Lesson video

Welcome.

My name is Ms. Alton, and I'm so excited that you've chosen to learn with me today.

Right, let's get started with today's lesson.

So, today's lesson is all about starting our very own art movement, which is super exciting.

And we're gonna be specifically looking at the role of manifestos within that.

And we're gonna be writing and creating our own manifesto.

So, by the end of today's lesson, you will have created a manifesto that will communicate your own artistic intentions.

So, it's that time to take all that learning about art movements you've learned across this unit to now create an art movement of your own.

Today we have quite a few keywords, and we'll really be exploring these in detail, throughout the lesson.

The first is manifesto, which is basically a public declaration of an art movement or artist's principles.

Artistic intention, which is the purpose or message of an art movement or artist's work.

The style.

So, this is the artistic outcome of an art movement or artist, and the medium, which are, is the materials that are used to create an artwork.

We have three parts to this lesson today.

So, first of all, we're gonna look at manifestos and what their purpose and the themes are.

Then we'll look at them and the styles and the mediums, and then we'll look at them as forms of communication.

And this is where you're gonna be creating your own manifesto.

So, let's get started.

Manifestos, purpose and themes.

A big question to frame this section of the lesson.

How do art movements communicate the meaning and reasons behind their artworks? What do you think? Let's have a look at what these people say.

So, these people are saying, "Artists sometimes discuss their ideas in interviews or on websites, on podcasts." This other people are saying, "Museums often write labels that explain the meaning behind them." What other ways can you think of? Well, one way that art movements can do this is to use a manifesto to share their principles and artistic intentions with the public, with their audience.

A manifesto can help unify, so they can bring together the ideas and the artistic intentions of an art movement, creating a sense of community and purpose for that art movement.

Andeep is importantly saying here, "Not all art movements have to have a manifesto." You don't have to have a manifesto to be part of a art movement.

And equally, "Some individual artists who do not belong to an art movement, choose to write a manifesto for their very own work." And we'll be looking at some of those artists and art movements today.

A check for understanding.

What is a public statement about the artistic intentions and principles of an art movement or artist called? Is it a declaration, an announcement, a manifesto, or a retraction? Well done.

Yes, it is a manifesto.

And a second check for understanding.

All art movements have a manifesto.

Is that true or false? Hmm? What did you say? It is false.

We know that not all art movements have to have a manifesto.

And we also know that individual artists who don't actually belong or identify to an art movement can also have a manifesto themselves.

So, if we dig a bit deeper into manifestos and their communication of these artistic intentions, let's understand what that actually means.

So, an artistic intention is the why of an art movement or artist's work.

These pupils are discussing what artistic intention means to them.

So, this pupil saying, "Our artistic intention is how we communicate our purpose." So, the point of the artist's work or the art movement.

And "we can express that purpose through the themes and ideas we use in our art." And this other pupil is agreeing.

They're saying it is the purpose of our art.

It's the message we want to give.

So, an artistic intention is the why of an art.

And I want you to start thinking about this, when you start creating your own art movement, what is the point? What is the purpose of your art you're going to create? What message are you going to communicate? A check for understanding.

What does artistic intention refer to in a manifesto? Is it the themes expressed in the artworks, the purpose of the artworks, the style of the artworks or the mediums used in the artworks? Well done.

'Cause this was a tricky one.

It is, of course, it's the purpose of the artworks, the message.

And artistic intentions are very varied across movements and artists' works.

And historic and contemporary purposes have actually included the purpose to address inequalities, promoting artistic freedom, rejection of traditions, rejection of conventions, embracing new directions and embracing self-expression.

And Andeep again says, "Intentions mean something personal to the movement or artist.

It's something they passionately believe in." So, when you think about what your artistic intention is, it needs to really resonate with you.

What do you really believe in? What do you really want to push? And we'll explore smart movements and artists in a moment to get some inspiration.

So, one of these is the Harlem Renaissance.

And this was a movement which started in 1917.

And a key figure in the movement, Langston Hughes, published an article which would later be considered a manifesto.

And within that article and what was to be considered a manifesto, their artistic intentions were discussed.

And this included celebrating black identity and speaking out against racial oppression.

Akademi is a dance organisation in the United Kingdom, dedicated to developing South Asian dance.

Started by Tara RajKumar and Mira Kaushik OBE, their manifesto includes their artistic intention of raising the profile and accessibility of access to high quality South Asian dance.

Now let's look at a pupil's manifesto and artistic intention.

So, we have Lucas here, and he started developing his own art movement, his own manifesto, and started to express what his own artistic intention is.

So, have a look at this poster he's designed and see if you can work out what his artistic intention is.

Shall we see what Lucas says? So, Lucas says, "My movements manifesto communicates his artistic intention, and that is visually raising awareness about the importance of sustainable living." So, the purpose, the message he passionately believes in, and he wants to communicate through his manifesto and through his art movement, is this idea of visually raising awareness about the importance of sustainable living.

Thinking back to those manifestos we've looked at, what is Akademi's manifesto seeking to create opportunities for? So, is it South American dance? South African dance, or South Asian dance? Well done.

Yes, it is indeed South Asian dance.

So, we've decided what our artistic intentions are, our messages, our purposes, these are often shown through the themes and ideas expressed in the art movements work or an individual artist's work.

So, Andeep says, "The Harlem Renaissance use themes of community, the influence of slavery, and the everyday lives of black people living in America to express their artistic intention." And let's go back to Lucas.

Now, remember, his artistic intention is about promoting visual awareness or raising awareness visually of the importance of sustainable living.

So, what themes do you think he's including? These are some examples of ideas of artworks.

What themes do you think he's using to express his artistic attention about sustainability? Have a really close look.

What do you think they are and what do you think the themes are? Let's see what Lucas says.

So, he says, "I've used the theme of distorted unsustainable materials." So, this kind of changing the shape of unsustainable materials like plastics "to show that ugliness," he felt that the distortion, the theme of distortion, would show this sense of ugliness in terms of the harm that they will do to the planet.

So, that's his theme.

And again, thinking about themes, true or false? The Harlem Renaissance to use themes of community to express their artistic intentions.

Well done.

Yes, it is true.

The Harlem Renaissance used themes of community, the influence of slavery, and the everyday lives of black people living in America to express their artistic intention.

So, moving on to our first task, which is very exciting, and this is building up.

We're gonna start building our own art movement and creating our very own manifesto.

And the first part of what we need to do is to choose our artistic intention.

So, thinking back to Lucas, he really passionately believes in promoting sustainable living.

What purpose is really important to you? I'd like you to think about this, discuss this, and then I'd like you to record this as notes and sketches and really explain why it is personally important to you.

So, some ideas that you might like to think of, you could consider staying safe online and cyber bullying.

You could think about raising the profile of those in need.

And you could think of things such as the effects of gaming or mental health and behaviour.

What is important to you? What perhaps is important to your local community? And then I want you to record this like Lucas has in this illustration as notes and sketches.

Off you go.

Well done.

As always, I'll say it, I wish I could see each of your work, but I'm sure you've created some lovely notes and some lovely sketches, and hopefully you've really conveyed why it's personally important to you.

And Lucas explains here, "I chose my artistic intention of raising awareness of sustainable living as he really passionately believes that we must address this, and that many people actually still do not take it as seriously as they should." Now you've chosen your purpose, your message, your artistic intention, I'd like you to think about the themes you'll communicate your artistic intentions through, remembering Lucas used this idea of distorted unsustainable materials.

He used a few sketches, he used plastic.

And what themes would visually explain to your viewer or your audience what your purpose or message is? Have a really good think about this.

You could do some research on this as well, but pause the video and off you go.

I wonder what themes you chose.

Well, Lucas created a sketch of a squashed plastic bottles to reflect the theme of distorted sustainable materials.

Let's move on to our second learning cycle, manifestos, styles and mediums. So, we've looked at the purpose, the artistic intentions and the themes, and now we're gonna look at the styles and mediums. So, back to these pupils.

And these pupils are discussing what aspects of an art movement a manifesto can help guide? And this pupil is saying, "It can help guide the style of the art we create." And this pupil is agreeing and saying "It can also affect what mediums and techniques we choose to use." So, having a manifesto, explaining that intention and explaining the themes can help support and guide the artist's work or the different artists in the art movement, in the style that they use and the mediums and techniques that they use.

A style is the artistic outcome of an art movement or artist.

And the medium are the materials that are used to create the outcome.

So, the materials that are used by the artist to make that final piece is called the medium.

And Sophia says, "Art movements and artists can use different styles, mediums." Mediums can be traditional or non-traditional and can include, oil paint, clay, bronzes, and photography.

So, these are just examples of some traditional mediums. And less traditional.

So, non-traditional mediums can include sound, found objects.

So, those objects that you just find.

Light, and recycled materials.

And that's a little bit like Lucas's work using found objects.

Can you think of any others? Check for understanding.

I'd like you to complete the sentence.

So, what word completes the sentence? A something is the artistic outcome of an art movement or artist.

Well done? Yes, it is indeed a style.

Now let's have a look at some of these styles and mediums used in some manifestos and in some art movements.

Mexican Muralism was an art movement that started in the 1920s after the Mexican Revolution.

Their artistic intention was to make art for all people, not just the rich.

And this guided their style of bold and dramatic large-scale murals placed in streets and public spaces.

And because they were large murals, they often use traditional mediums such as painting and mosaics.

And this is a pupils mural of some of the themes and the styles that the Mexican muralists may have used.

Artist Diego Rivera, 1886 and to 1957, was one of the leaders of the Mexican Muralism movement.

He created monumental murals, so really large murals that showed important moments for Mexico's past and present.

And he used modern painting styles to create bold and powerful images.

And Sophia says, "In 1929, Diego Rivera married the artist Frida Kahlo," who we've met in some of our lessons before.

"And they inspired each other's artworks." Check for understanding.

What was the predominant style of the Mexican muralists? Was it pretentious and daring? Was it muted and cool? Was it bold and dramatic, or was it cautious and calm? Well done.

Yes, it was bold and dramatic, and they really wanted to show that art was for everyone.

Surrealism was an art movement that started in Paris in 1924, and its manifestos referred to articles by Andre Breton, 1896 to 1966, and Yvon Goll 1891 to 1950.

And they rejected social traditions and conventions, so traditions, norms, and conventions.

They wanted to reject them.

They used the unconscious mind and created a style of dream-like strange and unexpected images placed together, such as a melting clock, draped over landscape, or an apple placed over the face of a person.

And this pupil here has been inspired by the surrealists.

How do you think they have been? What about their style is inspired by the surrealists? Well done.

Yes, they've placed fruit over their face, they're mixing together these unconventional and strange and unexpected objects and images.

The surrealist artistic intentions guided their use of materials.

And so they used traditional materials such as photography in non-traditional ways alongside non-traditional materials.

So, Marcel Duchamp, who was part of the surrealist movement, he created ready-made artworks, which actually included everyday objects such as a bicycle wheel and a stool.

And he put them together.

So, what did Marcel Duchamp call his artworks that use everyday objects? Get ready to shout it out.

Ready? Go.

Yes, it is, ready made.

Well done.

Let's go back to Lucas and see.

We now know that his intention is about raising visual awareness about the importance of sustainable living.

And he's gonna use the theme of distorted non-recyclable materials.

So, how has Lucas's artistic intention of raising this guided his style and medium in this artwork? Have a really good look at it.

What do you think? Let's see what Lucas says.

So, he says, "I've used the non-traditional medium of rubbish, and he's used it in a very abstract style.

So, it's not a very representational style.

So, we squash the objects together, and this is again, to reflect that the chaos and trauma our world is feeling" and the need to be living a sustainable life.

So, we are gonna build on our manifesto that we started in targe.

And I'd like you to choose the style and the medium that your art movement will use.

And I'd like you to make sketches and gather examples of them.

Here are some questions that might help you.

So, style, will your movement have one main style or lots of different ones? So, if you remember surrealism, there was quite a few different styles.

Which style will be most effective in showing your artistic intention? So, have an explore, think about lots of different styles, and then think which one is most effective.

And you could ask another friend or a pupil.

And then the medium, does your movement best suit traditional mediums, such as photography, painting, drawing, or non-traditional mediums? Pause the video and off you go.

Well done.

So, again, we have Lucas with his sketchbook here, and he said that again, "The medium that my movement will use will be plastic.

And this is really important to visually and physically represent his artistic intention.

So, visual representation and physical and the style of works will be abstract and distorted to mirror the destruction that these non-recyclable materials are causing.

Let's move on to our third section, and this about manifestos and forms of communication.

And pupils are now discussing what they think or how they think manifestos are normally communicated.

This pupil says "Most of the manifestos he's seen are written," but this pupil says, "I think it depends upon their artistic intention and what they are trying to communicate." Manifestos are often thought of as written works.

However, in art, they can be multidisciplinary and include many different forms. So, a manifesto could be created three multimedia, including photography and filmography.

Mixed media including drawing, collage, text, and performance installation, and fashion, manifesto can take any different types of disciplines and it can be multidisciplinary.

So, it can include all of these.

And we're gonna look at some of these examples now.

Before that, let's have a check for understanding, true or false? Manifestos are always communicated through text.

Well done.

It is false.

In art manifestos don't need to be written, but could be multidisciplinary in their approach.

Let's start having a look at some really exciting ones here.

Lorraine O'Grady's Work Art is, it was created in 1983, and she used live performance to deliver her manifesto.

So, her manifesto was delivered through live performance.

And what she did, she carried a golden frame through a parade in America, holding it up in front of different people.

And the artistic intention of her manifesto was to show that art is everywhere and belongs to everyone.

So, a little bit like if we think back to the Mexican muralists that their intention was that art belonged to everyone.

This was the same for O'Grady, but she chose to enact this through live performance.

And here we have a picture of some pupils reenacting this in their classroom.

What discipline did O'Grady use to communicate her manifesto? Was it photography, performance, printmaking, or painting? Well done.

It was indeed a performance.

Now in Misaki, Kawai's manifesto, "10 Rules for Art and Life" created in 2023, she uses graphic design and colourful images and phrases to communicate her manifesto.

It's a very playful manifesto.

And the use of colourful images and texts, reflect her artistic intention that art should be playful and joyful.

Art should spark joy in the viewer.

Complete the sentence.

So, Masaki Kawai's manifesto uses colourful and phrases, get ready to shout it out, one, two, three.

Well done, yes, images.

And now let's move on to a third manifesto.

Bruguera, Tatlin's Whisper number five from 2008, used an immersive performance through which to deliver her manifesto.

She placed police officers on horseback to control museum video visitors.

By doing this, she was communicating her artistic intention of questioning who has power and whether they actually should.

So, let's look at Lucas' again, remembering that his intention is about raising the profile of sustainable living.

What discipline is Lucas using to communicate his manifesto? And this is his manifesto.

This is how he has communicated his manifesto.

What discipline is he using? Yes.

So, this is an illustration of it and in the actual thing, he's used mixed media and installation to communicate his manifesto about sustainable living in this oversized frame.

So, he's linked it to art by using this oversized frame.

So, now we move on to our last task.

And we've looked at the intention, we've looked at the themes, we've looked at the styles, and we've looked at the mediums. And now you're gonna consider and create how you are gonna create and present your manifesto to your audience.

So, you need to decide, first of all what discipline and form you're gonna use to communicate your manifesto.

So, like Lucas, he's used plastic bottles on a big fray.

And here are some ideas.

So, you could use images and texts, photography or video, performance or installation, or indeed a multidisciplinary approach.

So, all of these things together or bits of things together, or indeed you could just write, it could be a written manifesto.

Pause your video and have a thing.

Right, let's have a look at what you decided.

And so Lucas here said he's going to communicate his manifesto through a sculptural installation, because he wants the audience to be able to interact with it and physically walk through the frame.

Well done.

Now our second part is to create your manifesto.

And you're gonna use your discipline you have chosen and choose a name for your art movement.

From task A and B, you should include the artistic intention.

So, what the purpose of your art movement is, the theme and ideas your art movement will use to express your intention, and the style and styles your art movement will include, and the medium your art movement will include.

So, now is the time to take all of that and communicate that through your manifesto and through the discipline you have chosen.

So, if it is photography, you might want to take a series, of photographs and include a title page.

If it's performance, you may well perform it.

If it's written, you may write an essay.

If it's a combination, you might have pictures, images, and texts.

Now that is the time to go and create.

Pause the video.

Well done.

I so wish I could see each of your manifestos and I imagine and hope that there's a huge range.

Some of you will have done video installation, written, it'd be lovely to see them all.

And as Lucas did, his, again, was the frame that people could walk through so they could interact with his manifesto.

Thank you for joining me today for this lesson, start your own art movement, create the manifesto, and hopefully you've had a really fun lesson and we've taken all that knowledge that we've learned over this unit to now start your own art movement.

We've learned that art movements can, but they don't have to use a manifesto to share their artistic principles with the public.

We've learned that artistic intentions refer to the purpose of an art movement or artwork, and the themes this is communicated through.

And we've learned that manifestos can guide the different styles and mediums used.

And lastly, that manifestos can be communicated through many different disciplines and indeed can be multidisciplinary.

Thank you for joining me and take time to reflect on all that wonderful learning you've done today and in the past unit.