Art students explore photography, recreate iconic art

Between designing lab procedures in science, thinking of new methods to solve a problem in math, or crafting poems in English, creativity is a beneficial trait for students.

Throughout the year, students in art class at Lind-Ritzville High School (LRHS) have been fostering their creativity and searching for new mediums to express their imagination.

Their latest unit in photography saw students working individually or in groups to select and recreate iconic photographs.

The pictures needed to be instantly recognizable, while altered slightly to match their personalities.

Angalina Vallone, art teacher at LRHS, explained there were two objectives behind the project.

“I wanted to expose students to art, masterpieces and iconic images, in a fun way. Most art history is done through lecture and things that students tend to find tedious. Having to find a masterpiece or iconic image exposed students to the art of the masters while giving them creative license to let their personality shine.”

“The second part of the project was to show students the art didn’t have to be paint or markers or canvas or pencils on paper,” Vallone continued.

“Art is just truly creative expression, and I wanted to give students an art form that they could take outside of my classroom and use in their everyday lives. I’m always seeing students taking pictures on their phones, and I wanted to show them that their hobby could be extremely creative.”

Each student had a slightly different inspiration behind his or her work.

“I knew I wanted to do something that stood out... ‘Cherubs from the Sistine Madonna’ (by Sanzio Raphael) is a painting that I know people recognize, but cannot name,” student Megan Buriak explained.

“The picture that Rachel and I took is an exact opposite, featuring us as demons instead of angels.”

Rachel Schell, who worked with Buriak on the same picture, added, “This project really showed me the creative side of photography. It’s not just about capturing a moment, it’s about creating a moment how you want it to be.”

Students chose a wide variety of images to recreate.

Vallone explained, “I was so excited to see the pictures they were using. Students used everything from Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’ to the Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ album cover, and iconic images of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. I even had students doing sculptures, Van Goghs, and even some classic advertisements like the Jolly Green Giant or Rosie the Riveter.”

“I think what drew me to the painting I chose is what the girl represented in the painting,” said Tessa Jantz, who recreated Vladamir Volegov’s “Tea and Plums”.

Jantz continued, “She resembled me to some extent because of the calm presence she showed.”

Overall, the students learned a way to express themselves that they can continue to do out of class.

Vallone concluded, “Photography is a true art form… Real art should be emotional and impact people. In today’s fast-paced world, a photograph can capture so much and our smart phones make it easier and easier to take photographs on the spot.

“Out of all the techniques and skills in art this year, I truly believe that learning to take creative photographs will be the one skill most of my students will take with them into their lives.”

“Photography is life put into art,” Schell added. “You can see things in regular life that you wouldn’t normally notice.”