Exploring Our Utopian and Dystopian Sides through Digital Art

Exploring Our Utopian and Dystopian Sides through Digital Art

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to reflect on your utopian and dystopian sides through digital art, understand the ethical concepts behind AI and face-recognition software, describe your artwork effectively, critique the work of others, and explore artists who have used digital imagery.

What do you already know about digital art and its relationship with utopian and dystopian themes?

Introduction and Explanation

We will explore the concept of our utopian and dystopian sides through arts/creativity and understand the digitalization of personal images/drawings. We'll also discuss the ethics and ethical concepts behind AI/face-recognition software and its impact on art.

Theme/Criteria: 'My Utopian/Dystopian Self'

We will focus on creating digital masks that represent our utopian and dystopian sides. Our artwork/drawings will be used to reflect these aspects of ourselves in an explainable and justifiable way.

Bigging-up AI/Face Recognition

We will discuss the positive outcomes and ethical considerations related to AI and face recognition technology in the context of art. This will help us understand the boundaries and possibilities of using such tools in our creative process.

Digital Art Project

We will explore the use of a 2D 'matrix' face as a framework for our digital masks. Discuss the types of artwork, drawings, or other elements that can be used to create our face of two halves representing our utopian and dystopian sides.

Rationale Behind the Work

The rationale behind this project is to encourage reflection on our utopian and dystopian sides and to justify the artistic choices made in representing ourselves. Students must articulate the meaning behind the selected images/drawings.

Talking About Our Masks

Students will practice describing their masks to the camera for up to one minute. They must consider language use, audience, body language, and effectively convey the essence of their work. Videos will be posted to Dojo/Portfolios.

Looking at Artwork Examples

We will explore the work of artists who have used digital imagery and software to create their art. This will inspire us and provide a broader perspective on the possibilities of digital art.

Next Steps

Explain that when working with Caroline, students will engage in a photography project with Sarah. This will further enhance their understanding and skills in digital art.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.