road Sign Quiz; they will view a series of road sign images and try to identify their meanings. After the quiz, the students will view and discuss an image presentation on the Situationist International, as well as contemporary street artists such as Banksy, Mark Jenkins, Space Invader, and Swoon. Looking at a variety of historical and contemporary artists, the students will gain a greater understanding of the meaning and use of subversive art—the creative practice of altering preexisting artworks, in order to invert or alter the original meaning of the piece. Following the presentation, the students will have the chance to practice their subversion skills through the deconstruction of a series of printed sign images. They will be given yellow and black paper, as well as scissors and glue to make new meaning out of the mini signs. To finish off the unit, the students will design and construct unique street signs that allow them to direct the public to act against the mundane patterns of everyday life. With careful consideration of their sign shape, color, and design of symbol, their final subverted street signs will cause viewers to Stop, Look, and Live Without Dead Time.