Memory

21st Century Art Education Approach:

Learner Directed
By Brett Melliar, Alyssa Glantz, Emily Manova, & Cristina Huynh-Kim

Article Discussion:
Get into 6 groups of 4 for discussion. The
questions below can help guide your discussion.
Each group will report out to the class after 10
minutes.
Q1: How does this article relate to memory?
Q2: How does memory relate to the lived
experience?
Q3: In what ways is memory developed?

Lesson Overview:
Students will reflect on what strategies
they use to recall memories. They will
use their senses to remember the art
piece in a short time period and rebuild
the art project from memory. Students
will see how different each person
remembers specific elements while recreating art which will display the
importance of memory and the greatness
of individual perception.

Inspiration Artist: Stephen Wiltshire

Studio Investigation: .we forgot.

Stephen Wiltshire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVqRT_kCOLI

Stephen Wiltshireis anartistwho draws and paints detailed

cityscapes. He has a particular talent for drawing lifelike,
accurate representations of cities, sometimes after having
only observed them briefly. He was awarded an MBE for
services to the art world in 2006. He studied Fine Art at City
& Guilds Art College. His work is popular all over the world,
and is held in a number of important collections.
Stephen was born inLondon,United Kingdomto West Indian
parents on 24th April, 1974. As a child he was mute, and did
not relate to other people. Aged three, he was diagnosed as
autistic. He had no language and lived entirely in his own
world.

Memory
Throughout history and across cultures, people
have been concerned with.Memory
Key Concepts:
Memory can be used as a tool to create art.
Memory can take the form of sensations, images,
and emotions.
Memory is used for documentation.
Memory informs imagination.
Memory can be fleeting.
Memory can be altered and falsified.

Essential Questions:
1.How is memory used to direct art making?
2.In what ways can art engage memory?
3.How can sensations, images, and emotions take
the form of memory?
4.How is memory used for documentation?
5.How does memory inform imagination?
6.How can memory be altered or falsified?
7.Why do different perspectives lead to a variety
of interpretations?
8.How fleeting is memory?
9.How does art shape our collective memory of
the past?

Vocabulary Terms:
Memory - process of retaining information over
time (Tulving, 2000)
Subconscious - not conscious awareness
(Ellenberger & Craik, 1970)
Abstract - a composition that does not attempt
to represent external reality (Arnheim, 1997)
Free Recall- being given a list of information to
memorize, then being asked to restate it in any
order. (Zimmermann, 2014)
Association - Perceived experience influenced
by memory of previous experiences (Treadaway,
2009)

Memory
Learning Objectives

TSW be able to.

Explore strategies for memorizing
and recalling visual information
Create art from memory
Create art using multimedia
materials
Recognize how past experiences
inform future choices and
associations

Materials Needed
Paper
Paint
Paint Brush
Pipe cleaners
Glitter glue
Toothpicks
Feathers
Cotton balls
Hot glue
Glue stick

Studio Investigation
1. Students get into 4 groups of 6
students
2. Students will spend 3 minutes fully
examining display artwork in groups;
no pictures, drawings or notes
3. Students will then get into pairs and
work with partner to recreate from
memory the display artwork (person
across from them). Model will be redisplayed after 20 minutes for 1
minute
4. Students will get 5-10 minutes to walk
around and look at peers artwork
while discussing essential questions.
5. Clean up-5-10 minutes before class
ends

Essential Questions Revisited:

1.How was memory utilized to direct your art
making?
2.How did sensations, images, and emotions take
the form of memory?
3.How was memory altered or falsified?
4.Why did different perspectives lead to a variety
of interpretations of the same model?
5.How does art shape our collective memory of
the past?