Rythm Mastr

(Click on the images to learn about each of the main characters.)

Meet Stasha and her boyfriend Farell, teenagers who become caught in the violence of their urban neighborhood, and the Rythm Mastr, an elderly man who brings African sculpture to life through his use of traditional drumming.

For the Pages visual arts experience we will explore the artist Kerry James Marshall’s exhibition of Every Beat of My Heart, from the Rythm Mastr series. The story originally in the form of a comic narrative will come to life through contemporary sculpture and the traditional Japanese art form of Bunraku puppetry.

Rythm Mastr

(Click on each image to enlarge and read descriptions)

These images are examples of the kind of traditional African sculptures Kerry James Marshall used as influence for his characters in The Rythm Mastr. Each sculpture has a name and unique characteristics. As you see the images translated in graphic narrative and later through contemporary sculpture and puppetry, think about why Marshall chose these particular sculptures and how the characteristics associated with each influence the personality and actions of the characters in the Rythm Mastr story.

As you consider this, also think of what characteristics you want your own characters to have in your individual graphic narratives. Think about what influences and inspires you in history or in contemporary culture. What elements can you draw from to begin building your story?

Spectropia, good or bad? what do y'all think? Personally, I liked the realism used in the analagies. I felt that T. Dove expressed her feelings about society such as politics and such as our government. What do y'all think?


Tyler F.

Hello Students!

I hope you all enjoyed the Spectropia performance, the Q &A with the artist, and our discussion afterward.
Let's continue the discussion and move into your writing assignment.

Start off by posting what you wrote in your journals as an immediate response or reaction to the experience-and let's all respond to those responses! Then share a list of those emotions that the Spectropia experience evoked in you, and why you think you felt them-we all want to know!

Start thinking (if you haven't already) about your main piece of writng. Will it be fiction or creative nonfiction? Will it be an extension of the Spectropia storyline? Whose perspective will you tell it from- yours? Spectropia? William, Sally the bubble dancer? Toni Dove, the artist? The duck? Spectropia's father? Be creative and share your ideas with your new writing buddies-you shared the same experience, so that gives you the perfect opportunity to learn from each other!

P.S. What you write on the blog will be good material for your first draft...

Any questions? Start posting them!

Joan DeMartin, your writing teacher from the Wexner Center

Spectropia

What did everyone think of Spectropia? Let's continue the discussion.--Dionne

Welcome to Pages!

Welcome to Pages 2007-08. The Pages program pairs literacy and writing with the exploration of contemporary art, film, and the performing arts. This interdisciplinary multi-visit program will offer challenging contemporary arts experiences coupled with in-depth writing opportunities. Each of you will have multiple opportunities throughout the year to discuss, document and respond in writing thoughts, observations, and opinions of what you’ve gained from your experiences at the Wexner Center for the Arts. I hope you're ready because we have an exciting year ahead.

I want to invite you to use this blog as a forum for discussion with other students about the Pages experience this year. We will use this blog to have discussions with the writers, artists, and other students involved with Pages. This forum gives you an opportunity to meet other students and keep in touch while going through this experience together.

I ask that you use this forum responsibly. Please respect any opinions and comments posted on this blog. This is a positive forum to discuss ideas and be a part of a learning community outside of your school. Again, please use this tool responsibly and most of all have fun!

Again welcome and I look forward to meeting and working with each of you.

Dionne Custer

Educator, School Programs

Wexner Center for the Arts