1. Is Art Just a Form of Self-Expression or is it a Statement?

2. What is art?
Brainstorm some ideas here….

3. art1
the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.

4. Why create art. Something to think about…. Do artists send messages
Why create art? Something to think about… Do artists send messages?? Why can’t they just “say” what they want?
Brainstorm some ideas here….

5. Art as Decoration or Ornamentation
Harrell Fletcher: Anything anyone calls art is art
Kwame Dawes: An environment of empathy
Art as Decoration or Ornamentation
Art's Contribution to Society
Judy Dater: I like expressing emotions
James Sturm: The reasons are unimportant
Pete Docter: It’s fun making things
Gina Gibney: Giving power to others

6. Let’s look at one of the most famous artists from spain….
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez

7. Explore! (Links are on my webpage)
Using your device (or a borrowed laptop), work with your teams to find out the following information about Velazquez:
When did he live?
What type of painting did he do? (realistic, abstract, etc.)
What are typical characteristics/similarities in his works?
**Remember. This is ART and sometimes artists paint all of the human body. If you run across anything that is not middle school appropriate, please be “professional” and move on.
Velazquez
Look for characteristics/similarities here!

8. Explore on your own…
Do an internet search for “artist from the 17th century”. Compare and contrast artwork from that time period in general to that of Velazquez’s. For example, were most artists doing portraits or something else? Were most artists doing realistic paintings or something else?
Be prepared to talk about at least one other painter and tell the class how his/her artwork compared to Velazuez’s work.
Finally, in your opinion, was Velazquez’s are a form of Self-Expression or was he making a statement about something? SUPPORT your opinion!