Blog #12

The Fallen Angel, Hugo Simberg, 1903
Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wounded_Angel
Hugo Simberg was a Finnish Symbolist Painter. I came across the image researching a presentation for fourth grade about Picasso.  The artist never offered an explanation of the work.

The kindergarten class that has VTSed with me this semester are Stage 1 viewers. They make concrete observations and try to find narratives in works of art. Using Philipp Yenawine's article on image selection as a guide, I have chosen the above image for lesson 6.

• Accessibility: The figures and setting of the image can be described by this class. I think most will know the central figure is an angel, and they can see that the boys are carrying her.
• Captivation: Knowing how 6 year olds are captivated by boo-boos and band-aids, I think the angel may jump-start their storytelling.
• Expressive content: The painting offers layers of meaning to be interpreted. But with this age group, I think they'll focus on making literal interpretations and won't get the metaphor.
• Narrative: There will be questions of why the boys are carrying the angel, if it is a real angel or a person dressed up, and what happened to her. Some might also explain where the trio is going.
• Diversity: Time - early 20th century
• Realism: The painting is realistically painted.
• Media: Painting for ease of reproduction
• Subject: The painting will offer the students an opportunity to build a narrative from an image that looks like a genre painting.
• Sequences: This painting may be more ambiguous because the angel is a mythological figure in a realistic setting.
• Series: The VTS images do far have been concerned with people: recreation, families, and friends engaged in recognizable activities. This painting includes children going somewhere in a recognizable landscape.
• Mythological/ Religious Subject Matter: Although Yenawine suggests avoiding such subject matter for beginning viewers most of the time, I think there is enough accessible drama in a simple composition for the kindergartners to figure out.

I think the biggest challenge for this group is figuring out why there is an angel in the setting. Some may be content with listing and matching and not ask why the angel is there.  They will probably focus on the children in the foreground and the body of water in the background. If they are just content with listing and matching, the discussion could fall flat. A few students usually make narratives that the others react to, though. I do not expect a metaphorical interpretation of the painting. I do expect they'll start to make a story to explain it.