Lesson Ten - Art and TED

Today we will speak about art, laugh a little and test our memory.

1. Google the names of the following artists and pictures of their works to find answers to the questions below:

Donald Baechler, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, Niki de Saint Phalle, Keith Haring, Jasper Johns, Vincent van Gogh, Rene Magritte, Meret Oppenheim, Georges Seurat, Jackson Pollock, Pieter Bruegel

·         Which of them are modern artists? When were they born? What are their nationalities?

·         What do their works have in common?

·         Do you like their works? What do you like or dislike about them?

2. You are going to watch a video by Ursus Wehrli. Read the synopsis of the video below and tell what you expect to see in the video.

Comedian and cabaret artist Ursus Wehrli is on a crusade to tidy up art and shares his vision for a cleaner, more organized form of art -- by deconstructing the paintings of modern masters into their component pieces, sorted by color and size.

3. Now watch the video at  http://www.ted.com/talks/ursus_wehrli_tidies_up_art.html

4. Put the pictures Ursus Wehrli discussed in the order they appeared in his speech:

•         “advanced” picture
•         untitled
•         fur cup
•         practicing with a ruler
•     apples
•         a guy looking at the mess of squares
•         the village square
•         a picture by Jackson Pollock
•         multicoloured squares
•         a woman playing volleyball
•         a picture of a room by Vincent van Gogh
•         a few lines and shapes on yellow background
•         pointillism movement

5.Discuss the following questions in small groups:

·         How can Wehrli’s statistical analysis of a picture help the painter?

·         Why do you think Wehrli changes pictures in his way? What is the meaning of his actions?

·         Do you believe that colours and shapes artists used for their works really matter?

·         Do you agree with Wehrli that it’s better if “it's more economical and also more efficient”?

·         Would you buy Wehrli’s book? Give your reasons.

6. Comment on the following quotation:

“Even behaving in an orderly, systematic way can sometimes lead to complete chaos.”

At home

1.      Search TED for a video of your taste, embed one in your blog,  write why you would like your groupmates to watch it and also offer three questions about this video you would like your groupmates write you about.

2.      Visit three groupmates’ blogs, watch videos they recommend and answer their questions.