WebQuest:

ROMARE BEARDEN

INTRODUCTION

Romare Bearden lived from 1911-1988. His life’s work earned him great success. His peers have said that he was an incredibly intelligent man who loved art, literature and music. He is known for his unique style of art that was made famous during the Harlem Renaissance. His interests were some of his greatest inspirations.

Romare Bearden was influenced by music, his experiences and his culture. His art is heavily influenced by the jazz music he loved so deeply. He listened to it while he created his art.

3 Folk Musicians, 1967

“I listened for hours to recordings of Earl Hines at the piano. Finally, I was able to block out the melody and concentrate on the silences between the motes. I found this was very helpful to me in the placement of objects in my paintings and collages. Jazz has shown me ways of achieving artistic structures that are personal to me.”
-Romare Bearden

Click, Look and Listen

Everyday life in Harlem was also a source of inspiration for Romare Bearden. He worked as a social worker for about 30 years. During this time, he was a ble to get a honest representation of the people of Harlem.

Card Players, 1982

New York City is the birthplace of several artistic movements that have changed the way we look at art. One such movement was the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance lasted from the 1920’s to the mid 1930’s. During this time, African American writers, artists, and musicians gained international recognition. It was the first time in American history that African American art was taken seriously. This was also the time period when jazz music began gaining recognition throughout the country. Jazz originally developed in New Orleans, Louisiana and combines both European and African components.




TASK

The student will be able to experience the creative process used by Romare Brearden during the Harlem Renaissance. They will create their own music-inspired composition using collage techniques. The finished product will reflect the student’s interpretation of their own personal influences.

How do you make a collage or what is a collage, you ask?




PROCESS

Review these websites:
Read this article.
Collage art (click on at least 10 titles to view)

the Harlem Renaissance was...
Explore.

Bluer than Blue, 1981

Answer the following questions:
What genre of music did Romare Bearden use to inspire his art?
How did it affect his art?
Can you see the musical influence when you look at his work?
If so, where? How do you know?




Think of your own personal musical taste.
What kind of music affects you?
(Play it while you brainstorm.)
How does it affect you emotionally? (Laughter? Tears? Etc.)
As you branstorm, jot down notes to keep in mind:
Think about where you like to be while you listen to your music. (outside, in your room, lost in your thoughts, etc.)
What colors come to mind? Shapes?
What did Romare Bearden use to interpret his music and how can you translate those techniques into your own style?

Collect materials to assemble a collage.
Think outside the box if you wish. (magazines, foil, lace, screen, or 3D objects may be used)

Play the same music choice the whole time you create your collage.
Lightly sketch your composition on your paper before you begin.
Begin cutting, arranging and attaching pieces to create your collage.




EVALUATION

Each student will earn their score based on the following aspects of their performance:

-completion of assignment
-effort demonstrated
-content, organization, and originality
-neatness and craftsmanship in all aspects of work




CONCLUSION

Internet navigation and utilization is a valuable resource to enrich the learning process.

Upon completion of this WebQuest has given you background knowledge of the Harlem Renaissance and exposed you to a major contributor to African American art history. You have also experienced a technique used by a famous artist, and have created an original piece of art inspired by that experience.

My hope is that you have learned about the art-making process and will continue your research independently! ☺


CREDITS

MET Museum of Art- Look and Listen: Romare Bearden
Bearden Foundation- Biography
Romare Bearden Foundation HomePage
NPR- Article on Romare Bearden
More on the Harlem Renaissance
How to Collage