The American Gothic
Watch the video about the classic American painting, The American Gothic
Comment on the video in the assignment comments on google classroom. What do you like about the artwork. What do you think is the message of the work, or what is the artist trying to say to the viewer? What makes the work unique or original?
Project
You have probably seen the two people in American Gothic before. They have appeared on TV, in posters, on T-shirts, etc. In ads they wear sunglasses, hold other objects like guitars, and more. Sometimes they are used in editorial cartoons with famous political faces.
Who are they? They are the subjects found in a famous painting by American artist Grant Wood. He like to paint pictures of rural American countrysides as he remembered them growing up. He would sometimes show farms and farmers. In the painting “American Gothic” he used his sister Nan and his dentist as the models for the painting. He has painted them as a depiction of American life in the early 20th century. Notice the repetition of pitchfork designs in the picture. How many can you find?
Directions:
Create a modern day update of “American Gothic” using the same format or placement of people, objects and background. However, update the picture so it depicts a modern day couple with a modern day background. Your design must include a structure in the background, must be a couple facing forward, and one of the figures should be holding something. Also, color it neatly.
Reflection
Create a google doc and answer the following questions about your scream project. Each question should be a minimum of one 5 sentence paragraph.
In what ways is your art similar to early expressionists like Edvard Munch? How is it Different?
What parts of your artwork are successful, (what do you like best about it)?
What do you think you could improve about your project or do differently?.