AP Road Tested Concepts Visual Language Responding To Our Visual Culture TAEA Conference 2010 Austin, Texas Nicole Brisco NAEA Secondary Western Division Chair School Arts Contributing Editor

How Do You Define Visual Culture? What 3 words do you associate to the language of visual culture? ______________

tudierecognizes the Visual culture studies recognize the predominance of visual forms of media, communication, and information in the postmodern world. How are our AP students using these concepts to communicate through the art making process? How are these visual language skills used to develop the AP portfolio?

Communication Taking information from our visual world and translating this through personal message. Communication tends to be the most personally relevant and meaningful to students. It is a response to how they view their visual culture.

Media A response to mass media and the bombardment of imagery and information. Students tend to be connected to this form of visual culture but not personally vested.

Information The visual documentation of our environment, society, or visual experiences. Students tend to have little or no personal connection to this form of visual culture.

Creating a Concentration Build concentrations by combining small ideas into big topics. Help put these practices in place for your students early on by teaching strategies on how to respond to their visual culture. Communication – Personal Choices Media – Internet Pathways Information – Community Architecture My concentration utilizes self portraiture to illustrates the choices and decisions I have made. By utilizing urban plans, mazes, and architectural design I will communicate the complexity of life’s decisions.