Gutierrez !

Victoria Gutierrez

Professor Ward

Art 133-05

21 September 2017

Unit Paper #2

The visual culture is a topic that has been incorporated within daily class discussions in

the art education due to its rapid growth and popularity in todays media. Considering the print

media, magazines, and advertisements, the visual culture has been a way to analyze the meanings

behind commercial imagery (Hurwitz and Day, M). Everyone has his or her own personal

interpretation of visual culture. This allows viewers to unravel the art piece by allowing

themselves to be creative in understanding its actual message. Denotations and connotations are

two terms used in order to define what we literally see in a picture versus the things we are

actually seeing and what they suggest or imply (Barret 6). This idea of visual culture can allow

many learners of all ages to be engaged in the lesson and be able to decipher the message using

their own preference.

Interpreting visual culture is an important concept for students to learn in the classroom.

Along with the understanding and analyzing the different forms of media, students will be able to

understand the cultures around them. Therefore I will incorporate the three approaches to visual

culture in art education in my lesson plan for guidance. I will provide the students with class

activities in order to fulfill the concepts of the visual art. For example, decorating their own

photo album cover or constructing a collage for their binders, etc. The visual culture should be

explained in the classroom to help students to think deeper into what an image means to them.
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In conclusion, the students will be able to enhance their creativity and make connections within

their everyday lives.

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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.