Today, for the first time I was the workshop leader at 826Michigan and taught a workshop I designed entitled: Fantastic Ekphrastic! I taught students the definition of Ekphrastic art and writing the first half of the workshop and in the second half of the workshop talked about how drawing and sketching could be incorporated into our writing (thanks, Patty and Phillip for teaching me this at Interlochen, so I could than pass it on to younger students).
I think it went really well and I felt more comfortable than I thought I would teaching, but then again I was teaching about art history, a subject I am very knowledgeable about and writing, a subject I am very passionate about. Not to mention, that many times when I am stuck on what to write about, I do Ekphrastic writing and so I was basically just passing down writing exercises I do all the time.
The only downside is there was low attendance, only two girls that attend every workshop at 826Michigan came and I am hoping if I teach this workshop again that more people will come, and wondering if there is anything I could do to up attendance.
Here was the packet of my lesson plan, if you are at all interested:
ReplyDeleteFantastic Ekphrastic!
“Q: Tell me, doesn’t your painting interfere with your writing?
A: Quite the contrary: they love each other dearly.”
-e.e. Cummings (poet and author with many awards) in mock self-interview
What does “ekphrastic” mean?
Ekphrastic comes for the Greek word Ekphrasis, which means a dramatic description of visual art. In the times of the classical era or classical antiquity it referred to the description of anything, person or experience. It comes from two Greek words “Ek” and “Phrasis” or “out” and “speak” respectively.
So what? What does that mean to us today?
Now, when we refer to ekphrastic writing or art we mean writing or art inspired by other works of art. Tip: Sometimes it’s fun to go around a museum and make up stories or poems about what you see!!
A Wonderful Most famous Example From classical Antiquity!!!
“Ode to the Grecian Urn” By John Keats- Romantic poet
A less known modern Example:
“Monet Refuses the Operation”
By Lisel Mueller- from her book Alive together New and Selected Poems 1996
Now it’s your turn!
(Students take a moment to pick a piece of art and write about it)
Incorporating Drawing and sketching into your writing
“We should talk less and draw more. Personally I would like to renounce speech altogether and like organic nature, communicate everything I have to say in sketches.” – Goethe- German writer and polymath
*Quick Fire Drawing-draw something you see in the room without thinking too much about it (10 second drawings) Tip: This is easier if you do not pick up your crayon at all
*Add something you imagine to your drawing…could be a character an object, anything as long as it is not really there with your still life
*Write something about what you have drawn
*Draw the next scene of your story
“Art does not reproduce what we see; rather it makes us see.” –Paul Glee- Swiss and German Painter
Sharing time and discussion!!!
(Students share their work and we discuss how writing and drawing can be mixed)