VTS II WEEK 7 Read and Reflect

Mural detail, PF Chang's

 This semester I have fallen into the habit of reading the assigned chapter or article and then thinking about it all week. This week it was the opening sentence of  Barrett’s writing “About Art Interpretations for Art Education” that has resonated with me loud and clear. “…I have come to believe that the most important thing I do as an art educator is to involve people in the interpretation of art.” What a profound statement, and you know what? I believe I feel the same way. What a radical change for an art teacher who, not more than a year ago, only used fine art examples in my lessons occasionally, and almost never in a manner which involved students making interpretations! When I did invite interpretation it involved the use of a prescribed method, which, as Barrett says have the disadvantage of simplifying complex material.

The 17 Principles of art interpretation go hand-in-hand, or would it be more apt to say ‘eye-to-eye,’ with the learner centered, meaning making VTS discussion. Barrett and Housen are in complete agreement that the act of interpreting an artwork involves thinking and telling.

Multiple interpretations and Controversial Art gave me more pause for thought. To me, controversial art is like having a sore spot in your mouth. You know it’s going to hurt when you put your tongue there, but you just can’t help but go there anyway. If I am repulsed by an encounter with controversial art, it is easy to turn my head and block out any response. However, eventually, no matter how hard I try not to, I will consider it again, just to see if it still makes me feel the same way. I appreciated Barrett including the written responses to Serrano’s Piss Christ. It was easier for me to understand my own beliefs after taking in the interpretations of others.

At the beginning of VTS I Mary predicted that class participants would become VTS missionaries, going forth and spreading the good news of VTS with the world. I’m afraid I’ve taken it to another level. I now see myself as a VTS junkie, always jonesing for my next VTS fix. Friends will attest that quite recently after lunch, to the delight of two and the dismay of another, I conducted an impromptu VTS session on the panoramic mural at the Kansas City Plaza’s PF Chang.

Meaning making, isn’t that what life is all about?