Cindy Sherman is an artist who transforms herself into hundreds of characters, from clowns to school girls to housewives. She uses props and sets and creates mini-dramas in which she is the star and then photographs herself to document each new persona.
To set the stage for our project, we discussed why
children enjoy playing dress up and who they become when they dress up. We also discussed why Sherman might want to dress up as someone else and considered how photography
can be used to tell a story.
For the project, students selected from a group of garments and supplies (including face paint) to create a new persona. Students then illustrated a background scene for their character/characters on a large sheet of paper. The first seven photos below show the complete the project and provide a catalyst for continued storytelling. The photos following these show the students' process, from character development to creating a background scene/setting. This was an incredible amount of fun! If you ever need a rainy day activity to do with your child/children, this may be a top contender : )
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Leila, Mikel, Emily & Norah: in character, rainy day scene
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For the project, students selected from a group of garments and supplies (including face paint) to create a new persona. Students then illustrated a background scene for their character/characters on a large sheet of paper. The first seven photos below show the complete the project and provide a catalyst for continued storytelling. The photos following these show the students' process, from character development to creating a background scene/setting. This was an incredible amount of fun! If you ever need a rainy day activity to do with your child/children, this may be a top contender : )
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| Leila, Mikel, Emily & Norah: in character, rainy day scene |
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| Leila and Emily: in character, rainy day scene |
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| Dexter: in character, outer space scene |
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Emory: in character, rainy day scene
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Ben, Xavier & Joseph: in character, restaurant theme
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| Xantal developing outdoor scene |
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| Caleb in costume |
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| Andrew developing outdoor scene |
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| Xavier, in costume developing restaurant scene |
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| Dallis, in costume |
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| Joseph, in costume |
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| Laila, Andrew & Xantal in costume |
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| students creating their background scenes |
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| Andrew, Xantal & Cassie creating their background scene |
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Xavier, Ben (behind Xavier) and Joseph creating their background scene
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| Leila, "in character" |
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| Mikel and Emily working on their background scene |
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| Dexter with Ms. Jenkins creating an outer space background scene |
