Beautifying Spaces and Public Art

Inspired by the discussions and ideas about what Beye's new playground and proposed outdoor learning space could be, our focus turned to public spaces and the ways artists may contribute to make such spaces special. We started by examining the blacktop and asked the students to offer suggestions to make this space more inviting. Responses included: 

1. a continuing supply of chalk and outdoor paint so that students could beautify and change the look of the space daily

2. go-cart rides and races

3. convert to a nature space, adding native plants and trees to attract insects and animals

We really like the way Beye students look at things! 

To provide further inspiration, we asked the students to examine the 2 sculptures facilitated by local artist Margo McMahon with Beye Students, along the west side of the school. "Hope" reminded students of a variety of things, however one student noted that it really resembled a baby bird with it's beak opened skyward. What captured the students' attention about "Wonder" were the words and mosaic pieces embedded in its form.

So for our project, we gave students mosaic tile stickers and colorful paper to design imagery or patterns that could be used to transform a space such as our blacktop into a more inviting, uplifting and exciting space. A number of our Tuesday students are still working on these, so we will need to provide an update later. Below are a few of the mosaics in progress:

Joseph

Leila

Daysha

Porter and Hayden's mosaics

Norah's completed mosaic!

On Wednesday, we discussed how to draw attention to a place, event or season with the use of printed fabric banners. Banners can be informative and add beauty to a public space. Students viewed examples of banners made for a zoo; to celebrate the fall season; and another to celebrate spring. They noted that the imagery was colorful, bold and simple. This is important because it makes them easy to see and read from a distance. We then discussed fabric banner designs we could make for our school and playground area. Students decided on imagery from nature: butterflies, flowers, bees, trees, sun, clouds and even a lion and his trainer!

To create their fabric banners, students did the following*:

1. sketched their images on paper

2. cut out these images to create a pattern

3. used the pattern to cut their images out of sheet foam

4. glued the foam image to the cardboard to create the relief on the "printing block" (the block was either a piece of cardboard or a large plastic lid, with a tape handle on the back)

5. rolled "ink" (tempera paint in this case) onto the foam relief printing block

6. pressed the printing block on fabric one or more times to transfer the imagery to the fabric

*This printing process was first introduced to students in early December, when they created a single image to print on fabric. Here, students were challenged to create multiple blocks to work together to create their fabric banners. Also (and we find this very exciting), a couple students created two separate blocks to work one on top of the other, producing a single image with multiple colors: Jessica's butterfly is one example, where the butterfly was cut as one block (printed in purple) with the spots on the wings cut as a separate block (printed in pink). Elizabeth did this as well with her hearts and bees. The results are super colorful, fun, uplifting and very appropriate for the perimeter of a school!

Suzanne's clouds

Liam's tree, clouds and sun

Daysha's flowers, bees and hearts

Elizabeth's hearts and bees

Aidan's lion and lion tamer

Jessica's butterflies

Collaboration: Jocelyne's cartwheeling figure, printed by Govanni, with "Es"

On Thursday, Sarah asked students to collaborate to create a public space in the northwest corner of Mrs. Childress' classroom, where we were relocated for the day (a HUGE thank you to Mrs. Childress for the generous use of her room!!!). Sarah provided a variety of examples to spark the children's imaginations, including that of "Rhinestone Roy" who decorated every possible surface with rhinestones.

Students worked with large sheets of butcher paper to transform the corner in any way their creativity led them. A jute cord taped to the cabinet and walls formed the skeletal structure on which the students would build. Sarah's examples included a paper disk with torn paper pieces radiating outward (to make a connection to the mosaics introduced earlier in the week), long sheets of paper cut into fringes that were reminiscent of jelly fish, and paper chains that Sarah observed a couple students making the day before during free time. Once the students' imaginations were sparked, the results were very impressive. The public space included:

-masks that allowed visitors to peer into the space

-a life size paper figure filled with rhythmic and energized lines

-a huge heart filled with colorful mosaic pieces

-hanging paper strips of varying dimensions

-paper chains with long and short loops to create added visual interest

The best part was when the students inhabited the space, to feel its sense of enclosure, yet still open enough to know where others were. The draped paper chains framed specific views and obstructed other views. And the light coming through the windows heightened the experience even more. Jocelyne borrowed  Sarah's camera that day, so hopefully we will receive the pictures to share with you soon! 

For now, I included photos of the cardinal we saw through Mr. Manus' window while we were sharing our playground designs on Friday. The children rushed to the window for a better look and instead of flying away, the cardinal seemed to glory in our attention!

As mentioned above, we delved into playground design on Friday. We asked the students to think about what they liked best and least about Beye's playground and interestingly, the raised "gazebo" was a favorite feature! Apparently, our students like to climb under the gazebo as much as playing on it! A few students mentioned the vertical tire tunnel suspended by chains that could be climbed up and through: they miss this feature and wish it hadn't been taken away. Swings and slides are popular too. The glider was the least enjoyed feature, since many students are not tall enough to use it on their own.

We also asked some students to talk about favorite playgrounds they had visited. One student mentioned a playground/park with a climbing wall.  Of course, a number of students were on board with that idea (we were too)! Before the students began their own designs, we encouraged them to also think about other items that make a playground fun and beautiful to run, jump, climb and play in, such as landscaping (including pathways and ground surfaces), seating and art.

To begin, we filled the classroom with items that provided inspiration and a starting point: tables of plastic forms re-purposed from packaging, caps & lids, net bags, Model Magic, colorful plastic coated wire, "Bendaroos", beads and sequins, coffee stirrers, sheets of foam, mosaic paper tiles, Woodsies, dried out markers, empty paint containers and cereal boxes. We demonstrated how to use some of these items as objects for the playground or how these objects may serve as a base, to cover with Model Magic, Bendaroos, etc.  

We love how our students are "out of the box" thinkers. Playground designs were inspired by a recent ski trip and snakes (from poisonous to friendly), skateboard parks, gardens, climbing walls and football fields. These were imaginative, complex, decorative and inspirational. Congratulations to all of you for your dedication and hard work!

Elizabeth creating stepping stones

Ben's ski lift inspired seating

Elizabeth's textured stepping stone (she pressed netting into the dough to create the effect!)

More stepping stones with netting to create textures

Vaughan wrapping a bottle with Model Magic to create a climbing wall

Max, Emerson and Ben with ski lift inspired playground

Cyrus' basketball hoop

Jessica, planning out her playground

Leila, Jessica's partner, working on her forms

Jessica and Leila's in progress design

The lift and snakes (see below)!!!

a garlic press to produce a variety of snakes from very friendly to poisonous and deadly

removal of the snakes from the press

Voila!

addition of ropes to the climbing wall

Elizabeth creating a border

Ben and Emerson at work

Max sketching out his ideas

Norah with skateboard playground theme

Cyrus with public sculpture and playground items

Cyrus' sculpture

Vaughan and Sam's climbing wall with figure!

Sam and Vaughan

Emily at work!

Leila adding finishing touches

Below are the completed playground designs, bird's eye view:

Leila and Jessica

Cyrus

Ben, Max and Emerson

Elizabeth

Norah

Here, the students are presenting their designs to the class: 

Liam and Joel's design with Emerson, Sam and Ben looking on

Elizabeth's design with Liam, Nina & Jessica looking on

Close up view, with snail in center

Jessica and Leila presenting their design

Close up view

Emerson and Ben presenting their design with Leila and Liam looking on

Norah presenting her design with Joel looking on

Sam presenting with Ben and Emerson looking on

P.S. Our Monday students are nearing the completion of their Hot Air Balloons. Baskets and supports will be added next week. Look for our update, these are gorgeous! Lily's completed example below gives you a good preview. Photos courtesy of Lourdes and Nina (forgot my camera!!! Ughhh!). Thank you ladies for saving the day!