Art and Nature Come Alive....

As we continue to be inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy, earlier in the week, we gathered to discuss how we else we could display and create art with the materials we had been gathering from the outdoors. We were excited to have an Integration meeting on our schedule and looked forward to a discussion with our colleagues about delving deeper into our study.

At our meeting, the suggestion was made to use fishing netting to weave the materials and the net would serve as our 'canvas'. The idea sounded really interesting and we located larger pieces of netting at a local party supply store. We wanted to try to keep in the spirit of Andy Goldsworthy and not use glue or tape to attach materials.

It felt almost magical to see this experience come to life. Our initial plan was to work on the art tables in the art room and use this beautiful space to create art. Within seconds of opening the netting packages, an idea sparked to attach the netting against the glass window directly outside the art room. The energy and creative forces magically took over and with very limited instructions or directions, the children began to weave the natural materials and create art.

The phsyicial aspect of this art installation was something that we had not thought much about or discussed at our planning meetings. Movement was incorporated in a very subtle way. Children were walking, bending, reaching and carrying materials throughout the experience and the physical component was most interesting to observe. We recognized the importance of providing experiences where children can use their bodies, explore spatial relationships and have numerous opportunities to move while working and learning.

The experience allowed the children to collaborate in creative ways. One child was heard asking another child, " Hey , how did you make your pine cone stay?" Without hesitation, the child responded, " Here, here. Let me show you."

This project supported cooperative learning as children became the teachers and helped each other. This open ended, unstructured art experience brought us closer to feeling the relationship between art and nature.