COLLECTIVE DISTANCE
This was a collaborative endeavor initiated by the Distance Learning Program of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Participants were Lynda O’Leary, distance learning coordinator, Ben Volta, artist and David Miller, Wissahickon High School art teacher and, most importantly, his art students.
Goals
1. Introduce WHS students to the PMA collection through Distance Learning Technologies.
2. Introduce WHS to visiting artist’s unique methodology relative to collaborative community-based art making.
3. Create online record of distance learning and collaborative process.
First Video Conference (Ben & David selected 3 pieces from the PMA’s collection to focus on prior to the first conference)
INTRODUCTIONS
+ Slide show of Ben’s work and short video of his studio and process.
+ Slide show of student work from WHS and pictures of the school and artroom.
+ Introduction to the project.
Project phase 2
Materials: tracing paper, sharpie markers. multiple digital prints of selected artwork (files were be sent to the class via email)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Draw and trace over the digital prints of the selected artwork within an 8” x 8” square.
2. Be sure to combine elements from both of the selected artworks to create something new.
3. Use only imagery found in the three selected artworks. (draw in your own personal style)
4. Do not let your image touch the corners of the square.
5. Use only black sharpies and vary the line thickness.
6. Each artist should create at least 3 composite drawings.
7. Scan 1 drawing from each participating artist and email artwork to ben@benvolta.com
8. As a group provide at least three specific instructions (but no more than eight) for Ben to follow as he digitally combines the images together to create a collective artwork.
READING: Read Sol Lewit’s “Sentences on Conceptual Art”.
ENCOURAGED RESEARCH: Find articles and or essays on the artist and/or artwork that were selected.
Second Video Conference
+ Begin with a discussion of the historical and critical significance of the artwork that was selected.
+ Discuss the process of drawing, tracing, and creating new artwork using fragments of the selected artworks.
+ Discuss the work of Sol Lewit, the reading, and the process of drafting instructions.
+ Finish with Ben’s presentation of the collective artwork followed by a critical discussion of all work created.
Project Description
INSTRUCTIONS
+ Create an individual artwork using the collective artwork as a starting point. (response to Ben’s artwork)
+ Or, follow the list of the instructions that you provided to Ben and create a collective artwork using the drawings that were scanned after week 1.
+ Provide Ben with a new list of instructions via email.
READING: Selections from Walter Benjamin’s “Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”
Third Video Conference
+ Discuss the Walter Benjamin reading in relation to working from reproductions of artwork in the PMA, and in relation to the working through video conferencing / World Wide Web.
+ Continue with Ben’s presentation of the second collective artwork followed by a critical discussion.
+ Finish with student presentations of their artwork followed by critical discussions.
