Impure Drawings & Ket Aesthetics

Week 2 

                         This week gave me an insight into how sex is viewed in art education elementary settings. It also made me think about what my actions would be if I ever have this type of dilemma going on in my class. From past experience and new information discussed and read in class, I believe that as elementary educators, we shouldn't provide sexual content in our lessons. Instead, we should keep books and other materials available for students in case they are interested in the subject. Following my past teacher's example, I would only allow a handful of students who I believe are mature enough to handle looking at that type of material without giggling or joking about it. I know that it'll be a missed opportunity for the other students not allowed to view the material but I think that by choosing a few, it'll make the others reflect. Students not chosen to view this type of material will have the opportunity to reflect why they weren't chosen. I found it very interesting how children think it is shameful or not correct to draw such images. A quote that stood out to me was “I suppose that by keeping this aspect of their drawing underground, they have successfully obscured an important dimension of child art.” (pg 54).As an educator, I don't think it's a good idea for us to change their opinion around but we should make it clear that it is acceptable to draw anything in art. It's solely their decision and they can decide whether or not they want to be mature about it.        
                      Another issue I was interested in was the power adults have over children culture. Something that I've always wondered is how adults test certain cartoons they want to air for children. What makes them believe children will find it appealing? As educators, I think it's a good idea to be knowledgeable of contemporary cartoons or aspects that children are drawn to. We could use them as a way of bonding with them and making them aware that we are also interested in what they are. We shouldn't bash anything they like into a "Ket-Aesthetic" without learning why they like it in the first place. I believe that there is more to children's likes/interests than we believe there is. Also after the class discussion, some students brought up the point that so much media might be causing children to not challenge themselves as they should to imagine and create. This is evident in the art work we were shown in class. Some students decided to draw based on things they've already seen in TV even going as far as to try and duplicate several characters. I didn't see this as a problem. I saw it rather as a opportunity to sharpen their artistic skills. 

                         The image above is an example of what my little sister used to watch before she was 5 years of age. I sat down several times with her to watch this show. I recognized that many of the actors in this kid show were actually comedians whose main focus in acting has nothing to do with children. Instead of being freaked out about it, I went along with it and let her watch this show. Until this day, I have not regretted my decision because I feel like I gave my sister her personal freedom. Because she knew that her interests were welcome, she now explores her creativity more freely. As educators, we must be aware that children also have their personal interests. In the art field, they should all be welcome as long as we give them the option of expanding creatively as well.