Street Art: Perception vs. Reality Julien Beever Street Art: Perception vs. Reality

Julien Beever creates unusual chalk drawings on public sidewalks Julien Beever creates unusual chalk drawings on public sidewalks. Beever started drawing pavement art as a way to make money while traveling. Since then, he has garnered international recognition. Beever chooses to draw on sidewalks so that everyone can have access to his art. He says, “My work appeals literally to the man and woman in the street and is not confined in galleries.” Setting a Purpose: Beever has developed a special technique of using distortion to unequally magnify images in his work. When seen from one special angle, these images come together to create the illusion that his “anamorphic” drawings are truly three dimensional. Viewed this way, his drawings seem to come to life. Beever’s pavement art gives viewers the impression that they are entering a very real, physical place that exists in the drawings. As you view the drawings, think about that it would be like to be a passerby who suddenly walk across– or into— one of Beever’s works.

A Slight Accident in a Railway Station Question 1: In what two ways did the artist fool your eyes in this chalk drawing? Hint: Think setting and character. As you view… Artists make choices about the works they produce and the techniques they use to create those works. Perspective is the technique that artists use to give the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface, which in Beever’s case is the sidewalk. One way that Beever creates this illusion is through his use of lines. Beever uses thick and thin as well as long and short lines to frame the stairway in the drawing. Notice how the lines make the stairs look thinner the farther away they seem to get from the viewer.

Meeting Mr. Frog Question 2: How does the artist create the illusion of movement in this chalk drawing? (Hint: look at the water). As you view… In addition to lines, Beever uses colors and shadows to create the illusion that we are seeing something real. Artists can use color to create mood and to create images that imitate life. Notice how the colors Beever uses at the top of the frog seem brighter or lighter. He uses shadows or shading at the bottom of the drawing where the frog sits on the lily pad. Color and shadow work together to give the whole image a sense of shape and depth.

Question 3: What did the artist do to create the perception that the butterfly is flying and not just sitting on the sidewalk?

Question 4: What is the purpose of this chalk drawing? Explain your answer. (Hint: Refer to notes on author’s purpose for help.)

Question 5: In 3-4 sentences, describe what is happening in this chalk drawing.

Question 6: What do these last two pictures of Julien Beever’s art tell you about how the perception of depth (three dimensions) is created in the artist’s pieces?

Honors Enrichment Assignment Research Julien Beever’s art online and choose one drawing that interests you. Copy the drawing onto a google slide and complete the following: Write a paragraph that analyzes the chalk art drawing you have chosen. You must discuss artistic style such as color, shadow, line, etc. Then explain how this artwork changes the perception of the viewer (fools the eye). Finally, include a personal reaction to the artwork. Share the slide with me