Asia Education Foundation

Visual Haiku

cover image: Arts/Media Unit: Visual Haiku

Students will discover, adapt and present elements of traditional Japanese haiku poetry in non-traditional ways. They will develop ‘visual haiku’ – incorporating imagery and text to interpret and represent a haiku poem. In developing this visual haiku, students may use digital cameras (moving and/or still), electronic imaging software and traditional art-making techniques to construct a series of images. Sounds may also be used. Discussions about how art forms convey beliefs and values form an important part of this unit.

 


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Activities 3-4

Activity 3: Designing the artwork

Following the previous activity, the students should have some idea about how to commence designing and developing their artwork. Have the students generate possible imagery through drawing, photographing, and/or making collage and documenting this in their visual journal. As they develop their ideas, experiment with related media, materials, techniques and processes, they should consider the format for the final work.

Remind the students that their finished artwork may be:

  • a photograph or series of photos
  • staged or candid photos
  • printed on paper
  • a projection (using a data projector or overhead projector)
  • a series presented on PowerPoint
  • an electronic collage or montage
  • abstract or realistic
  • a photograph that is drawn and/or painted over, and contains text, sound and/or music.

Activity 4: Experimenting and exploring artworks

The following is a list of possible approaches that could be taken in the development of the artworks. The experimentation indicated and the relevant research should be initially teacher-led and be informed by teacher and student experience and confidence. Support the students to refine their ideas for their artworks by:

  • experimenting through reworking existing images by drawing/painting over the surfaces or by printing photographs on unexpected surfaces (acetate, fabric, etc)
  • researching, documenting and evaluating the work of traditional and contemporary art styles or artists whose works incorporate text into their work, including Chinese calligraphy
  • examining and experimenting with the basics of photography (composition, light, exposure, focus, etc)
  • practising photographing relevant subject matter with digital cameras
  • leading relevant activities to develop skills using Photoshop™
  • gathering imagery through photography, scanning existing or new images, collage, montage, etc (eg draw an image and scan it in to be incorporated into a digital platform).