Constructing Monuments
Constructing Monuments
Lesson 8
Adding Detail or Keeping it Simple
Detail can add to a monument, but monuments can also be powerful because of their simplicity.
Look closely at the images of monuments in the next two slides.
Alison Saar, Swing Low: Harriet Tubman Memorial
(on cover)
Close Looking: Alison Saar
Alison Saar covered her sculpture of Harriet Tubman with symbolic imagery that helps to tell the story of the Underground Railroad.
Look closely at this artwork. What stands out to you?
How did the artist use details to tell a story?
Alison Saar, Swing Low: Harriet Tubman Memorial, dedicated November 13, 2008, 13’, St. Nicholas Avenue, West 122nd Street, and Eighth Avenue (Frederick Douglass Boulevard) in Harlem; detail image of her skirt
Close Looking: Maya Lin
Maya Lin’s Vietnam Memorial is famous for its simplicity. It is made up of two sloping granite walls covered with the names of those lost in the war.
How is this different �from other monuments you’ve seen?
Why do you think the �artist chose to commemorate Vietnam Veterans in this way?
Left: January 1985, Maya Lin in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, which she designed Right: Close up image of names engraved on the monument
Close Looking: Maya Lin 02
Left: January 1985, Maya Lin in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, which she designed
Right: Close up image of names engraved on the monument
Writing
What do these monuments by Alison Saar and Maya Lin have in common? How are they different?
Both artists began with large forms and added details. �What did each artist choose to add to their larger forms?
How do these details add meaning to their monuments?
Sketchbook
In these sketchbook pages, the artist explored different ways of adding text and color to simple forms.
Think about adding detail to your monument. Is there something you would like to draw or write that would add to your sculpture? Do you want to add an image, word or quote?
Sketchbook 2
This artist has researched symbols and collected images that relate to their monument.
Research and draw symbols, words or colors you might want to add to your monument.
Learn More About the Artists
Remote Arts Learning Partnership
Module Two �
Studio in a School NYC Team
Julie Applebaum, Senior Director
Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project DIrector
Writing Team Project Team
Anne-Marie McIntyre Josef Zutelgte Belinda Blum Nicola Giardina Paul Urevitch
Jamie Powell Andrea Burgay Katherine Huala
Graphic Design
Don Giordano
NYC Department of Education OASP Team
Karen Rosner, Director of Visual Arts
Amber Lodman, Arts Program Manager Kaitlin Trammell, Remote Arts Learning Partnership Project Coordinator
NYC Department of Education Visual Arts Teacher Team
Maria Bonilla Susan Bricker Amie Robinson Lara Tyson
These educational materials were created through a partnership with Studio in a School NYC and The New York City Department of Education Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP) and made possible by the generosity of The New York Community Trust.
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