my third grader has a homework assignment that involves researching an artist, creating a collage about that artist, giving a report on the artist's life and then trying to recreate one of his/her pieces of art.
big j claims he chose his artist because calvin (from calvin and hobbes) had talked about him and he recognized the name. the dude's name is paul gauguin, and i'm sure you artsy folks know him. i didn't. he's post-impressionist, and karen knows how i feel about impressionist art. i had to watch her go through her monet phase in college. ahem.
anyway. i was reading through the book last night so i could learn about this guy. and i'm not sure what to think. many of his pieces of art feature topless native women. i KNOW that it is art and the human body is art and all that...but my kid is in third grade. so far, i don't think big j has even looked at the art in the book but i know he read it because he told me about mr. guaguin's tragic artist life. i'm trying not to be wierd about it--it IS art and maybe i just explain that the women he was painting were from south india and they didn't wear clothes there. probably isn't a big deal. right?
i know paul gaugin is an interesting guy, but i kinda wish he would have picked monet....:)
9 Comments:
Dang.
I'm going to have to think on this one and get back to you (once I quit laughing about Monet).
What did Calvin say about him?
7:12 AM
Ok, seriously. Big J does NOT need to see those paintings! It's not like it's just a nude bust, buddy. Those are too sexy, and some of them are just plain weird. Don't do it. Make him pick someone else.
That's my two cents.
9:02 AM
Yikes.
That is my two cents.
Ultimately you know what he can and cannot handle. Use your best judgment.
9:34 AM
I would strongly agree with Karen and Rani!!
If the images were moving, live video would you let him watch?
11:16 AM
apparently, there is a rumor that it was gaugin who actually cut off vincent van gogh's ear in an argument ... apparently, the guy was cocky and he fought with vincent a lot.
you might have j-boy write about that ;)
3:04 PM
If it makes you and/or him uncomfortable then by all means ask for a different artist. Just tell him that as a good mom you were interested in the artist and looked him up and maybe the paintings are for older kids to study and give him some other choices. Too bad Georgia O'Keefe didn't cut someone's ear off, that would be appropriate and exciting! The story of Frieda is actually good to-again a woman though
4:51 PM
i talked to the teacher and she said she had no idea he painted nudies. they will pick a new artist tomorrow. maybe andy warhol? I can handle soup cans. :)
7:26 PM
just the fact that you #1 posted, #2 talked to the teacher... definitely answers your initial question of "should I?" and yay! Andy Warhol!
7:28 PM
Kinda worries me that the teacher didn't do a little more research before she said ok to the artist. Thank goodness you are a good mommy!
8:26 AM
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