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Megan Theep

Art 133

Unit Paper 2

21 September 2017

Power and Visual Culture

Being able to analyze the visual culture that surrounds us is a powerful asset to learn and

is important to teach students of all ages. Using the method of denotations and connotations,

learners of all ages can successfully decipher the many messages circulating in the images and

objects of visual culture when given the opportunity and strategies (Barrett, 2003). Three

different ways to approach visual culture in the classroom are radical change from art education

to visual culture education, applied artists and their art, and comprehensive art education

(Hurwitz & Day, 2007). Applying visual culture to art education is an important way to teach

young people of all ages how to interpret the world around them.

In my classroom, I would consider combining the ideas of applied artists and their arts

and radical change in art education. I think it is important for young people to learn different

ways they can make their art a career, such as with graphic design or drawing, but I would also

like to implement the ideas of social reconstruction that promotes democracy, liberty and justice.

I believe that teaching both of these ideas together would give the students a well-rounded way

to look at the world and the ability to apply their ideas to their art. Teaching this way will better

prepare the students to recognize political and commercial agendas, as well as give them options

of careers in the art world.

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References

Barrett, T. (2003). Interpreting visual culture. Art Education, 56(2), 6-12.

Hurwitz, A., & Day, M. (2007). Children and their art: Methods for the elementary school, (8th

ed.). Thompson Wadsworth.