Lesson One

Enduring Idea(s) or Question(s):

Visual culture refers to the aspects of culture as expressed through visual images. Visual culture
can be understood as a way in which to interpret and comprehend the operations of todays
culture through pictures, images, and other visualizations (Irvine, 2011). Visual culture is
concerned with any visualization that conveys information, meaning, or pleasure. Visual
technology is the means through which individuals experience visual culture. Visual technology
refers to any instrument that was created to be looked at or to aide vision, such as a painting, or
the Internet (Mirzoeff, 1999, p. 3). The enduring idea for this lesson is that
everyday images and the images we create as artists have an impact on our culture.

To Teach and Reflect on The Enduring Idea:

To teach and reflect on the enduring idea the instructor will ask the students to use their mobile
device or class computer to research visual culture and visual culture artists for fifteen minutes.
After the fifteen minutes the class will come together for a class discussion to share their
discoveries.

Lesson Objectives & Rationale:

The expected learning |
The students will study visual culture artists to understand the variety of concepts and mediums
that are used in visual culture.

The means through which that learning will be achieved |

The teacher will show the students a presentation over some visual culture artists. After the
presentation the class will discuss the artists and their work. The students will discuss the
urbanization of the artists and how they are turning everyday objects into artwork based on its
location and documentation.

The means through which the learning is observable and assessable |

The students will be designing a character that they will photograph in a variety of locations and
document the pictures in a portfolio. The students will be assessed on the completion and quality
of their portfolio.

Rationale:
Various forms of media, such as photography, cinema, television, and the Internet have
attributed to the rise of visual culture (Mamur, 2012, p. 1). Visual culture is a concept that is
becoming increasingly relevant. Visual culture is important in regards to art as it concerns all
forms of visual images. It is important for students to learn about visual culture to prepare them
for the rising demand for the visual forms of media. Looking at visual culture will help the
students realize what art is morphing into. Therefore, students will be able to enhance their own
art.

TEKS 117.302.
(2) Creative expression. The student communicates ideas through original artwork using a
variety of media with appropriate skills. The student expresses thoughts and ideas creatively
while challenging the imagination, fostering reflective thinking, and developing disciplined
effort and progressive problem-solving skills. The student is expected to:

(A) use visual solutions to create original artwork by problem solving through direct
observation, original sources, experiences, narrations, and imagination;

(B) communicate a variety of applications for design solutions;

(C) use an understanding of copyright and public domain to appropriate imagery constituting the
main focal point of original artwork when working from images rather than direct observation or
imagination;

(D) create original artwork to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, or impressions;

(E) collaborate to create original works of art; and

(F) demonstrate effective use of art media and tools in drawing, painting, printmaking,
sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, and digital art and media.

Specific Art Content:

Photography
Drawing

Resources & Materials for Teacher:

Camera
Computer
Pens
Powerpoint
Paper
Pencils

References Page:
Mamur, N. (2012). Perceptions concerning visual culture dialogues of visual art pre-service
teachers. Educational sciences: Theory & practice, 12(3), 2166-2174.

Mirzoeff, N. (1999). An introduction to visual culture. London: Routeledge

Irvine, M. (2011). Introducing visual culture: Ways of looking at all things visual. Retrieved
from http://faculty.georgetown.edu/irvinem/visualarts/Intro-VisualCulture.html