Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Art: Modern Baroque

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

Establishing clear learning outcomes is critical for guiding students in their studies and subsequent practical activities. By being explicit about our objectives, students can better draw from their prior knowledge and focus on key aspects of the Baroque movement that we will study in class. This clarity enhances our classroom time and deepens our understanding of the subject.

Objective Utama:

1. Explore Baroque art as a means of Christian expression in the Modern Era, identifying its aesthetic features and religious symbolism.

2. Examine the impact of the Baroque artistic movement in Europe and its influence and adaptation in colonial art across the Americas, highlighting key examples.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Cultivate critical analysis and interpretation skills related to artworks, fostering a better appreciation of their historical and cultural contexts.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to connect with students by engaging them with previously studied material through problem-based situations that encourage the application of theoretical knowledge in a practical context. By contextualizing the theme with interesting examples, we can stimulate curiosity and highlight the relevance of studying Modern Baroque art, setting the stage for a deeper understanding in later activities.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you are a Baroque artist in early 17th century Canada, tasked with creating a sculpture for a church altar. What aesthetic and symbolic aspects of the Baroque would you regard as vital to effectively showcase the grandeur and spirituality of the religious theme?

2. Consider a newly established colonial city in the 17th century Americas, built by European settlers. How would Baroque art, introduced from Europe, be adapted into the decoration of local churches and buildings, keeping in mind the cultural and stylistic influences of Indigenous and African communities?

Contextualization

Baroque art was not just a religious expression, but also served as a tool for power and evangelization for the Catholic Church amid the Counter-Reformation. The term 'Baroque' originally had a negative connotation, referring to something 'imperfect' or 'grotesque,' but it later evolved to characterize a complex, ornate, and grand style. In the Americas, Baroque was adapted to local influences, resulting in a vibrant blend of styles. For instance, in Ouro Preto, Brazil, Baroque churches are renowned for their intricate and lavish decorations, merging Indigenous and African influences with European styles.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

This development phase is crafted to allow students to creatively and practically apply their knowledge about Baroque art. Through engaging and collaborative activities, they'll deepen their understanding of the Baroque style and its expressions in Europe and especially in the Americas. These activities not only reinforce theoretical learning, but also build teamwork, critical thinking, and creative skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Baroque Architects: Reconstructing Faith

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of Baroque style in creating an architectural design, enhancing understanding of cultural and religious influences of the time.

- Description: In this group activity, students will work in pairs of up to five to design a new facade for a Baroque church. Using paper, coloured pencils, and a ruler, they will create a drawing that incorporates typical Baroque elements like symmetry, ornate details, and optical illusions to convey a sense of movement and grandeur. Their designs should reflect the adaptation of Baroque style in the Americas while also integrating local cultural aspects.

- Instructions:

• Break the class into groups of up to five students.

• Hand out materials like paper, coloured pencils, rulers, and erasers.

• Provide a quick overview of Baroque architectural features and how they adapted in North America.

• Have each group sketch a facade for a Baroque church, considering the aesthetic and symbolic elements we discussed.

• At the end, each group will present their work, explaining their aesthetic and symbolic choices based on their study of the Baroque and local cultural influences.

Activity 2 - Baroque Masters in Miniature

> Duration: (50 - 60 minutes)

- Objective: Develop skills in construction and artistic representation within a Baroque context, exploring the spirituality and aesthetics of the era.

- Description: Students, in teams of up to five, will create models of Baroque altars. They will use materials such as cardboard, fabrics, paints, and small figures representing saints or religious scenes. The goal is to capture the decorative richness and drama typical of the Baroque while adapting techniques for a smaller scale without losing detail.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of no more than five.

• Provide necessary materials like cardboard, fabrics, paints, and small figures.

• Discuss the decorative and symbolic aspects of Baroque altars.

• Encourage students to construct a model of a Baroque altar, focusing on ornamental and symbolic details.

• Groups will present their models, detailing their artistic choices and how Baroque influenced their designs.

Activity 3 - Baroque Detectives: Deciphering Artistic Messages

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance students' understanding of symbolism and artistic techniques in Baroque art while developing critical analysis skills and oral communication.

- Description: In this activity, students will become 'Baroque detectives.' Working in groups of up to five, they will analyze reproductions of Baroque artworks to uncover the symbolism and meaning within. Each group will present their insights in an 'art conference,' discussing how various elements of the works reflect the religious and political themes of the time.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to five students.

• Distribute reproductions of Baroque artworks to each group.

• Instruct students to assess the visual elements of the artworks and investigate their historical contexts.

• Organize an 'art conference' where each group presents their findings.

• Encourage discussion and exchange of ideas during the presentations.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The goal of this phase is to solidify learning, enabling students to articulate and reflect on the insights gained through their hands-on activities. The group discussion fosters communication and argumentation skills, as well as enriching the students' perspective on the topic at hand. It’s also an opportunity for the teacher to gauge students’ understanding and clarify any uncertainties, ensuring that the learning objectives are met.

Group Discussion

To kick off the group discussion, the teacher should invite each team to share their findings and the creative processes they went through during the activities. It's vital for the teacher to facilitate the discussion, encouraging students to connect their learnings to the practical examples they developed. Suggested questions for the conversation could be: 'What were some of the biggest hurdles in adapting the Baroque style in your projects?' and 'How do you see the influence of Baroque art in today’s art and architecture?' This segment of the class should be dynamic, ensuring every student has the opportunity to participate and share their thoughts.

Key Questions

1. How does Baroque art show up in the creations of the teams, and how were local influences integrated?

2. What key religious symbolisms did you identify in either the works you created or those you analyzed?

3. How can studying Baroque art contribute to a better understanding of the history and culture of the Americas?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion aims to reinforce students' learning, ensuring vital concepts are retained and understood. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of studying Baroque art in the broader cultural and critical development of students, illustrating how this knowledge can be applied in wider contexts. This phase also seeks to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, merging historical, cultural, and artistic discussions from the lesson.

Summary

In closing, the teacher should summarize the key points covered during the lesson, highlighting the aesthetic and symbolic features of the Baroque in both Europe and the Americas. It’s crucial to revisit the defining characteristics of Baroque style, such as theatricality, lavish adornment, and the use of optical illusions, which were clearly evident in our practical activities.

Theory Connection

This lesson bridged the theoretical and practical content studied related to Baroque art, allowing students to use theoretical insights in real-world artistic contexts. Activities like crafting models and designing facades provided a connection between theory and practice, enhancing students' understanding of how art both reflects and shapes society.

Closing

The importance of Baroque art in grasping the history and culture of the Americas and Europe is unmistakable. This style influenced both architectural and decorative aesthetics and played a key role in the spread of religious and political ideologies of the era. By understanding these elements, students gain a richer and more critical view of the world around them while developing a deeper appreciation for art and its storytelling power.