Box with the Sound of Its Own Making Robert Morris, 1961
The
1961 conceptual work by Robert Morris, Box
with the Sound of Its Own Making has always been a favorite. It is a humble
and beautifully made wood box that contains a three and one half hour recording
of the sounds while the box was being produced. The notion that artwork both contains and resonates a
process that is at once fabulous and daily is beautiful. Entering into the work of the
school year I am reminded of Robert Morris’ 1961 piece. It is relevant. Steps, plans, materials, learning
targets, discussions, reflections and all of the daily process and all spaces between
that go into the labor we and our students enter into each day.

1st
grade painting
Student work contains its own making. Often I tell my students that when they
are 40 years old they will still have this or that artwork they
have produced. We all have a good laugh at the thought of ever being that old and
move on to passing out the artwork. What I don't say, and would love to be
there when they discover the artwork when they are 40 or 50 … is, they will not
only have the artwork but they will also have the experience of making of the
work.

3rd
grade clay works
Perhaps
the way the room was lit by the daylight, or the sound of the music in the
studio classroom or the overlay of other students’ voices as they worked,
maybe the sound of a brayer loaded with ink, or the smell of the clay or the plasticity
of acrylic paint. Art making is experiential – it is how it really feels to create a 'something' that
is the center of understanding and true learning. When they look at
the piece on their counter top, or find it in the back of their
closet when they are moving for the 100th time in their adult life they
will find the experience resonating from the artwork. Within the memory of the
experience, the learning and the making are still alive. This is a lasting gift to our
students.

6th
grade Altered Books
Art
is a quiet possible activity that we are lead toward and seek after. Art is
already ours to follow and discover. It is about entertainment only in the way
that our minds are filled and puzzled and challenged. This is different. And
this is good.
It
is important that we as art educators keep this in mind. Keep track of our
greater purpose. The process of creativity and art making is timeless. In the
timelessness, there are daily actions and discoveries, which come to resonate
within each artwork. Each student creates works with their sounds of their own
making. This is different. And this is good.
Also posted in CAEA Collage Magazing 2013
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