2014, Digital Print, 203 x 254 mm, Series of 3
By FOO CHANG YONG JOHN, Pei Hwa Secondary School, Art Teacher
The uniformity of our concrete landscape has always fascinated me. Personally, I felt this architectural phenomenon has blended into our lives and we depend on it to function and to survive.
During this urban experience, I wanted to study the various structures found in my city and how possibly organic form could emotionally influence these structures. At the same time, I also wanted to explore how throughmanipulation I could create a narrative for my photographs.
Whether it is man-made or natural, I enjoyed studying these organic and geometrical lines around me. In this particular set of photographs I want toimagine myself entering into an unknown corridor and not knowing what is going to happen at the other side.
Lesson Ideas for Passage-way (2014) by Foo Chang Yong John
This lesson is suitable for students in: Secondary 3 NA/Exp
Artwork title: Passageway
Name of artist: John Foo
School: Pei Hwa Secondary School
Possible Guiding Questions
1. What do you see in the pictures—what are the similarities and differences? Can you identify and describe the scenes? List 10 words to describe the photographs.
2. Why do you think the artist choose to photograph these places?
3. Analyse the use of elements of art, or principles of design in these photographs.
4. Describe a favourite place in the school. Describe the visual devices you will use to make these places unfamiliar.
5. If you meet the artist, what questions will you ask him?
Possible Elegant Art Tasks
Starting point: places of local interest
In this lesson idea, students could be asked to think about local places of interest, a place in the community frequented by residents, or an unusual place in the school. The teacher could introduce how artists have depicted space on a 2-D surface: from the illusionistic trompe l’oeil paintings, camera obscura, to installations that deal with space (e.g. James Turrell), to video works (e.g. Charles Lim, “All the Lines Flow Out”). The teacher could explain and create mini art tasks that require students to learn the use of visual devices. A possible elegant art task could be:
Your task is to photograph an unusual place in the school, community, or place of interest. Use visual devices to make these places unfamiliar. With your camera devices, explore and experiment new ways to showcase the uniqueness of these places.
To prepare students for the final task, they could be set mini-assignments that assesses students’ understanding of perspective.
Produce 2 sets of 3 images using your camera/mobile devices, that show:
1. One-point perspective view
2. Geometrical lines/form
3. Organic lines/form
4. Manipulation
5. Uniformity
aedge 