Women, Design, Art and Humor: Implications for K12 Teaching Sheri Klein PhD, MFA October 20, 2016 Art Education Presentation California State University, Sacramento Contact: kleinsheri353@gmail.com

Intersection of humor and Interior spaces Product Design Intersection of humor and art Implications for humor in art & design in K12 teaching

Within the fields of design, design often tends to focus on the ‘serious’ aim of practicality and usefulness. Humor isn’t a priority aim in most of design, but we do find it as a component in contemporary design associated with personal and residential spaces, and handheld and everyday objects. Designed objects or spaces due fall into the category of visual humor--created with intent by an artist or designer to amuse and that results in responses of laughter, smiling, etc.

Merill Mason-women’s Bathroom @ Kohler Art Center

Preschool bathroom, Children’s Studio, Kohler Art Center, WI

Women's Bathroom, Kohler, Cynthia Consentino 2005

Product Design and Puns Silk curtains Nicholette Brunklaus Louise Campbell

Chair with cover 2001 Florence Doleac Right: Popcorn wallpaper and carpet 2006

Ana Mir, hair (wig) necklace The line between those who work in design and studio art tend to blur as works considered design appear now in art museums, and artful designs appear in interiors (bathrooms), and as wearable art. Ana Mir, hair (wig) necklace

Humor, Women and Art  Women artists (associated within the studio arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, etc) have used many forms of humor, but in particular, are drawn to parody, satire and irony to speak about personal, cultural, political issues.

Comic Liberation……This article (and concept) is about the potential of humorous art works to engage, enrage, educate, challenge our beliefs and disrupt our thinking about art and humor in limited ways…..and in ways that can liberate us from limitations about self, and others.

Kay Walkingstick work from series Talking Leaves, 1994 Her work embraces satire, gender humor and ethnic humor. Kay Walkingstick work from series Talking Leaves, 1994

Aline Kominsky Crumb Alex Bag Her works utilize gender humor, parody, satire, ethnic humor, and self-deprecating humor. known for her technically simple videos that address the entertainment industry and its various formats, but also the art system….romantic notions of the artist’s life, and she subjects these sources to humorous treatment.” http://www.teamgal.com/artists/alex_bag/exhibitions/233/alex_bag Alex Bag

Main forms of humor: parody, pun, satire, paradox and irony. You can create these forms of visual humor through techniques of exaggeration, appropriation, disguise, hybridization of form, juxtaposition of incongruous ideas, materials and/or forms. Contemporary art and design are places to begin to look for examples. Examples of art and design by women provide opportunities to talk with students about gender and humor, and other intersecting issues and forms of humor.

Considerations for integrating humor on art and design into K12 curriculum: Valuing humor and having a sense of humor is critical. Expand your understanding about humor. Collect humorous images and objects. Consider student population/culture and community context

Extensions: Curriculum/Lessons applicable for elementary art education Self-portrait: confronting stereotyping with humor (satire and irony) Sheri Klein, Portrait Series, 2016 Create a humorous bathroom using concepts of paradoxical humor

Turn watercolor paper horizontally 8.5” (h) x 11” (w) watercolor paper STEPS MATERIALS NEEDED Turn watercolor paper horizontally 8.5” (h) x 11” (w) watercolor paper Find vertical center and mark lightly with pencil Ruler Pencil Add your quote in pencil on either the left or right side of the paper Eraser Trace quote with Sharpie, and erase pencil marks Sharpie Watercolor pencils Add color to quote portion of artwork using watercolor pencils, paintbrushes, and water Water cups Draw complementary self-portrait in pencil; add Sharpie over outline, if desired; erase pencil marks Paintbrushes Add color to drawing portion of artwork using watercolor pencils, paintbrushes, and water; work from background to middle ground to foreground