Collective Family Memory

Students will think about their family history and memories, and how to convey that visually.
Students will think about how they understand their family heirlooms and objects in similar and different ways than their relatives.
Students will learn about how family history and collective memory is created through stories and objects.

KEY QUESTIONS

1. Does your family have collective memories? Are there stories everyone in your family knows and repeats even if they weren’t there to experience them?
2. Are there family heirlooms and objects that are special to your family?
3. Are there colors or an aesthetic that you associate with your family home?
4. How do you embrace or rebel against your family aesthetic, objects and memories?

VISUAL REFERENCES

1. The Color of Temperance: Embodied Energy (2015), Julie Schenkelberg

ACTIVITY

Create a project that defines your families’ aesthetic and collective memory. If the project is visual, think carefully about the colors, images, materials and objects you use as inspiration. What story do you want to tell with your project? What feelings do you want your project to evoke? Share your final project with your family – do they understand or remember the feelings or memories you are trying to convey? Does your family member have the same memories or a different viewpoint? Is this understandable or surprising?

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PENNSYLVANIA CORE STANDARDS
VISUAL ARTS

(9.1.8.A-9.1.12.A)
-know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities

(9.1.8.B-9.1.12.B)
-recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts

(9.1.8.C-9.1.12.C)
-recognize and use fundamental vocabulary within each of the arts forms

(9.1.8.D-9.1.12.D)
-use knowledge of varied styles within each art form through a performance or exhibition of unique work

(9.1.8.E-9.1.12.E)
-demonstrate the ability to define objects, express emotions, illustrate an action or relate an experience through creation of works in the arts