Arts Explored # 2- Instant Sculpture

“Stay hungry and eat heartily!”
- Laura Schein

On the first day of interpersonal communications class our professor Laura Schein said this quote in regards to learning.  The meaning behind it is regarding a hunger for knowledge.  Those of us who want to learn are hungry to gain more knowledge, and therefore we should “eat heartily” by putting our full attention into gaining this knowledge.  I felt this quote was strong, and really spoke to me, hence it is the inspiration for my 3D instant sculpture.

My sculpture is a composition of textbooks and fruit.  I strongly feel that a combination of the textbooks and fruit embody this quote.  Knowledge (which in the case of this sculpture is in the form of books) is to the brain what food is to ones stomach.  Knowledge fuels our brain, and provides us with the ability to keep going.  Most of us attending post secondary are in some form or another hungry for more knowledge, we obtained what is more or less mandatory, but took it upon ourselves to strive to learn more.  I strongly feel that in the case of myself I am hungry, hungry to continue learning, and at most times try and eat heartily.  In the case of certain subjects that are very interesting for myself my learning does not end when the class is done, I continue to try and get my hands on as much knowledge as possible on the subject.


*Keep in mind these are pictures taken with a Blackberry so the quality is not too great!


Future Implications
In the case of future implications, this quote is important.  As a future educator I strongly believe my interest in learning is very important.  This is also a characteristic I would like to pass on to future students.  I remember the days when school was fun, I learned something new every day, and at the dinner table felt the need to share with my family all the interesting things I learned.  As I got older this love for learning faded, and school became almost a jail sentence.  It was not until late in high school when I had the opportunity to pick and choose my courses that interested me did I become hungry for more knowledge.

Design:
The definition of design according to Schirrmacher and Fox is “The overall mark of success or the standard of achievement in artistic creation” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 364).
            
I feel as though my sculpture captures the concept of design because I had a plan in my head, i was to incorporate textbooks and fruit in a way that showed a balance between the two, without one element over powering the other.  I feel as though this sculpture is an example of my success of combining the two elements.

References
Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for
       young children (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar.





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Arts Explored # 1- Creativity

Creativity according to Schirrmaacher and Fox is defined as “the ability to see things in new ways or combine unrelated things into something new” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 364).

I define creativity as stepping outside of the box.  When I think of a creative person I imagine them as unique, inquisitive, and someone who challenges rules.

Creativity is having the ability to take what’s given to you be it a problem or need of expression and fulfilling a change to a personal preference. This can be done in the form of expression through dance, music, art, or simply coming up with a unique solution to a problem.

Previous to reading the article Every Day Creativity my definition of creativity was very different.  I would consider people who can paint a pretty picture creative, and people such as myself who have zero artistic talent not creative.  After reading the article my definition of creativity has drastically changed and yes in fact I would consider myself creative.



My roommate Sarah (who I would in fact consider to be a very creative person, her median being writing) inspired the name of this blog.  While sitting in her room discussing various issues with other roommates she stated Its creativity, not rocket science.  This spoke to me in great volumes because to her creativity is a very simple concept when compared to rocket science.  This got me thinking, and for some people this may be true, but for others creativity may something they struggle with.  For some, science and math comes easy, yet they have difficulties expressing themselves.  Because creativity can be found in so many different forms an individual who is very science and math intelligent could show their creativity by creating a unique solution to a problem figured out through the use of science and math.  Therefore, rocket science could be creative, yet because the statement got me thinking so hard the name sticks.

How is Lauren Creative?
Growing up I was always the child who would never take no for an answer.  When a question was asked, and my mother said no I would always retort back ”but why?”.  Explaining concepts was always difficult as well.  If I asked my mother why the sky was blue a simple explanation was never sufficient, at times my mother would in fact have to take me to the library (you know back before you could simply google everything) and try and help me do research to find out an answer.  Shows like The Magic School Bus peaked my interest because they were constantly reaching out of the box and explaining things.

From the time I could walk I was always a little dancer.  Any time my father would watch Star Trek as soon as I heard the opening song I would run into the living room and dance my little bum off.  At an early age my mother enrolled me in dance classes.  I had done everything from ballet, jazz, hiphop, modern and tap.  Although I haven’t taken dance lessons for a few years now due to an injury I am always down to go out with my girlfriends for a night of dancing.




Current Creative Inspiration

       Around the time I was injured and was taking time off dance (which I decided not to return to) the show So You Think You Can Dance was starting a new season.  This show took my breath away, and since the second season I have been unable to get back into watching it because the dancers in season two were just so amazing.

This was my favourite dance from the season, and every time I watch it it makes me regret not returning to dance.


Every Tuesday night at 8pm my homework lays forgotten on my desk for an hour, because this is my Glee time.  Glee a musical show highlighting a glee club in a high school’s pursuits in life is currently one of my indulgences during the week.  Although the plot may not be stellar the dancing and singing is captivating.  As a matter of fact while blogging right now I have a Glee sound track playing in the background to keep me motivated to keep going.

Glee has featured artist songs such as Brittney Spears, Madonna and Lady Gaga, all of which were at one point or another idolized for their trend setting in dance, music and fashion.  Some might go as far as to refer to them as creative.  My favourite Glee episode is one in which they redid a bunch of Rocky Horror Picture Show songs.  The movie in itself is a rather unique and creative movie, but Glee went as far as to add their own little touch to their songs.  Glee in my eyes is therefore a creative show because it showcases the works of creative people, while at the same time adding their own spin.

Future Implications
Creativity is clearly an important element to be looked at, and it needs to be seen in the way my new perspective sees it.  Anyone can be creative; you don’t have to be able to paint a pretty picture to be considered creative. 

As stated in the textbook “Children flourish in a psychologically safe setting that respects, trusts and empowers them to act autonomously without the fear of criticism, rejection, failure or pressure to conform (Schirrmacher et al. , 2009, p. 13)”.


As a future educator I want to set up an environment where children don't fear letting go and expressing themselves, because that is how their real creativity will come through.


References
Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for 
       young children (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar.


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