Unit of Study 5 6th Grade VAPA Lesson Mythological Movie Motifs

Animated By Ray Harryhausen http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WNMTYA9qL.jpg

Big Idea Narrative characters change throughout a dramatic story arc.

Essential Question How is dramatic arc revealed through a character’s experiences and adventures?

Background Information: Greek mythology generates excitement in cinematic adaptations. More popular myths are often reinvented for each new generation. However, someone has to read the original myth determine how to best represent the dramatic adventures of the hero through a variety of conflicts. Person vs. self/nature/fate/gods/man/woman/monster all integrate to communicate the hero’s journey. The Golden Fleece, or Jason and the Argonauts, is one such tale that has received repeated attention on the big screen.

VAPA Visual Arts Standards Develop Perceptual Skills and Visual Arts Vocabulary 1.2 Discuss works of art as to theme, genre, style, idea, and differences in media 1.3 Describe how artists can show the same theme by using different media and styles. Skills, Processes, Materials, and Tools 2.1 Use various observational drawing skills to depict a variety of subject matter 2.3 Create a drawing, using varying tints, shades, and intensities. Communication and Expression Through Original Works of Art 2.5 Select specific media and processes to express moods, feelings, themes, or ideas Role and Development of the Visual Arts 3.1 Research and discuss the role of the visual arts in selected periods of history, using a variety of resources (both print and electronic). 3.2 View selected works of art from a culture and describe how they have changed or not changed in theme and content over a period of time. Derive Meaning 4.1 Construct and describe plausible interpretations of what they perceive in works of art. Connections and Applications 5.1 Research how art was used in theatrical productions in the past and in the present 5.3 Create artwork containing visual metaphors that express the traditions and myths of selected cultures.

Learning Objective The learner will analyze various examples of literary conflict in an ancient Greek myth by reinterpreting the story with a content driven illustration, a movie poster.

Materials

12X18 white drawing paper oil pastels colored pencils

Digital art images (not crayons charcoal sticks copyrighted) Colored chalk/pastels

Procedure 1. Read aloud a brief version of Jason and the Argonauts at http://www.greek-gods.info/greek- heroes/jason-and-the-argonauts/ or a resource of your choice.

2. View movie posters from the 1963 film, Jason and the Argonauts and contrast with the 2000 film.

http://thecitylovesyou.com/cinerex/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/POSTER-JASON-AND-THE-ARGONAUTS1.jpg http://www.blogazine.in.th/sites/default/files/blogpicture/%5Byyyy%5D/%5Bmm%5D/jason_and_the_argonauts.jpg http://40.media.tumblr.com/c83ca1c2df07200bec2dfdf349f75135/tumblr_nj2a0zMoWN1qdezf9o1_1280.jpg

https://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/23/b70-11825 http://31.media.tumblr.com/9fcf8f671d3e0af974c3a99be700c0e0/tumblr_mk7zifLnV11qh35m6o1_1280.jpg http://images.losmovies.tv/movie/jason_and_the_argonauts_2000.jpg

Graphic novels also contain modern depiction of Greek myths. (2000 film)

http://www.capstoneclassroom.com/product/covers_lg/9781434211729.jpg http://www.gwthomas.org/Jason%20cov%2000a.jpg

3. Guide students in a symbolic discussion of the myth by using the ancient Greek philosopher’s questioning technique of Socratic Dialogue. In this method, the answers are not given, but layers of questioning are submitting to the class to lead them toward self-discovery of possible interpretations of the picture. What is pictured in the foreground? Why is the man focused and clear instead of pixelated, like Zues? For that matter, why is Zues seemingly a part of the temple’s pillar? What shape is Jason contained within? How does this link to ancient Greek pottery? Who is the woman inside his head? If she is Hera, Zues’s wife, why is she there instead of with Zues? Why isn’t Zues facing Jason? Why is he ghostlike, or ethereal?

Through Socratic dialogue, students will reveal to themselves the nature of the polytheistic pantheon of anthropomorphic deities who sometimes helped, and sometimes hurt humans for their own whims. A discussion of the external appearance of handsome Jason vs. the internal conflicts and motivations that drove him is further explained by the multi-headed hydra. As one problem (neck) is hacked off, two grow in its place as the story progresses.

Challenge students to provide examples of literary conflict referencing the posters and the read-aloud of Jason and the Argonauts.

Literary Conflict: Man vs. self. Learners note his personal struggle with greed, fear, and how he finds the conviction to lead the Argonauts through many challenges. What role does Hera play in this journey? Man vs. nature. Scenes from the story are recorded where ocean currents, earthquakes, and natural phenomena occur that affected Greek mariners. Man vs. man. His conflict with his uncle Pelias, drives much of the stories events, as he his seeking to reclaim his father’s throne. His method of assembling the Argonauts with Hercules is also noted. Man vs. monster. The multi-headed hydra represents multiple conflicts. Various natural phenomena are represented by sea monsters, as well as Talos, an ancient guardian. Man vs. gods. Due to their anthropomorphism, Greek deities were capable of jealousy, hatred, love, and were motivated by these in their interactions with humans. Like pieces on a game board, Jason confronts even these. Man vs. fate. Even death itself is represented in his quest for the golden fleece, as he confronts the children of the hydra’s teeth.

4. Students read a Greek myth from their Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt texts. D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths is an excellent resource with ample storytelling variety and complexity. Brainstorm the literary conflicts confronting the myth’s protagonist. Determine key experiences, conflicts, and decisions that form the character’s identity, whether the consequences for those decision be positive or negative.

Identify one conflict to focus on in the myth movie poster.

To promote visual thinking and reflection, a thumbnail click art web search could helpful. Students begin to synthesize images into a photo mosaic as they prepare for their movie poster illustration. Post for students to reference.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/174/475479747_b56358afde.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Selinunte_-_Templi_Orientali_(Temple_E)_18.JPG https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3362/3567635422_2f2f6fa4f8_z.jpg?zz=1 http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/050/7/7/Clash_of_the_Titans_Wallpaper_by_laselwoo.jpg

For example, students might represent a mythic character verses him or herself in a drawing that represents the inner struggle against self, doubt, fear, or loneliness. An ambitious student could choose to represent multiple conflicts revealed in the story in an illustrated mosaic.

5. Students use their preferred medium to represent their myth’s conflict. For example, an image within a monster’s tooth, or a skull reflected from a close-up of a retina could be a representation of Man vs. monster or Man vs. fate.

The eyes of Zeus through The temple stoop is blocked by Harpy with the Argo and Jason Zeus’s thunderbolts and on her wings. thunderbolts gaze down on the Argo between conflicts. monsters.

The mind’s eye of Jason is The polarized goal of the golden Greek inspired pottery portrays revealed as he observes the fleece is obstructed by the hydra the hydra while the goddess clashing rocks. under the stern gaze of Zeus. Hera looks upon the Argo sailing between the clashing rocks.

When drawing, frequently students complain they can’t think of anything to illustrate, and are deeply concerned about the quality of their work in an era where professional images are a mouse click away. It is appropriate, however, to provide a sampling of images from other artist’s depictions of Greek myths, including original Greek pottery depicting these stories, recent film clips, and the pages of the text itself (HM/Harcourt/D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths).

Students will need to rough sketch their ideas in class, and possibly use the free download of photo editing software to enhance a photo collage that is of interest to them.

Students who enjoy digital media might develop a PhotoShop/Corel Draw movie poster versus pastel, or create a collage using both mediums.

Assessment and/or Evaluation Poster Rubric: Assignment Component 4 3 2 The illustration reflects Variety is used with color Color choices are Limited color to enhance personal choices with choice with images in the intention, with in focus the image. Everything is varying tints, shades, and foreground depicted in and blurred images the same size and intensities different intensity than the intentionally represented. proportion. background Little negative space remains. A visual metaphor May contain text, but Abstract images enhance a 1:1 correspondence to a represents one or more enveloped and warped to direct representation of scene from the story, conflicts from the Greek enhance the image. story elements. A blend of resembling a picture from myth. Images abstractly formal and abstract. an event directly sketched. communicate the conflict encountered. Score 1: no attempt

Write: Artists write a paragraph statement describing their movie poster’s analysis of the dramatic arc, but leave it turned over. On the back, students “walk the gallery” by visiting one another’s poster, and writing what myth they think is being depicted, and some details concerning the experiences and adventure of the protagonist. They must compliment how the artist has chosen to depict the subject matter of their chosen myth, whether it be a literal montage or symbolic synthesis of myth’s motifs.

Challenge: Ask a perceptive question, rather than leave a comment, to promote further interpretation by the artist.

Group Discussion: Whole class, discuss the conflict evidenced in their stories. Refer to the original poster as necessary to prompt each type of conflict represented in the story. Determine the types of life lessons Greek people would glean from each myth. Include wise and foolish choices made by the protagonists in their quests. Greek heroes often are not perfect. Rather, mistakes serve as life markers for others.

Extension Greek pottery was the original mythological posterboard. Depictions of stories, wars, and athletic events were common place. Artisans etched a scene into the black glazing of the pot, revealing their scene on the orange hued clay.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d6/Douriscup_83d40m_Athene_aegisWingedLionessOwl_pythonVomitsJason_fle eceInTree_Vatican.jpg

On this cup, Athena is forcing the hydra to give up Jason. Notice the golden fleece hanging from the tree in the background. Students can repeat the same effect by cutting out the shape of a Greek vase, using an orange crayon/pastel, drawing a scene, and then covering it with a black watercolor or tempera paint wash.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Kadmos_dragon_Louvre_E707.jpg

Or, reverse the effect, using a black crayon/pastel, and covering it with an orange watercolor wash.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Boxers_Staatliche_Antikensammlungen_1541.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Niobid_Painter_-_Red-Figure_Amphora_with_Musical_Scene_-_Walters_482712_- _Side_A.jpg For comparison, here are two similar shaped Greek pottery vases, black boxers on orange, and orange musicians on black. Developed around 520 B.C.E., red figure vase painting (right) replaced the black figure vase painting (left). Flat, profile views, formerly scratched with difficulty onto the surface of the vase, could now be painted proportionately with far more vivid detail.

Warrior’s Helmet Vase

Further, once conflict and its multi-faceted nature is explored, students can identify a modern social issue they would like to represent visually. This should be age appropriate for sixth grade. However, the hero’s journey clearly has modern application. New conflicts could be explored with student vs. technology instead of monster such as student vs. bully, sibling vs. sibling, and individual vs. group.