Graffiti Stencil Project

Lesson Objective: Using Stencils, create a work of art with a message based on Graffiti History. 

Key Vocabulary: 

Graffiti is writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall in  public place.

   Stencil: a thin sheet of cardboard, plastic, or metal with a pattern or letters cut out of it, used to produce   the cut design on the surface below by the application of ink or paint through the holes.

Iconography: the visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the interpretation 

Symbols are something represented in the work of art—an object, an action, or a pattern

Symbols can be nonrepresentational item such as a color or a line

Materials: 

Crayola Air Brush

Crayola Markers

Heavy paper to cut stencils 

Cutting board

xacto Knives

Focus art: Graffiti 

CA Art Standards

1.5 Analyze the material used by a given artist and describe how its use influences the meaning of the work.

2.6 Create a two or three-dimensional work of art that addresses a social issue.

3.4 Discuss the purposes of art in selected contemporary cultures.

4.1 Articulate how personal beliefs, cultural traditions, and current social, economic, and political contexts influence the interpretation of the meaning or message in a work of art.

4.2 Compare the ways in which the meaning of a specific work of art has been affected over time because of changes in interpretation and context.

4.5 Employ the conventions of art criticism in writing and speaking about works of art.

5.2 Create a work of art that communicates a cross-cultural or universal theme taken from literature or history.

Modifications: 

English Language Learner: Handout for project, project samples, Power point with visuals, Critique for additional understanding, Demonstration of techniques

Special Needs: Handout for project, project samples, Power point with visuals, Critique for additional understanding, Demonstration of techniques

Accelerated Learner: Expand on skills learned to create a unique project. 

Scaffolding adaptations: 

Students will revisit art elements from the earlier learning. We will use similar visuals to refresh previous knowledge.  Notes on color, scale and artists will be taken throughout discussions for added understanding. Creating sketchbook plans and Constructing final project will be demo started in class using guided instruction.

Direct instruction:

Graffiti is writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall in  public place.

Graffiti ranges from written words to wall paintings, and it has existed since ancient times

Examples date back to Ancient Egypt & Ancient Greece

Both "graffiti" and its singular form "graffito" are from the Italian word graffiato ("scratched"). 

"Graffiti" in art history: works of art produced by scratching a design into a surface. 

Spray Paint and marker pens have become the most commonly used graffiti materials. 

In most countries, marking or painting property without the property owner's consent is considered defacement and vandalism, which is a punishable crime.

1981: Fab 5 Freddy's friendship with Debbie Harry influenced Blondie's single "Rapture" 

The video featured Jean-Michel Basquiat, and offered the first glimpse of a depiction of elements of graffiti in hip hop culture. 

1980’s Keith Haring was another well-known graffiti artist who brought Pop Art and graffiti to the commercial mainstream. 

Then we saw the emergence of the new stencil graffiti genre. Some of the first examples were created in 1981

Banksy starts using stencils almost exclusively by 2000

Works of art may not only have subject matter, they may also contain symbols

   

 Stencil: a thin sheet of cardboard, plastic, or metal with a pattern or letters cut out of it, used to produce the cut design on the surface below by the application of ink or paint through the holes.

Iconography: the visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the interpretation 

Symbols are something represented in the work of art—an object, an action, or a pattern

Symbols can be nonrepresentational item such as a color or a line

To become a symbol, people have to adopt or accept

The cross is a symbol of Christianity,  symbol of suffering

The Sun as the symbol of life and strength 

River is the symbol of eternal change/flowing

The eagle on the standard of America symbolizes strength

Emojis as symbols

Emoji facts: 

USA loves pizza emoji

Canada Loves poop emoji

Australia loves party symbols

Over all mostly happy faces

Project Requirements: 

Sketchbook: Students will complete a study of their stencils, repetition, overlapping, movement as a drawing. 

Their drawing should include a five symbols and a social/cultural message through color and symbols (Iconography)

They will finish their drawing using color.

Submit sketch to Morrison for Final paper

Students must create at least 5 stencils in card stock

Final Project: Using created stencils, student will use overlapping, repetition, pictures and symbols that represent you or your message as an artist. 

Using knowledge gained from the year, address several principles of art: Balance, Scale,  Rhythm, Unity, Movement, Emphasis, Contrast, Pattern