The history of manuscripts and books
(Paula Lange)
Purpose
Students are to complete an art history research task as well as a practical task of creating their own artist book.
Description
This project has been designed for a Year 9 Art class to complete over the period of a school term. Students are to become familiar with books in an historical context and books as objects of art in their own right. Through research they will also be exposed to the idea of early books as precious objects and containers of religious information. When creating their own artists' books, they will be encouraged to be innovative and creative in their approach.
Resources
James Hardie Library of Australian Fine Arts, Artists' Books Collection: available at the new State Library of Queensland at South Bank.
Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) sourcebook modules:
- Artists' books ( Levels 4 and 5 of the Visual Arts Strand in the Years 1 to 10 The Arts Syllabus) [new window http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs1to10/kla/arts/docs/modules/va_45_ab.pdf]
Books:
- Brown, P 1980, The book of Kells, Thames and Hudson, Dublin
- Feliciano, K 1999, Making memory books, Rockport, USA
Websites:
- Queensland Studies Authority: Years 1 to10 - The Arts [new window http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs1to10/kla/arts/index.html]
- State Library of Queensland: Artists' Books
- State Library of Queensland: Artists' Book Digital Collection
- List of websites about the history of books and illuminated manuscripts [new window 21 kb
].
Software: Microsoft PowerPoint
Hardware: Computer, Data projector
Procedure
Note: Some of the links listed below require a password to access the Education Queensland website. Password information can be found at [new window http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/curriculum_exchange/about/passwords.html ]
This unit comprises two parts:
Part A - a research assignment
- Teacher introduces this part with the History of manuscripts and books. [new window 44 kb
]
This topic complements the pre-modern era studied during Year 9. (Due to copyright requirements, teachers will need to add their own images to this PowerPoint.) - Teacher reads through the Art History: Research Task sheet [new window 56 kb ] with students to ensure they thoroughly understand what is required. Students then follow instructions on the task sheet to carry out research to answer questions.
Part B - the practical task
- Teacher introduces this part with the Artist Books presentation. [new window 195 kb ]
This shows different ways artists' books have been presented and gives students an image of what they will be working towards. (Due to copyright requirements, teachers will need to add their own images to this document.) - Teacher reads through the Making Task sheet [new window 61 kb ] with students to ensure they thoroughly understand what is required. Students use these suggestions to complete the practical task. This task sheet is designed so as to not be too specific with instructions to students in order to give them scope to accommodate their own choices and to display their creativity.
In order to complete these tasks successfully, students will require the ability to use:
- a variety of painting and drawing techniques
- a range of art materials
- the internet for art history research
Assessment
Part A - Art History: Research Task [new window http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/tips/docs/02506/history.doc ]Students conduct research about the history of manuscripts and books.
Part B - Making Task [new window http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/tips/docs/02506/prac-task.doc ]
Students create their own artist book.
Learning outcomes
The Arts: Visual Arts Strand
- VA 5.1a: Students make images and objects to express personal responses to researched ideas
- VA 5.1b: Students research and experiment with ideas to document sensory responses to developmental processes in making
- VA 5.2: Students research and analyse the images and objects of artists/designers/craftspeople to construct visual responses for display
- VA 5.3: students research and evaluate images and objects of Australian artists/designers/craftspeople from a variety of historical and contemporary contexts
Last updated: 6th September 2007
Creatively linking Queenslanders to information, knowledge and each other
