We started this project by looking at pictures of James Rizzi’s work and focused on the “Happy Rizzi House.” This building is located in Brunswick, Germany. I then show students how to make a 3-D building with tag board (thanks to an art teacher at the MAEA conference). We add windows and doors and discuss design ideas. Students use marker to complete their building. The kids loved this project!
As an extension to this project we wrote letters to Mr. Rizzi. In Germany Mr. Rizzi’s art is used widely in art curriculum.
A couple of days ago I saw another post about these houses at http://barbarasthoughtoftheday.blogspot.com/2010/11/james-rizzi-happy-houses.html
ReplyDeleteThe work she has posted is really adorable.
I'd never heard of James Rizzi before but now I'm hooked!! Thanks for the great post - I love your lesson and James Rizzi is going on my list of artists to teach about next year (I think I'm already overbooked for this year!).
One of the wonderful aspects of using James Rizzi's art for educational projects is that the art is very approachable .... children (as well as grown ups) relate to it... he invites his viewer to come close to the art, to interact, and to touch it... When working with his art, the student is taught that you can't make a mistake... This is a much more positive message than the more traditional "there's a right and wrong way to create art" I just learned that in Germany, there is a school being named after James Rizzi.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your comments. Henry, I had no idea there was a school being named after James Rizzi. I told the kids today about the school and they said they want to move to Germany...haha. I agree with the art approach as well.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I love that building!! After reading your blog I did some research on Rizzi (I didn't know much about him). I am definitely going to introduce him to my classes. It is easy to see why your kids loved the project. Thanks for introducing Rizzi's "Happy House" to me!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! That is too cool!
ReplyDeleteI do a similar lesson using Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser as inspiration. This will be a great way to switch it! Thanks for introducing me to Rizzi's "Happy House"!
ReplyDeleteWow! Love what you have done here. The best part of being an art teacher is learning about artists all the time. Thank you! I will definitely do this with my kids. Anna:)
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