September 08, 2010

Let the Chihuly"ing" Begin!!!!!!

As you may have seen on my blog...our district is having a Chihuly "push" this fall because we are blessed to have not one...but TWO amazing Chihuly installations in the Metro Nashville area. 

I have the blog I created for the elementary art teachers of Nashville to the left as a resource.  Take some time and look through...you may find some things you'd like to try with your students. 


 Last week I started with a Chihuly inspired painting with my 4th graders(go a couple posts back) This week I'm jumping into the instillation pieces.  Each student in 3rd & 4th grade will be creating part of the instillation.  I'm going to create 2 chandeliers & 1 tower from what my students are making( I think?).  This is the first time I've done a unit like this...so this is a work in progress....stay tuned!  When we're done they'll be displayed at the entrance of the school in our atrium.  I've been amazed at how much the students are enjoying the project...as well as learning about Dale Chihuly and seeing pictures and videos of his work.  I'm going to be sharing the process with them as I'm creating the chandeliers & tower.  I want to hear what they think & see if they have any suggestions.  We had discussed how Chihuly doesn't actually create the individual pieces any more...but directs the artists that are creating the pieces. 
They thought that was really interesting. 


Here they are drying in a empty room beside mine(that really came in handy!!).

11 comments:

  1. Interesting...I'm anxious to see the final product.

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  2. Wow! these look really cool--- how did you make them? did he students start with a bottle and build them out with papier mache? I am looking for some chihuly ideas to share at the NJ art educators conference in October, and would love some details! Thanks!

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  3. I'm very excited to see the end product!!!

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  4. Looks like a very wonderful project! I'm glad you wrote a post to show how you've started. I love the Chihuly piece in the Milwaukee Art Museum and hope to see the one in Las Vegas sometime.

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  5. Enjoying the process - can't wait to see the finished 'piece'. :)

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  6. Oooo...I have been collecting plastic bottles for some time and I am also planning on doing some kind of Chihuly project. I can't wait to see the final projects!!! I'm going to wait to see yours until I start mine!!! :)

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  7. Love this idea. Its always exciting to incorporate public art with the classroom curriculum. I look forward to the updates.

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  8. yes, very cool! Will you please explain the process of pieces your students made?

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  9. thanks so much for posting all about this process. Ever since I saw your first post about Chihuly, I knew I had to try this!!

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  10. Ted, the final product is amazing! You have all the first graders talking about Chihuly! It is wonderful that you have inspired our whole school to get out and see the real thing! Marcy

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  11. Wow this looks fantastic! I have done smaller scale Chihuly sculptures with hot water and cut up plastic bottles in the past, but this is SO much cooler. Did you use saran wrap around the bottles. I'd be interested in more details.

    Thanks!

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