Field trip to the MOCA

Last week my class went on a field trip to the Geffen Contemporary , located on Central Ave. in Downtown Los Angeles. It was such a powerful experience for all of my students! They learned that they could make art just by arranging everyday objects in a particular way. They were beyond excited to discuss of their observations, feelings and interpretations. At the end of the tour our educator asked the students to draw something that they themselves would like to see in the museum. Later when we came back to class I had them finish, and they had some absolutely amazing conceptions.

Brandon's art concept is very groundbreaking for a first grader. He was able to imagine an entire space or environment rather than just an object. In his installation he has sculptures and music. One sculpture is of "a guy how lossed (lost) his body." There is something in the corner that looks a little like a tree and you can see a body in the right hand corner that looks like it is jetting away? He even conceived of the music which he is adamant that it is "not scary. It's just amazing how he really designed an entire space! He also has a ramp here and there are some kinetics as indicated by his motion streaks.

Jordan wants to see this interesting room with a painting. His partner wanted to see a rainbow tunnel. I am just so impressed by their explorations into a third dimension. The students were all inspired by The Blue Room and The Chocolate Room at the MOCA Grand. Some of us also saw other painting in a black room the the Geffen Contemporary. It's a very titillating device that the students want to utilize in their own art.

Johanna wants to see "The robot that can do anything." It makes me think of something from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe". What else could a rainbow colored robot be? I wonder how it works? Her partner drew a "pencil machine." I think these in particular demonstrate the sense wonder and magic that seeing the art at the MOCA inspires. THIS is how innovation begins!

Adrian's was very popular with the class. Adrian imagined having a car suspended over another car. His father is a mechanic so it seems he would like to translate something from his real world into the art world. The class had a great discussion about how a regular car could become art if presented in another place or in another way. He then started elaborating on this piece by saying that he would have it the car filled with different objects (e.g balls, school lunches, or teddy bears) each day.



What excites me the most about this is how the students are losing their preconceived notions about art and artists. Brandon, for example is a boy with very "un-fine" fine motor skills. He generally does not consider himself to be very "good" at art, but broadening the definition of art and expanding beyond just drawing or painting, he is beginning to see himself as creator and an artist.

Now I just wish that we could actualize all of this. I am feeling very motivated to have my students create an art exhibit based on their concepts. Maybe I could use one of our labs and we could invite parents and students in? I getting ideas!!! Even of the could create a 3-d Model that would be a start.