Girl+and+Toy--+He+Sen


 * Girl and Toy -- He Sen**

Title:Girl and Toy Artist:He Sen Country of Origin:China Culture/Ethnicity:Chinese Date:2005 Size:59.1x78.7in/150x200cm

Introduction

He Sen currently lives in Beijing and is a graduate of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts. Sen creates large scale paintings in a photorealistic style expressing the many social and cultural influences facing young women in today's China. Because of China's rapid growth and explosive consumerism, his paintings question how young Chinese women learn, based on what they are exposed to and what role they play in society.

Descriptive Analysis

This large scale painting depicts a young woman lying down on the edge of a bed peering out to make contact with the viewer. She is dressed in a short pink polka dot skirt and blue top. Her hair is pulled back and her face appears to be made up with make-up. Both arms display two different styles of bracelets while underneath the young woman's right arm is a teddy bear lying down parallel to her body. The lighting of the overall painting is gray, with exception to her clothes, make-up, and the red collar on the teddy bear. Other than the representation of a bed to associate with some sort of room, everything else in the scene is left ambiguous to the viewer.

Formal and Contextual Analysis

The young woman's gaze invites the viewer into her world to comment on what challenges woman face in today's society. Specifically in this painting, He Sen comments on how popular culture influences the way women of this generation behave. It is obvious to see that the young woman in the paintings is dressed to fit in with what is viewed as popular by other people's standards with her choice in clothing, jewelry, make-up and hair style. The inclusion of the teddy bear indicates the innocence of the young woman. Her youth is still among her, yet her decisions are influenced upon outside forces within the mainstream culture. Sen's use of ambiguity suggests that this young woman represents the youth of that time and could almost be anyone, anywhere facing the same expectations of what it takes to fit in and be accepted. Popular culture and consumerism can invade anyone's home and influence the lifestyle choices of many. References
 * [[image:http://images.artnet.com/WebServices/picture.aspx?date=20061017&catalog=107665&gallery=110884&lot=00321&filetype=2 width="324" height="260" caption="Du Du, 2006 http://www.artnet.com/Artists/LotDetailPage.aspx?lot_id=41A528E7DA54919E372C28ADB0FBFB48"]] || [[image:http://images.artnet.com/artwork_images_425370889_456079_-hesen.jpg width="242" height="260" caption="Sleeping with the toy, 2008 http://www.artnet.com/artwork/425922885/425370889/he-sen-sleeping-with-the-toy.html"]] || [[image:http://www.designboom.com/tools/WPro/images/11j/hs1.jpg width="318" height="263" caption="Come Together, 2008 http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/3893/he-sen-at-the-tilton-gallery.html"]] ||

Printed Sources:

On-line Sources: Art Net. He Sen. 2009. 24 Mar. 2009 <[]>. -Works of art for auction and sale. Includes a wide range of images and information.

Art Zine: A Chinese Contemporary Art Portal. He Sen. 2008. 24 Mar. 2009 <[]>. -A brief review of He Sen's work with multiple examples.

Combs, Nicky. He Sen. 2000. 24 Mar. 2009 <[]>. -Article on He Sen's work involving women and society.

Designboom. He Sen at the Tilton Gallery. 2009. 24 Mar. 2009 <[]>. -He Sen review at the Tilton Gallery with images.

Morgan, Robert C. He Sen. 2008. 24 Mar. 2009 <[]>. -A critical perspective written on He Sen's exhibition at the Jack Tilton Gallery.

The Red Mansion Foundation. He Sen.. 24 Mar. 2009 <[]>. - He Sen profile on exhibition exchange site between China and Great Britian.

Tilton Gallery. Sen.. 24 Mar. 2009 <[]>. - A New York exhibition review with several images of He Sen's work.

=Art331-EMU: TEACHARTWIKI LESSON=

Standards and Benchmarks: This lesson meets the following [|National Standards and Benchmarks for Arts Education]. VA.9-12.4 Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures (1), Activity 1. VA.9-12.5 Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others (1 & 2), Activity 1. VA.9-12.1 Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes (1 & 2), Activity 1. VA.9-12.1 Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes (1 & 2), Activity 2. VA.9-12.2 Using knowledge of structures and functions (2 & 3), Activity 2. VA.9-12.3 Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas (1), Activity 2. VA.9-12.1 Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes (1 & 2), Activity 2. VA.9-12.3 Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas (1), Activity 2. VA.9-12.4 Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures (1), Activity 2. VA.9-12.4 Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures (1), Activity 2. VA.9-12.1 Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes (1 & 2), Activity 2. VA.9-12.3 Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas (1), Activity 2. VA.9-12.5 Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others (1 & 2), Activity 2. VA.9-12.5 Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others (1 & 2), Activity 3. ﻿ VA.9-12.6 Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines (1 & 2), Activity 3.


 * __Concepts__ **

1. Popular Culture: Contemporary lifestyle and items that are well known and generally accepted, cultural patterns that are widespread within a population; also called pop culture. 2. Photorealist Art shares some similarities with the Pop Art movement, whose return to representational forms was also a reaction against the subconsciously-driven, process-oriented paintings of Abstract Expressionism. Both Photorealist Art and Pop Art feature recognizable imagery that is heavily based on consumer culture.

Central Concepts - Photorealist art shares some similarities with the Pop Art movement, whose return to representational forms was also a reaction against the subconsciously-driven, process-oriented paintings of Abstract Expressionism. Both Photorealist art and Pop feature recognizable imagery that is heavily based on consumer culture. __Activity 1__ Examining and Researching He Sen’s Artwork 2 class periods Computer lab. - Each computer is connected to the main computer where the teacher will project selected images of He Sen’s work. Here, the instructor will give a summary of He Sen’s artwork and background information. These artworks will include: 1. //I love toys,// 2008

2. //Girl toy smoking,// 2003

3. //Space and Air,// 2008

4. //Cigarette and whisky,// 2005 Background Information: - 1968: Born in Yunnan Province, China - 1989: Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, Chongquing Province, China - 1995-1999: Studied at Kunstochschule Kassel, Kassel, Germany - Currently teaches at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in the Department of Photography and Digital Media in Bejing. __Research He Sen’s Artworks__ __Computer lab.__ - Students research He Sen’s work and choose one that they admire. - When choosing an artwork, students must look for these attributes and must not simply pick the piece because they “like” it. o Color (what color palette He Chen chose) o Framing (use of positive and negative space) o Technique of artwork (what medium is used and how it’s applied) o Content of piece - The work they choose will be used in Activity 2.



__Activity 2__ Creating a Photorealism painting 1 class period Introduction-1 class period - Students will be introduced to other photorealism artists via PowerPoint presentations and discussion. - These images include: - Doug Bloodworth’s 1. -//Oreo// 2. //Superchip//
 * || Possible Points ||
 * Student had chosen an artwork of He Sen's || /5 ||
 * Total Points || /5 ||

-Roberto Bernardi 3. “work in progress”

4.

//Candy Machine,// 2008 - During the presentation and discussion, students are asked to analyze the subject (including attributes and objects), color, shot, framing, what consumer product was used, and technique of the artwork projected. - Students must also address these questions: - Who is the audience? - How are they trying to influence the consumer? - What is the painting saying? Creating a Photorealism Painting-7 class periods - Students will use the images they chose in Activity 1 to guide them towards the subject in which they want to paint. - Once students have an idea of the subject they want to paint, they will then take a digital camera and photograph that subject with appropriate attributes and objects with consumer culture in mind. - Images will be downloaded to a computer and opened in Photoshop and then resized to an appropriate size in order to help them create a grid to guide them while drawing their subject onto their canvas. - The students will use the image they have resized in Photoshop to use as a guide to create their painting. - They will produce an 18x24” painting to replicate the illusion that the painting looks like a photograph. Writing an Artist Statement- 1 class period - Students will use Microsoft Word to put together an artist statement pertaining to their painting. - Worth 10 points - Statement must include:


 * ½-1 page in length
 * Statement is clear and well thought out
 * Addressed the questions in Activity 2
 * Reason for choosing his/her subject (including attributes and objects) and color, shot, framing, and technique to depict the subject.

__Activity 3__ Critique, Refection, and Showcase- 2 class periods Critique on Peers’ Artwork - Students will display their paintings on the bulletin boards. - Students will then get into groups of 2-3 to discuss and record positive and constructive criticism of the work. - Positive comments must include: o What is working well? o How well does the student portray the photograph into their painting? - Constructive criticism must include: o Areas that need to be improved. o How the student could fix those areas. Reflection-Homework - Students will respond to the critique from the previous class and write a reflection paper to address the comments the students had made.
 * || Possible Points ||
 * Uploaded image into computer correctly || /5 ||
 * Resized image to appropriate size and created a grid correctly || /5 ||
 * Painted appropriate subject for lesson || /10 ||
 * Replicated the look of a photograph into a painting || /20 ||
 * Total Points || /40 ||

Showcase on the Websitehttp://www.artnet.com/- Students will take a photograph of their paintings using a digital camera. - They will then upload them to the computer and resize them to an appropriate web viewing size. - The students will then take these images and upload them to the school’s class website for the entire community to view and offer comments.
 * || Possible Points ||
 * 1-2 pages in length || /5 ||
 * Statement is clear and well thought out || /5 ||
 * Addressed the comments made by peers in class critique || /5 ||
 * Reasoning for choosing subject. Include color, shot, framing and technique to depict the subject || /5 ||
 * Total Points || /20 ||


 * || Possible Points ||
 * Uploaded image to computer || /5 ||
 * Resized to appropriate size || /5 ||
 * Posted to website || /5 ||
 * Total Points || /15 ||

References

http://www.artnet.com/ http://dougbloodworth.com/ http://www.robertobernardi.com/