‘Art & Science: The average person’

Delivered Virtually by Jane Remm & Hando Tamm (Estonia), accompanied by Ann Henderson

The aim of the workshop is to introduce art teachers and artists working with children and young people to a pseudo-scientific method of making art based on statistical data. The conception of a common person is opposite to the conception of valuable diversity of differences, thus offering an interesting discussion topic for the work with children and young people. The workshop approaches the topic in a humorous way - statistical average of the participants will be found out and artwork will be made based on this data.

A great deal of contemporary art is of scientific nature, integrating art and science, often using the logic of research in art. Art works are based on documental data, but they are analysed subjectively, creatively or in the key of mockumentary. Making research-based art with children and young peple allows to integrate the topics of different fields of sciences and art. It supports children and young people: 1) to observe and explore selected issue; 2) to organise and analyse gathered information; 3) to interprate the data creatively for the good of artistic conception and self-expression.

The workshop deals with following questions: 1) how to make art, following the logic of research; 2) how to creatively interprate documentary / statistical data; 3) what are good methods for teaching research based art. Example artists include Komar & Melamid, Sophie Calle, Thomas Struth etc.

The topic of this workshop is an average person. Who is he? Or she? Average person is an abstract statistical average, being a base for social, economical and political desicions. But in reality it may be difficult to find him. The conception of common person is an opposite to the conception of valuable diversity of differences, thus offering an interesting discussion with children and young people. The workshop methods will be simple and humorous - statistical average of the participants will be found out and art work will be made based on this data.

Aim: to introduce art teachers and artists working with children and young people a pseudo-scientific method of making art based on statistical data.

Time-table:

1. Introduction of the task, examples, inspiration. 5 minutes
2. 10 questions for gathering statistical data, 15 minutes. Big papers, markers
3. The group is divided into four small groups. All of the four receive a different task for making art work.
4. Practical work, 40 minutes. Different materials, see the list below
5. Presentations, conclusions, short feedback. 15 minutes

Questions:
1. What is your age?
2. Mark you hair colour (based on hair dye cards)
3. What is your foot number?
4. What is your circumference of the head?
5. Do you like stripes or dots more?
6. What do you consider more important in art: beauty or conception?
7. Do you base your decisions more on reason or emotions?
8. Are you a cat person or a dog person?
9. Do you prefer car or bicycle?
10. Do you like Justin Bieber?

Practical work in 4 smaller groups
All the participants will form a line, which is then divided into 4 groups, by counting the numbers from 1 to 4. Each of the smaller group will receive a task how to make an art work.

The tasks are as follows.
1. Prepare a label with the data. Find this person from the street and take mug shots of him / her. You can also find out more data about the person on your own choice.
2. Make a drawing or painting of this person in their environment.
3. Make a schematic or graphic abstraction of this person.
4. Prepare a 2 minute performance about this person.

Presentation: Present you work, why and how did you make such a piece.

Materials: measuring tape (for measuring heads), big papers & markers for the questions and answers, paper, pastells / felt-tip pens / colour pens / brushes for drawing the portraid, photo camers (mobile phone) for photographing the person; paper, pens, markers for graphic abstraction.

Artist Biographies

Jane Remm is an artist and art educator based in Tallinn, Estonia. She has studied painting in Tartu University (BA) and Interdisciplinary Arts in Estonian Academy of Arts (MA). She is currently studing Andragogy in Tallinn University. Her study focuses on art teachers’ professional development in the field of contemporary art. She works in Sally Stuudio art school, as an art teacher and project coordinator. As an artist she is active in the field of painting, but also works in installation and video art. She has had solo and group exhibitions in Estonia and abroad.

Hando Tamm is a painter and a performance artist from Tartu, Estonia. He has a BA in painting from the University of Tartu (2004). He has been working since graduation in Tartu Children’s Art School, where he has been an art teacher and organizer of different events and workshops for youngsters. Recently he has been involved with Tartu Art College, as a lecturer of performance art. As a painter has had 9 solo exhibitions and has taken part in several group exhibitions in Estonia and abroad.