Marilyn Monroe "Hockneyfied"
Submitted by: Stephen Watson, at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Lesson Plan: "The Marilyn Problem"
for ART 210: Drawing II
Description
After watching the film "Waiting for Hockney
Objectives:
Learn that art that takes longer to make isn't necessarily good art.
Question the value of super-realism and photorealism as an art form.
Create a work of art that demands the viewer think while admiring.
Execution:
Required Tools and Materials:
All materials are at your discretion. You may choose a painting, drawing, or sculpture if you wish.
Process Guidelines:
Watch "Waiting for Hockney
This film contradicts what most students learn about art through high school. Photo-realism is a very popular style in the Scholastic Art competitions that most artistically talented students enter. David Hockney shatters this style in the film. Questions to ponder during and after the movie:
Summarize the events of the film.
What was the intent of Billy Pappas in contacting Hockney about his work?
Did the filmmaker want to persuade us or entertain us?
What did Pappas assume would be the goal of contacting Hockney?
Does the film change the way you think about photorealism and modern art?
Student Work by Alex, ART 210: Drawing II
After viewing the film on David Hockney and Billy Pappas, create a work of art about or of Marilyn Monroe using what you learned in the film. This will help you overcome the the point of the film mentally. The work of art should show your level of understanding of the movie.
Drawing Guidelines:
Avoid the mistakes of Billy Pappas.
When creating your art, the design and technique should come from your heart rather than determined by the acceptance of your art in the community.
Do not make art that you've seen elsewhere.
You can find many images of Marilyn online in an image search. There will be both photographs and art using Marilyn as the subject. Your work must be unique and and not resemble any images you find online. It will be difficult to create something that hasn't been done because she has been a favorite subject of many artists.
Above: The huge Marilyn Monroe sculpture in Chicago called Forever Marilyn by Seward Johnson.
Create something that makes viewers think. They should ask what the message is of the sculpture, painting, or drawing. Create some ambiguity so that the message isn't apparent. With photorealism, the viewer doesn't think about the message. They simply determine the likeness of the art to the real thing.
Your work must be original and creative. If you do not know anything about Marilyn Monroe, do not pretend that you do. If you do not like Marilyn Monroe, you may have your art reflect that. Choose your tools and materials only after you settle on an idea. The materials and process you use will be important. Make them related to your idea as closely as possible.
Student work by Katie, ART 210: Drawing II
EVALUATION:
Your art will be graded on craftsmanship, conceptual strength, evidence of an underlying message, and your openness to critique.
QUESTIONS:
What did you learn about Marilyn Monroe from your project?
What did you learn while creating your art?
What is "The Marilyn Problem?"
How does your art relate to the message of the movie you viewed?
