Several weeks ago I drove past a “free
pile” (famous in my area) and threw this old bike into the back of
my car. 5Th graders organized themselves to turn the sad
old bike into “The Art Machine.” They discussed how to decorate
it and who would do what, made a list and set to work. Soon everyone had finished
their self-appointed task, and they were – done. I asked them if
I could offer the bike to 6th grade artists to pick up
where they left off.
The 5th grade group was agreeable to
this with these rules:
- It's ok to embellish areas of color with pattern or other decoration, but no obliterating original work
- No painting under the coiled bike lock cable, because that guards a little patch of the original bike color, which they want to preserve.
So yesterday the first group of 6th
graders started in on it, and I will offer it to another group
tomorrow. The plan is that each grade level will get a crack at it.
Most think of this project as decorating a bike that they will get on and ride away - they do not see this yet as an "object d'art."
Most think of this project as decorating a bike that they will get on and ride away - they do not see this yet as an "object d'art."
I will keep you updated as things go
along.
