Digication Response

There was so much in here and they all looked like good ideas, but it seems impossible to me to make sure to include them all in a single curriculum. I could take just one of the ideas and form an entire curriculum that would focus on it. I could also take a few and put them together or work little ideas that she presented into a unit, but the way she writes makes me think that each one is vital to the art education experience. I feel as though I could never do anything justice if I tried to do it all. For these reasons I have picked just a few articles/topics that I think are most important and work them into a curriculum.
#1-Postmodern Principles- I have always liked the elements and principles with the caveat that they are not the be all and end all. They were a good way of making sure that my art was well designed. I often asked myself if I had a good emphasis, if it was balanced, if the contrast was evident... I, however, did not like doing a project that was solely focused on these elements and principles. I liked them as background knowledge to help me design and judge artwork. Gude's postmodern principles are great. These to me are just more knowledge and help when making and critiquing art. They are things that I think we need to know about. I had not been taught about juxtaposition in my grade-school years, but I think that it is an important element. Gude's elements and principles make me want to look for even more elements and principle that could be added to a repertoire of art knowledge. Maybe I could even have my classes brainstorm some of their own.
#2-There's Something Queer About This Class- I am a not LGBTQ, but I have friends who are. I have read stories and articles about things that these kids have gone through. I am a firm believer in everyone making their own choices and that being different does not make a person bad or a sinner. Yes, I do still believe in the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman. I do believe that men and women have divine roles and that they are to do these things together. I believe that homosexual tendencies are not what something that should be pursued, but I also believe in agency, love, and acceptance. I may believe in the word of wisdom, but I don't shun everyone who drinks alcohol or coffee. I think it should be the same with the LGBTQ community. There are indeed many gay artists. One of my favorite artists is Félix González-Torres, who is gay and his work actually focuses a lot on his partner Ross. I feel that I should be able to create a safe place for learning and understanding. There should be no one that has to fear coming to class because of their sexuality or really anything that makes them different.
#3-Playing, Creativity, Possibility- YES! What a point! Art does NOT automatically equal creative. I liked a lot of the suggested art projects that foster creativity. I feel that the way to be creative is to let loose. I have said that I love the elements and principles, but they are not all there is to art. I love playing with art, having not pressure, and just trying things out. New materials or methods are not the best to use in a final project, but we should first have some fun testing them out, seeing what we can do with them. Is there a different way to use the materials than what is traditional? My favorite art to do is non-traditional media. I love finding problems and figuring out creative ways to solve them. My roommates ask me how I know how to do all this stuff and all I can say is, "I made most of it up," or "trial and error." I feel like my favorite creations are the ones that posed the biggest challenge and had the most problems. I feel more accomplished and proud of the results. I hope that I can foster this same love for playing, testing, failing, and trying again in my students.
I feel like I can work all of these things into a solid curriculum. While there were many good points and ideas, I think that if I can get these three things together, I will have a great class foundation that is both open and structured. There will be freedom to be who you are and do what you enjoy mixed in with the learning and developing.