Installation

Location: art studio/classroom

We paired up, then explored the classroom space. Once we identified stools stacked haphazardly upon a black, paint bespeckled table, we decided it was a good starting point.
We decided we wanted to add color so we found colorful yarn that tied in which the colors of the paint spots on the table. We began hanging, wrapping, and tying the yarn on the stool legs. We added three copies "The Art Book" because the cover also tied in with the color scheme.

I found this experience relaxing and meditative. It was a simple task once we found a starting point and made some quick decisions. Tying the yarn and talking was a nice way to form a work of art.
I wanted the installation to pop with color more and the yarn simple tied and draped over stool legs wasn't bold enough. As a reaction, we began wrapping the yarn, included the ball and added the books. I wasn't thrilled about the end result but enjoyed the process and learned about installation.

I would use this in a high school classroom as a collaborative lesson on elements of art. One way our specific materials would translate to an lesson on elements, would be with line. The group assignment could be to create an installation that illustrates the use of line using yarn and chairs from the classroom. The collaboration would allow students who were unsure to work together and find a place to explore with low stakes by leaning on each other. As a large work, it creates a space where a class can gather around to discuss how the element is operating. Finally, it allows students to explore elements in a way outside of drawing or painting.

Location: Hickory Hill Park

Began by walking around the park, then came to an interesting vine that cascaded from lower tree branches to the ground. It was already art in itself. Next, we found flowers and made a bouquet within the frame of the vine.
Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy's work, I gather several small gold leaves and gold flower petals. Then I found an interestingly shaped stick and placed it at the base of the vine and flowers, surrounded it with the leaves and petals in a gradient of gold to brownish gold.
To connect the two very different yet closely place installations, we placed a stick from the ground wood to the vine and dotted it with flowers from the vine down and gold petals and leaves from the base up.
To add a pop of color, use a found cluster of beautifully colored red berries and unite the piece, we added individual berries by placing them on the ground of attaching them to the thorns of the vines.

I enjoyed spending the morning outside in the park, especially in the breezy, overcast weather we had. It was lovely. As we created our installation, from start to finish, I continually noticed things that we beautiful about our little Iowa park, and continually saw potential starting points for art or simply beauty in nature itself. A few examples are the leaves as they fell from the trees, the way vines and branches interacted to make interesting shapes and frames, and all the color variations of the woods around us that when I first arrived just seemed brown, yellow and green.
Rachel and I both agreed that our installation was more attractive in person and the photos didn't capture what we saw in life.
I realized the time and massive amount of material Goldsworthy must use for his nature installations like the one I was inspired by (a gradient of leaves around the trunk of a tree- made it look all glowy). If I had more time, my vision could have come to fruition but for this experiment I only got a glimpse of my goal when it came to outlining the stick with the leaves.
Rachel and I started at either ends of the installation and worked towards each other. When our two parts met, we worked together to unite them as described in the process.
One peer's observation I found interesting was that it was

I would enjoy using natural installation in an elementary level classroom. I think it teaches appreciation of both art and nature because we are not only uniting the two, but introducing a new definition of what art can be, and a new way of interacting with nature.
I appreciated the collaborative process that can accompany installation and find that this would be a good way to get kids working together, and help kids be more willing to experiment because they are in it together