A TRIP TO THE RENAISSANCE

Michelangelo Buonarroti: Pietà, 1498-1499

(A lesson to share)


Objectives:

• Recognize important elements about the Renaissance such as the flourishing of all arts (culture in general)
•  Introduce the art of Michelangelo Buonarroti
• Create sculptures with our bodies
• Re-create architectonic spaces with classroom elements (tables, chairs)
• Apply Michelangelo’s artistic concepts in dramatic exercises
• Convey both emotional and physical expressions
• Improvise simple scenes inspired by Michelangelo’s work
• Reflect about the experience

Materials:

Easel pad (or blackboard), fabrics, markers, tables, chairs, clay, brown paper, crayons, and CD player.

Process: Prepare classroom before starting the class.

1-   Introduction to the period. Give a short introduction. Renaissance means re-birth. It happened in Europe (XIV-XVI I Centuries). Many good things took place in the Renaissance. People traveled around the world and developed a growing interest in culture and scientific discoveries.

2-  The art of Michelangelo. Talk briefly about Michelangelo and his art. He was born in 1475 and died in 1564. Michelangelo worked on sculpture, architecture, poetry and painting, but he considered himself a sculptor in the first place. He thought that people who could make sculptures were deeply connected with God and shared the divine power to “make man.”

3-   Pictures and talk. Show your students pictures of Michelangelo’s works from the children’s book Michelangelo by Diane Stanley. Talk about the statues of Moses and Pieta. Invite them to add comments about these pieces. What emotions do the statues express? Ask the kids to create sculptural pieces, using their bodies.

4-   Contrapposto. This technique was employed by Michelangelo and other sculptors from Italy and Greece. It’s the disposition of the human figure in which one part of the body is turned in opposition to the other part. Opposition makes the sculpture more interesting. This technique is not only used in the visual arts but also in theater. Actors may use opposition to build more attractive images with their bodies.

5-   Actors using the opposition technique. Bring pictures of actors using the opposition technique. When the actor uses opposition, the tension in his body allows him to create a motivating presence.

6-   Opposition between two actors. By employing the opposition technique, two actors can also create an interesting scene. Use a rope and other objects to allow the kids to create images applying the opposition technique.

7-   Mirror exercise. You may also introduce the mirror exercise, in which the students will have to recreate each other's movements. 

8-    Story Time: Read fragments from the book In the Time of Michelangelo by Antony Mason.

9-    Sistine Chapel. Two large tables may serve as the chapel. Cover the lower part of the tables with brown or white paper for the kids to decorate it. Sitting or resting comfortably on the floor, your students may draw angels, animals, etc. on the paper. Use crayons or markers for the activity. When they finish their work, place one table on top of the other and pretend you are visiting the Sistine Chapel.

10-  Improvisation. Using color scarves, improvise upon the book Michelangelo Bunnyrroti that narrates the story of a bunny named Michelangelo, by Andrew Toffoli. Encourage your students to play a role in the improvisation.

11-  Reflect about the experience. Discuss the words learned and things done during class time.

Vocabulary:

      Renaissance, sculpture, architecture, oppositions, chapel, balance, technique, contrapposto, scenery.

Name of the Books:

      Michelangelo Bunnyrroti by Andrew Toffoli

Michelangelo by Diane Stanley

In the Time of Michelangelo by Antony Mason

Outcome:

      New and fun ways to see our bodies and the elements of the classroom. Tables and chairs will be used to introduce architecture and scenery. Bodies can become the material to create great sculptures. The students will have the chance to perform in simple improvisations.