Art Ed: When Painting Meets Music
February 23, 2012
One of the best things about working in a museum is creating fun activities for young visitors. I get to be a kid again!
There’s been many tours given and activities written over the years, but the ones that seem to be the most enjoyed by visitors always include music.
This week we rolled out our most recent music activity: Changing Perspectives. Grade 7/8 students are all seated in front of one artwork, and asked to think of a title for this artwork.
The twist? They get to listen to several music clips, and see how the changing songs may change their perspective on the artwork.
My favourite moments from this past week’s activity: The enthusiasm shown by so many of the participants, their creative responses (such as “Depressing Splendor”, “Let Loose”, “Dreams Gone Bad (homesick)” and “Uphill Journey”, and the fact that I might have created a brand new Pogues fan.
The artwork looked at:
Colour of White, by Betty Goodwin (shown inset, details below)
The music listened to:
“Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO
“Hedwig’s Theme”
“Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin
“Kodo” by the Yoshida Brothers
“Winter” by Vivaldi
“Dirty Old Town” by the Pogues
Which song got the largest reaction?
Absolutely, it was Hedwig’s Theme, the theme song from the Harry Potter movies.
– Teresa Gregorio, Museum Monitor / Information Officer
Image: Betty Goodwin, The Colour of White, 2000, Purchased with funds from the Hatch Bequest, the Adam Sudar Fund, the Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation Trust and the Canada Council, 2004. McMaster Museum of Art Collection.
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