Academic Programs –> National Gallery of Art--Sculpture –> Ms. Hayes's class, Walker-Jones E.S.

National Gallery of Art

During this unit, students learn about sculpture. In the classroom, they are introduced to representative sculptures from throughout history, with a primary focus on the modern era. Students identify sculptures' subject matter, materials, and texture. They also learn to distinguish between realistic and abstract sculpture, and to analyze different ways the sculptor conveys his or her message.  At the National Gallery students build off of their prior knowledge, examining and interpreting different types of sculptures. They conclude their tour with an exploration of the works of Alexander Calder.  During post-trip classroom activities, students build a "stabile" similar to those pioneered by Calder.
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During the post-trip lesson, students create their own sculptures, inspired by the works of Alexander Calder they had seen at the Gallery. (right)

Students use beads and plastic rings to add moving parts to their sculptures. (top left and right)

Students make their stabiles more abstract by twisting and looping wire into the base. (below left and right)

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