Inspired by the artist, Maki Ohkojima, students were to work in groups to create a large format mixed media artwork to communicate ideas about a particular animal (i.e. insects, birds, reptiles, mammals, etc). Essentially, we will be advocating for this animal helping to give them a voice: Where have they been? What kind of life have they had?

 

This lesson was designed for Artivism: an introductory level art course for high school Seniors. Most students have little or no prior foundational skills, so they focus on exploring media, experimenting, learning new skills, and create work that addresses a cause, movement that could be either a social justice issue or an environmental issue. The Eye of Whale project was designed to get students in a headspace away from COVID and current stressors that the students are all dealing with right now. By advocating for an endangered or vulnerable animal species, they would be able to critically engage with something else that is often ignored in our everyday lives. Students advocated for an animal of their choice by reflecting their research about the animal in the mixed media artwork they would create.