Exploring Identity Unit

 
Students will explore the concept of identity through a series of
activities.
1) Visual Thinking Strategies activity. 2) Sketching symbols that
express their identity in their sketchbooks. 3)Watching a teacher-lead
presentation: Identity in art/Friday Kahlo, Glenn Ligon, Van Gogh,
Tacy Emin. 4) Participating in an Identity Exchange activity. 5)
Creating 2 self-portrait photographs 6) Creating a Typography self-
portrait. 7) Creating an open-ended final project that expresses their
identity 8) Writing an artist statement that describes their final project
and ways that it expresses their identity
Grade level: 9th
Time: 15 60-minute sessions
 Goals: Demonstrate knowledge of artists using identity as a theme in
their artwork. Both western and non-western (history)
To make interpretations and find meaning in the art that is shared in
class discussions(aesthetics)
To describe the elements and principles in cultural exemplars and peer
artwork (criticism)
To gain skill in photography, photography editing, and hand written
typography (productive)
To demonstrate creativity in their use of elements and principles in
their self-portraits (productive)
To describe the use of symbolism, elements, and principles in their
work (criticism)
To express identity in their own artwork (3 projects)
To describe how they used identity in their artwork during critiques.
To describe identity in their own artwork in a written artist statement.

 Concepts: Frida Kahlo’s use of symbolism to express her identity.

Van Gogh’s use of expression to express his identity. Specifically, how
the elements and principles are used to convey emotion in his work.
How to make a self portrait without putting yourself in it.
Using words to explore identity
There are many styles used to express identity

 Cultural Exemplars:
Vincent Van Gogh: Self Portrait, Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear
Frida Kahlo: Two Fridas, Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair, My
Grandparents, My Parents and Me
Glenn Ligon: Runaways
Tracy Emin, My Bed

 Scope and Sequence

Session 1) Visual Thinking Strategies Activity: Two Fridas, Frida
Kahlo and Runaways, Glenn Ligon.
Students will use the remaining time in class to sketch symbols into
their sketchbook that express their identity.
Session 2) Power Point Presentation on Identity in art, Frida Kahlo,
Glenn Ligon, Tracy Emin, Vincent Van Gogh
MoMa identity exchange activity: .
Brainstorm. Each person should receive ten index cards. On each
card, write a word or a phrase describing something that is important
to your identity.

Connect. Lay your cards out on a desk or surface. Walk around the

room, reading what others wrote on their cards. Anytime you see a
word or phrase that you also identity with, add a dot sticker to that
person’s card.

Reflect. As a group, discuss what you noticed during this exercise.

Which cards had the most dot stickers on them? Did anything
surprise you?

Session 3) Introduce first assignment. Show examples. Discuss as a

group the interpretations of past student’s work. “What can we
interpret about this person?”
Identity Photography Assignment: (2 parts) Students create 2 “self-
portraits”. Both photographs should express the student’s sense of self.
The first photograph is a “selfie”. Part or all of the student should be
visible in the photograph
The student’s are challenged to create a second “self-portrait” without
themselves in the photograph. They should express themselves through
the use of objects, places or things. This project is inspired by Tracy
Emin, Bed

‘
Camera Checkout, and work time
Session 4) Full work session on photography assignment
Session 5) 1st Assignment is due
Full Class Share/Critique
Session 6) Introduce Calligram assignment-Show examples-
Demonstration by teacher
Calligram Assignment: Students print a photo of themselves on
computer paper. They can use one of the photographs from the first
assignment or snap a quick selfie on the computer for printing. They
will trace a line drawing of themselves using pencil. Then they will
turn the lines into text using words. The words should express their self
of identity. They can use words from their sketchbook, and/or
notecards from previous activities.
Session 7) Work on typography assignment
Session 8) Work on typography assignment
Session 9) Typography assignment is due. Full class share.
Session 10) Introduce final project/ show examples.
Final Project: Students will have one week to create a final project
using identity as a theme. They can pull in aspects of any projects
during this unit, or use another material. They will have the class
period to brainstorm, sketch in sketchbooks. They will need to have
their idea by next class period and be ready to work.
Sessions 11) Have final project ok’d by teacher, full work day
Session 12-14) Work on final projects-short discussions at the end of
each period
Session 15) Final Project critique and discussion
Evaluation Procedures:
Observe student behavior to determine engagement and understanding
Participation in Visual Thinking Strategies activity
Students will be evaluated on 3 products that they turn in (photography
projects, typography assignment, final collage with artist statement)
Teacher self-evaluation: Did students have an appropriate amount of
time to complete each section of the unit?