Haitian Inspired Found Object Art

Post Contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director

This week's "Found Object" theme was selected by Ms. Blakely, who was inspired by a number of Haitian Artists she had researched at college. Following the January 12, 2010 Haitian earthquake, a group of artists sought to highlight Haitian creativity and resourcefulness and to challenge Haiti's reputation for disorder and poverty.

Haitian Found Object Art

The artists used found objects such as old shoes, bed springs, marbles, nails and scrap metal to create tall sculptural figures and towers.  Ms. Blakely was particularly moved by the the monumental feel conveyed by these towering sculptures and encouraged students to use their resourcefulness and creativity to create towers of their own.

Sonia and Ms. Blakely

For materials, students used a number of found objects selected from home, in addition to an assortment of items we have been collecting in Beye Discovery, including tape dispensers, spent glue sticks and markers, and containers of many shapes and sizes.

Joel: using balance to build upward

The photos say it all: the children were engaged all the way up to parent pick-up. If a tower fell down, another went up in it's place. We love how they had the courage to experiment along the way! Many of the children also gave careful consideration to design as they built : ) 

Joey

Leila

Ashley

Jenna and Anika

Valen

Phillip and Valen

Chan and Yeoeun

Ashley

Chan

Leila: Crash!

Timmy (center) and Valen

Timmy

Joel

Chan

Sonia

Leila

Ella

Jenna

Timmy

Timmy

Shlok

Joey

Ashley

Ashley

Phillip

Sonia

Sonia

Sonia

Yeoeun

Anika

Chan

Chan: Finished!

We had such a super fun afternoon : ) Thank you to our students for their enthusiasm and the resulting towering sculptures: with a very playful approach, they did outstanding work!!!