Sample work Creative Arts K–6 Stage 3: Visual Arts: Mars Expedition Collage

Description of activity

Students explore the collage works of American artist Robert Rauschenberg, and images of astronauts and planets to make artworks representing space and the planet Mars. They use a range of techniques to make a collage of the Mars environment and may include visual metaphors.

1. Students experiment with different techniques to create a visual texture reminiscent of Mars.
2. They create a monoprint of an astronaut that may form part of their artwork.
3. Students collect magazine clippings.
4. They collate the selected materials and rework them to create their intended effect.

Suggested materials

Reproductions of Rauschenberg’s work, soft drawing pencils, charcoal, art paper, acrylic paint, brushes, scissors, magazine clippings, adhesive

Prior learning

Students have been studying Mars in Science, looking at photographs of the planet and its surface close-up and from a distance. In Visual Arts they have produced layered paintings and looked at digital reproductions of Rauschenberg’s work. In English they have written descriptions of astronauts.

Outcomes

Making (VAS3.1)
Investigates subject matter in an attempt to represent likenesses of things in the world.
Making (VAS3.2)
Makes artworks for different audiences, assembling materials in a variety of ways.

Criteria for assessing learning

Students will be assessed on their:

• experimentation with different painting, drawing, printmaking and collage techniques
• representation of the subject matter of the planet Mars including the surface qualities, colours, shapes, patterns, lines and atmosphere.

Work Sample Assessment

Ashley  

Ashley has demonstrated a very high level of competence in using form and techniques to convey meaning. A variety of techniques, such as layering of paint and paper, have been used to show movement and to create contrast and focus. There is evidence of planning and careful observation. Ashley has chosen not to include an astronaut monoprint in the collage but has successfully conveyed a perspective of Mars. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard at the end of Stage 3.

Kerry 

Kerry has demonstrated a very high level of competence in using a variety of techniques and the collage form to convey meaning. Paint, crayons and magazine clippings have been used in a layered format. There is evidence of experimentation and an interesting viewpoint has been taken, conveying the concept of floating in space. Careful observation has been demonstrated in the arrangement of the astronaut and the surface of Mars. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard at the end of Stage 3.

Jamie 

Jamie has demonstrated a very high level of competence in using techniques and form to convey meaning. Jamie has drawn on art appreciation and knowledge of Rauschenberg's work. There is evidence of experimentation in the use of painting, working outside the border, collage technique, tearing and cutting to create the desired effect of perspective and movement. Jamie demonstrates evidence of careful observation in the selection of appropriate magazine collage. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard at the end of Stage 3.

Kim  

Kim has communicated a high level of knowledge and understanding of forms and techniques to represent space and the planet Mars. Kim has demonstrated careful observation of surface qualities by using colours, shapes, patterns, lines and different media. Painting techniques and choices in colour, tone and arrangement of shapes demonstrate a higher level of understanding of texture and form. There is evidence of experimentation with different processes. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard at the end of Stage 3.

Cameron  

Cameron communicates a high level of knowledge and understanding of forms and techniques to represent space and the planet Mars. The work demonstrates careful observation of surface qualities by using colours, shapes, patterns, lines and different media. Painting techniques and placement of irregular shapes demonstrate a higher level of understanding of texture and are evidence of experimentation in the artwork. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard at the end of Stage 3.

Sam  

Sam has demonstrated a high level of competence in using forms and techniques such as painting, printmaking, drawing and collage. There is evidence of experimentation in the use of bold colours and angles. The contrasting surfaces of Mars and Earth have been explored using paint and pencil. There is evidence of careful observation in the representation of subject matter. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard at the end of Stage 3.

Jordan 

Jordan has applied knowledge and skills to demonstrate a high level of competence in using techniques such as collage, painting and printmaking. There is evidence of experimentation in the layering of the surface of Mars. The contrasting bold colours are eye-catching and help accentuate the features of the subject matter. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard at the end of Stage 3.

Indra  

Indra has shown an adequate level of competence in using the techniques of painting, drawing and collage. There is some evidence of observation of the subject matter shown in the representation of the surface qualities of Mars. There is evidence of texture created through the overlapping of paper and painting techniques although the resulting effect is more mosaic than collage. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 3.

Chris 

Chris has communicated an adequate knowledge and understanding of forms and techniques to represent space and the planet Mars. Chris has demonstrated a sound level of competence in using colours, shapes, patterns, lines and different media to create the surface qualities and atmosphere. Subject matter is literal rather than representational, and shows little evidence of risk-taking. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 3.

Pat 

Pat has demonstrated an adequate level of competence in using the techniques of painting and collage. There is evidence of observation of the subject matter, namely the surface of Mars and the astronaut. Some risk-taking can be seen in the selection of images chosen such as the clock and the word 'dust'. Texture is shown in a variety of ways using a number of materials. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard at the end of Stage 3.