Guided Tour
Starting with Jennie Savage’s work, after an explanation of contemporary art, the pupils took to the installation well. “I think the window looks like a cinema screen”, said Gwynon. “I feel lost as I don’t know where the noise is coming from”, said Awen. Michael felt that it made him feel that he was looking forward to something. In depth chats about the connection between the sound and the visual arose.
When the pupils saw Richards work, it again brought smiles to the pupils faces. They enjoyed the DVD and loved the fact that some of the dogs had funky clothing on. The pupils sympathised with the amount of background research that went into the artwork and thought that a tribute to Swansea Jack was a very clever idea. Mike thought that Edward was like a member of a male voice choir. This gave the children lots of ideas for multi media pieces, which sound like exciting projects to look forward to when I visit the school.
Looking through Jennie Savage’s window out over Swansea Bay
Artworks
What an exciting two days, using full range of multi-media, audio visual and new media with no end of problem solving and alternative thinking to create our artworks and installation modules as a response to Locws 2008 artworks.
“I thought art was just drawing and painting but I can see you can mix video and sound with painting and making. I’ve learnt a lot about technology.”- Emma
“Plug and play” created by Ross Lewis and James changed dramatically as they embraced situations from their initial idea and let their creativity flow. Taking the experience, of a new way of looking, from Jennie Savages Work, with flashing lights, mini speakers and a mobile phone, they created a model of a mobile night, which anyone could attach their phones to and listen to their favourite music whilst immersed inside the model, “Its mad, hip and now” as Lewis says.
In comparison to this was, “Swansea Jack”, created by Katie and Carly. This was a full size plaster sculpture of a singing dog with hand made clothes including a cape with a ‘superdog’ logo. “It was great fun and the project made us go beyond our limits in art and craft”, said Katie”.
“Its better than normal art. I used to think art was boring but now we’ve done this project I think its really good” – Awen
Kezia, Gwynon, Emma and Erica created a model of a school cinema. They filmed the yard at break time and with their mobile phones and recorded people talking about what the schoolyard meant to them. This was portrayed by a small video screen at one end of their model and headphones for listening to their recordings at the other. It worked very well as you felt like you were in a mini cinema. Kezia said, “It showed us that there was more about art than meets the eye”. “It was a great chance to be really creative,” said Gwynne.
“We’ve really enjoyed creating our collage called “School of barks,” it really stretched our imagination” – Carys and Melissa.
Rhodri, Rhidian and Michael produced ‘Dog Opera’, which entailed a clay dog under a spotlight in a theatrical situation. “It was a tough challenge we had our difficulties but resolved our problems. I wish the project was longer” – Michael.
It was a privilege to see the enthusiasm of the pupils when having to explore their imaginations in the production of their work.
Not only enthusiasm from the Year Nine children but also from their Art teacher Rhian Thomas who wrote:
“Every pupil who undertook the Locws 08 mini project has enjoyed the wealth of experiences. Also the exploration of techniques including New Media (incidentally which is on the new GCSE syllabus for2009) combined with important life skills and problem solving and a new approach to thinking from process to product. Above all as a result all the pupils are taking GCSE art next year. Great for the Art and Design department. Well-done Dave Marchant for inspiring and motivating them! A thoroughly enjoyable “hands on” two and a half day course. Can we have more. Thank you David”
Rhian Thomas. Art and Design Teacher – Ysgol Gyfn Bryntawe.
‘The Dog Opera’
‘Lighthouse In A Window’
Making the ‘School Of Barks’ collage
‘Plug And Play’
‘The School Cinema’ – Click here to watch the film
Making ‘Swansea Jack’ the singing dog
‘Swansea Jack’