Happy New Year!

This reminds me of the students that chose to do chain reaction kinetic sculptures for their final project in Sculpture I this term.
Happy New Year, Everyone! May you greet 2014 with a heart full of gratitude, a generous spirit, an innovative mind, and a strong work ethic!
Best Wishes,
"Miz" Rapp

2014 MDS - Happy new year from MDSimulation on Vimeo.

Sacred

When the new Colorado Visual Arts Standards came out a few years ago, I noticed something entirely new. One of the standards was created for teachers to inform students about sacred objects, symbols, and rituals. Specifically, an artist has a duty to avoid using imagery that other cultures hold sacred. "Analyze the reasons to avoid replication, interpretation, or illustration of images and/or icons that are culturally sensitive (e.g., kachina, dolls, Navajo sand paintings...)" I have always been interested in other cultures, and it was very enlightening to learn about the importance of these sacred objects.
If you are interested in learning more, please read this article by NPR:
What part of sacred don't you understand?

Cyclique: Art Installation

CYCLIQUE (short version) from NOhista on Vimeo.

Student Work!

Student Work!

Here is a kinetic, chain reaction sculpture by a group in Sculpture I. I'm glad that the students chose to include their problem solving steps in the video. Great job, guys!

Student Work!

Life is precious

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world."
~ From The World According to Mister Rogers

"Don't try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough."
~ Arthur Freed

New Student Work!