Themes:

What Makes This Art?

These lessons focus on a particular medium, explore an artist's point of view, or examine how an artist was innovative for his or her time. Students might explore what decisions an artist made, explore issues of artistic intention and interpretation, and debate and challenge different definitions of art.

Vincent van Gogh. The Starry Night. 1889; Joseph Beuys. Filzanzug (Felt Suit). 1970; Francis Bacon. Study of a Baboon. 1953

Lesson ideas include:
Artistic Intention, Art Criticism, Controversy, Innovation, Materials and Form

Marcel Duchamp. Bicycle Wheel. 1951

Sample Lesson Activity

After discussing how Duchamp challenges traditional notions of art, work in teams to defend or challenge the artist's statement, “I don’t believe in art. I believe in artists.”