Experiential activities

As with props, experiential activities activate other senses. After choosing your artworks for the tour, consider providing a couple opportunities for movement and sound activities. Experiential activities do not need to be complicated. As mentioned, they can be as simple as having students strike a pose they see reflected in an artwork. Following are some examples of activities observed or shared.

Students are fascinated by all the objects on Nick Cave’s Soundsuit (View in Mia’s collection) (fig. 23). Have each student focus on one part of the soundsuit and think of what that part would sound like. Then at the count of three, have everyone voice their sound.

Set up a tableau for a multi-figure narrative work, such as Gerrit van Honthorst’s The Denial of St. Peter (View in Mia’s collection) (fig. 24). The rest of the group may act as “directors,” having the actors reflect what is happening in the painting. Kids especially love to get involved in setting the scene.

At van Gogh’s Olive Trees (View in Mia’s collection) (fig. 14), have the students think of what insects, creatures, or sounds (e.g., wind through the leaves) may have been present in the summer landscape as he was painting. Have a sound for each element and assign students to each sound. Then at the count of three, have a chorus. That brings the painting to life!

Nick Cave, 1959, Soundsuit, 2010, metal, wood, plastic, pigments, cotton and acrylic fibers, Gift of funds from Alida Messinger, © Nick Cave and Jack Shainman Gallery, NY

fullscreen Figure 23

fullscreen Figure 24

fullscreen Figure 14