Fall 2021
Classroom Teacher: Josh Kleiman
Teaching-Artist: Ari Torii
Students at The U School focused on the theme of identity through a cyanotype project. After learning the history of the cyanotype process and how it is used in contemporary art, students experimented with techniques that increased their understanding of the process. They created hand-drawn value scales on transparency film to understand the inversion of tones in cyanotype printing. They worked together to take the photographs that would be used to make cyanotype prints. For a generation that is very familiar with the practices of taking selfies, this project gave students a chance to think about what it means to create a self-portrait that has layers of stories, meanings and/or purpose. Students were given many opportunities to personalize a photograph of themselves through poses, lighting, and photo editing, and some students even created collaborative portraits that spoke to the strength of their friendships.