Art & Folklore :
Exploring Connections Between Tradition and Visual Culture
A High School Curriculum by Alison Sunseri
Folklore, “is often hidden in full view, lodged in the various ways we have of discovering and expressing who we are and how we fit into the world” (Hufford, 1991). Art and Folklore: Exploring Connections Between Tradition and Visual Culture is a high school level curriculum that focuses on traditions and knowledge of the past and present as they connect to students lived experience. Though the use of narratives, culture, and history are often seen in the typical classroom, and also the art classroom, this curriculum is based on an interdisciplinary method that examines these concepts in a new manner through folklore narratives, their connection to the visual arts and student’s lives. This curriculum also explores how fine art and popular culture have played an integral role in the development of folklore, and how all continue to influence one another. When students understand how their histories, both cultural and personal, shape their experiences and perspectives, they can make meaningful, critical and complex art.
The curriculum is a semester long high school level art curriculum comprised of three units. The first unit, Interpreting Folklore Narratives Through Visual Culture, begins by looking at the components that structure folklore narratives. First, traditional folktale’s plots are envisioned and made contemporary. Next, the use of the use of moral, and symbol are dissected within the folktale and interpreted into a singular image print. Finally, these component are expressed with the use of allegory in urban myth into multifaceted collages to parallel the complexity of investigations the students are conducting.
The second unit, Investigating Visual Components and Meanings in Folklore, examines more facets of folklore narrative. Students examine the characters that drive these narratives, and through their artwork create connections to themselves. They first conduct character attribute studies through performance art. Then notions of the hero from traditional folklore narrative, and every day heroes are explored with storyboards. Finally, students look at the Hero’s Journey and imbue an object with legendary purpose to take on a video exploration.
The final unit of the curriculum, Creating Visual Contemporary Folklore, draws on research and personal connections more deeply than in the previous units. Students will conduct autobiographical inquiry and independent research on a facet of narrative folklore that relates to a facet of their personality and translate this knowledge into a character and corresponding video narrative. Students have the opportunity to select the content and materials with which they resonate and create a comprehensive work linking the skills and concepts discussed throughout the semester.
The second unit, Investigating Visual Components and Meanings in Folklore, examines more facets of folklore narrative. Students examine the characters that drive these narratives, and through their artwork create connections to themselves. They first conduct character attribute studies through performance art. Then notions of the hero from traditional folklore narrative, and every day heroes are explored with storyboards. Finally, students look at the Hero’s Journey and imbue an object with legendary purpose to take on a video exploration.
The final unit of the curriculum, Creating Visual Contemporary Folklore, draws on research and personal connections more deeply than in the previous units. Students will conduct autobiographical inquiry and independent research on a facet of narrative folklore that relates to a facet of their personality and translate this knowledge into a character and corresponding video narrative. Students have the opportunity to select the content and materials with which they resonate and create a comprehensive work linking the skills and concepts discussed throughout the semester.
© 2016 Alison Sunseri | All Rights Reserved
References
Hufford, Mary. American Folklife: A Commonwealth of Cultures. Washington: American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, 1991. Retrieved on October 11 from https://www.loc.gov/folklife/cwc/.
Hufford, Mary. American Folklife: A Commonwealth of Cultures. Washington: American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, 1991. Retrieved on October 11 from https://www.loc.gov/folklife/cwc/.