Locations: New York, New York

Reflecting on Text and Context in Art

What does art tell us about the time and place of its creation, and what does the context tell us about an artwork? In this lesson, students consider the work of Keith Haring in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which can be used as a framework for studying any artist and era. Students research historically and culturally significant events as a potential means to understand artists and their works. They create and present slide shows that incorporate images of the work with commentary that place the pieces in their historical and cultural context. Finally, they trace the legacy of their chosen artist via the work of artists who came later or their effect on culture.

Students at PS183 in New York, learn how to draw with wire, as part of the bodies in motion workshop

Haring's 2-sided mural on a handball court at 128th Street & 2nd Avenue in NYC overlooks the FDR drive. A public site that has brought much acknowledgement since it was painted in 1986. This lesson, organized collaboratively with The Children's Storefront gives local students the opportunity to examine and reflect on one of Haring's most influential landmarks.

High School students in the YMCA Teen Action Program at Washington Irving collaborated with Live Out Loud and professional artists, to celebrate the end of their PRIDE week by using art to express their ideas.

Using Keith Haring's book, TEN as a starting point, children will learn to quantify and visually depict numbers.

Similar to the book, I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO SLEEP, containing children's responses to Haring's work, students are encouraged to look at Haring's work, and create their own stories.

Inspired by work Haring explored throughout his life, this project asks students to photograph one another and reflect upon what they see both externally and internally.

Using Keith Haring's book, BIG, Children will write and illustrate all the words they know for the word small.

This collaborative project, inspired by a set of prints Haring made titled, RED AND BLUE, asks children to interpret classmates' abstract shapes and write or tell a story about them.

A writing lesson that asks children to determine questions to elicit interesting and revealing biographies of other children.

Using examples of Keith's own progressive posters as a springboard, students are encouraged to create their own messages in the form of a public poster.

Usually lessons take a class through a project, this lesson takes a class through reflection and display, a great complement to any activity.