exploring the relationship between botany and photography . . .
When I wake up in the mornin’, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And somethin’ without warnin’, love Bears heavy on my mind
Then I look at you And the world’s alright with me
Just one look at you And I know it’s gonna be
A lovely day -Bill Withers
In 2011 and 2012, Project HOPE Art explored the relationship between food and illustration. We drew fresh fruit in season and visualized our perfect dinner plate filled with all of our favorite foods. Eventually we created a cookbook of children’s recipes and drawings.
Our exploring takes us back a step or two, from a micro view to a macro stance. We will delve into the natural world around us and how to capture small moments in time. Botany and Photography, and on a larger scale Biology and Art will be explored throughout the coming years.
Project HOPE Art offers a studio environment where students can work on digital, analog, electronic and alternative media art projects. Students in our new after-school program will create experimental multimedia works. A variety of conceptual, formal, and performance-based approaches to the medium will be explored over the course of each year long program. Topics include Storytelling, Printmaking: digital, lithography and woodcut, Synesthesias, PhotoJournalism, Visual Music, Color Theory, Film Soundtracks, Creating: Mobile, Illuminated, and Responsive Works of Art and The Relationship between Biology and Art.
To come with us on our adventure, we have opened up an opportunity for digital media artists. Apply here
To follow along at home, you may create your own solar photographs through our Art Sponsor Dick Blick Arts.
“Make fascinating white-on-blue prints from natural or man-made materials. Just place flat objects (leaves, flowers, insects, lace, jewelry, etc.) on the sun-sensitive paper, expose the materials to the sun, and create photo-montage images.
No inks, presses, photo equipment, darkroom, or chemical processes are needed. Prints develop in tap water in seconds. Fun for any age group.”
The Smithsonian also has a variety of programs exploring Botany and Art. You may download their lesson plans here
