Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this activity students explore the concept of environmental art. They begin by working in groups to analyse a number of environmental artworks, and then create their own environmental photography based artwork based on the theme of climate change. Students present their artworks to the class for peer assessment.

Learning goals:

  • Students understand that environmental art is a theme of art aimed at increasing our appreciation of the natural environment.
  • Students understand that environmental art can take a range of forms and can have a variety of intentions.
  • Students recognise that they have the ability to create environmental art.
  • Students develop their photography skills.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking.

Australian Curriculum content description:

Years 9 and 10 Visual Arts

  • Manipulate materials, techniques, technologies and processes to develop and represent their own artistic intentions (ACAVAM126)
  • Plan and design artworks that represent artistic intention (ACAVAM128)
  • Analyse a range of visual artworks from contemporary and past times to explore differing viewpoints and enrich their visual art-making, starting with Australian artworks, including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and consider international artworks (ACAVAR131)

Topic: Climate change

Time required: 48 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – oversee activity.

Resources required: Internet access, students worksheets, cameras (digital, tablet or phone).

Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for homework or extension.

Keywords: Art, photography, climate change, environment.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Overarching learning goal: By participating in this activity students will understand that environmental art is a theme of art aimed at increasing our appreciation of the natural environment. They will learn that environmental art can take a range of forms and can have a variety of intentions, and they will understand that they have the ability to create their own piece of environmental art.

Teacher content information: If the purpose of art is to make you look a little closer and to think a little deeper about the world, then it makes sense that artists would be explore the natural environment in their art. Increasingly, environmental art is being explored as a way of interrogating human relationships with the natural world and as a way of improving our relationship with nature.

However, not all environmental art is about taking environmental action. Broadly speaking, environmental art can be broken down into several loose categories:

  • Art that describes the
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Student Worksheet

melting-men-2Thought starter: What is environmental art?

Broadly speaking, environmental art can be broken down into several loose categories:

  • Art that describes the natural world;
  • Art that celebrates personal engagement in the natural world; and
  • Art that directly addresses environmental issues (sometimes known as ‘ecological art’ or eco-art’).

It also seems that much environmental art is ephemeral, being made to disappear or transform, much like aspects of the natural environment, or is designed with a particular place in mind. Increasingly, environmental art is a collaborative effort between the artists, scientists, or community groups.

According to the website greenmuseum.org, some environmental art:

  • "Informs and interprets nature and its processes, or educates us about environmental problems;
  • Is concerned with environmental forces and materials, creating artworks affected or powered by wind, water, lightning, even earthquakes;
  • Re-envisions our relationship to nature, propos
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