Goal
Students will be able to form opinions on what is art and beauty. Additionally, they will examine the moral questions surrounding artwork
Learning Tools
Index cards
Picture of a urinal
Duchamp’s fountain
Picture of Mona Lisa
Lesson Plan
What is beauty?
Students: Write down something that is beautiful to you Go around in a circle and share
Ryan or Olivia asks: would other people agree with you (subjective vs. objective) Go around in a circle and share
Ryan or Olivia: explains the difference between amusement and magic art Sometimes they are the same (different for different people) Is Harry Potter amusement or magic?
What is a form of art that has changed your life? Go around in a circle and share
What is art?
Ask them to make art (audience interpretation)
Draw on an index card (3 min)
Have the students share their interpretations of each other's art
Have them share the meaning of their art
Picture of a urinal vs Duchamp's fountain Is one art because of the intention?
Forgeries Forgeries have the skill and mastery; are they art?
Ryan and Olivia press them on their view
If they think everything is art: Ryan or Olivia ask: What isn't art?
If they are skeptical of art: Ask: How would you define art?
Moral implications of art (Discussion questions)
Can you separate the art from the artist?
Are artists responsible for the social change that comes from the art?
Internal Resources
External Bibliography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics
They really liked the interactive aspect. Sadly we didn't get to everything. Perhaps another lesson on the morality of art?