TESSERACT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BRING HOME AWARDS FROM ASU ART MUSEUM COMPETITION
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—November 29, 2011—Ninth-grade students Inbal G., Sydnee K., Alexis L., Monica M. and Galih M. represented Tesseract School at the Arizona State University (ASU) Art Museum’s High School Video/Film Competition held in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibit “Juan Downey: The Invisible Architect.” Galih brought home the Juror’s Choice award for her short film, which included a music score she wrote specifically for it, and Monica brought home an Honorable Mention for her short film, which captured moments from her trip to New York. All of the students’ films were created to capture the style and emotion of video art by Chilean artist Juan Downey.
“I am so proud of the students and the level of work created by them, as I know they are too,” noted Barbara Perez, Tesseract School middle and high school visual literacy and arts educator. “This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to engage and interact with the University and a world-renowned museum.”
The exhibition is the first U.S. museum survey of Downey’s work and was organized by the MIT List Visual Arts Center and the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Downey, a video-art pioneer, explored the “…intellectual and historical myths of European culture, as well as the roots of Latin American identity, through videos and installations that use associative visual metaphors, collage-like techniques and non-linear narrative.” (1) Tesseract’s students researched Downey’s video-art techniques, use of perspective and creative style, capturing the essence of his work by creating short films that invite the viewer into moments of their daily lives.
“The students learned to push their creative boundaries even farther by looking at their daily surroundings from a different perspective, translating them into an interpretation of Downey’s style and sharing them through artistic expression utilizing technology and the manipulation of film,” continued Nueske-Perez. “It was a wonderful experience for them, and it is very exciting that the short films from all of the students who participated have now become part of the Museum’s exhibition.”
The opportunity for students to experience a museum or public gallery showing of their artwork is an important part of Tesseract’s visual arts program. Starting at age 3, students in all grade levels at Tesseract explore the arts—one of the school’s signature programs—and learn to understand the cultural and historical significance of art through art history, discussion, observation, literature, song, drama and the production of artwork. In addition to the current exhibit at the ASU Art Museum, Tesseract students have had their artwork exhibited at Phoenix Art Museum’s Wolfswinkel Education Center Student Gallery, online at Artsonia.com and at various local galleries, including the Calvin Charles Gallery, in association with the Phoenix Art Museum, where Tesseract’s eighth-grade students’ abstract self-portraits were recently showcased. Tesseract’s sophomores’, juniors’ and seniors’ artwork will also be spotlighted in an upcoming two-page spread in the January 2012 issue of Scholastic Art Magazine.
“The public response and reaction is the framing of the work. Opportunities like these are vital to any program that hopes to excel in the visual arts,” noted Nueske-Perez.
“Juan Downey: The Invisible Architect” exhibit, including the students’ films, will be at the ASU Art Museum through December 31, 2011. For more information visit http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/.
About Tesseract:
A leader in education in the Valley, Tesseract School prepares students to excel in college and beyond, lead lives of purpose, and become ethical and compassionate citizens with a global perspective. Tesseract’s innovative educational approach engages students in learning, enabling them to master the basics and become critical thinkers. As a non-profit, independent private school for students in preschool through grade 12, resources are directed to recruit and retain outstanding educators and continually enhance the school’s two campuses in Phoenix and Paradise Valley. For information visit www.tesseractschool.org or call 480.991.1770.
###
References
1. “Juan Downey: The Invisible Architect.” 2011. ASU Art Museum, http://asuevents.asu.edu/juan-downey-invisible-architect (accessed on November 17, 20
|
|
|
