Art reflection #3

WORKING WITH CLAY:

Today I'm feeling healthier and can finally actually get into my art activities. Today was also the first day that we got to use the art room at UBC. The class focused on clay activities that can be done with students:

#1. Build a Habitation
Children start the class off discussing different styles of habitations. They are then shown photos of habitations from all around the world. They look at pictures of houses, bungalows, huts, mansions, pyramids, castles, etc. Then they are shown photos of houses that have 'art' as a focus. They look at pictures of houses made out of glass bottles; houses made in the shape of an elephant; houses that are made out of plastic, etc.


Then the children are given an opportunity to build their own habitations out of clay. At the same time a group of children begin building an island out of paper mache and clay. Afterwards they glue their habitations to the island to the area that best suits the needs of their habitation.

Then we discussed the different methods of working with clay. We were shown the proper techniques in properly gluing two slabs of clay together without them falling apart in the kiln. We made the bonding glue of SKIP, which consists of a mixture of water and a bit of clay. When SLIP is put between slabs of clay it keeps it together and smooth. I found that SLIP was great to use as an outside coat to fill in the cracks.


Then we were given an opportunity to build our own habitation. I chose to build castle as it has always been an interest of mine to actually live in one someday! It started off pretty tame, but then I got inspired when I was speaking with someone about the story of "Oobleck" by Dr. Seuss. In the book, the king runs up a very tall spire with a weird Dr. Seussian roof. On my castle In included this tall spire, and even included the window that he leans out to see his whole kingdom covered in oobleck.