While working with all this technology, I realised that some technology becomes obsolete. Sometimes very quickly. I introduced the idea of an art project using and recycling materials using ‘old’ technology to the year 9/10 studio art class. While brainstorming ideas for the large scale outdoors project one of the students mentioned their love of children’s books and their favorite: The Rainbow Fish. The students decided that this would be a good theme to draw together, and interest both primary and secondary students within the school. My brain began to race, how can I fit this in within the recycling materials boundary I had set, and make an attractive large scale artwork for the benefit of the school? What can we possibly use to create the look of the original illustrations and remain true to the originality of the student’s artwork as well? Then it dawned on me! Compact Disks! They would make lovely rainbow fish-scales and use up a load of obsolete, not working cd’s in the school and as it turned out in the wider community. We are still working on the fish but we will soon have a whole ‘school’ of them swimming up high on a wall to brighten up an otherwise dull space. Watch this space to see the progress.
(above) Stage one and two of one of the fish.
Another of the ‘school’ nearing completion, we are discovering that the tails need to be reinforced somehow, so they won’t weaken and possibly fall off. Serious problem solving is required combined with working alongside the students in systems technology. In the top left hand of the above image it is possible to see the fishes eye being worked on before it is attached permanently.
Just a few more details now and this little fish will be finished. Isn’t she cute?
The group that made this fish decided to emphasise the eyes by creating eyelashes
and a eyelid. They trialled various media and methods before settling on this version.
Bright pink fishlips add to the effect. A few more details to be added and the fish face will be complete
Four of the complete fish. Very beautiful and shiny. All of the design problems have been resolved and the students are excited and pleased to have them complete. We are currently trying to hang them in the designated spot as a “school”.
D Regan Hawkesdale P -12
This is inspirational Denise and I am thrilled to see you posting here. We will get you signed in to the Web 2.0 Telegraph and the Hawkesdale Blog so that we can have duplicate copies in all of these places and ‘catch’ (scuse the pun) more readers.
That would be awesome Heather! The students have worked really hard on these, It would be great to see the work out in the big wide world.
Love your work Denise and it will be great to see it displayed in our school grounds. It is good to see that our old cds are being to a good purpose.
The updated photographs highlight just what a fabulous art project this is Denise. I do love the impact of the eyelashes.
Wow Denise, these fish look sensational. Congratulations to both you and your hard working students. The CD’s look brilliant – very shiny and exactly like the rainbow fish. Can’t wait to see the “fin”ished product.
I am a uni student that is due to graduate at end of next year… I love that there is a forum globally available to see and recognise what teachers are doing and to get ideas from. Did you recycle this project to a childcare centre/daycare ceiling or a theatre so that it is used beyond the term display? It would make awesome props for a play using the story or a tale from the little mermaide or something… just an idea… not qualified yet – just throwing it out there 🙂
Hi Tracey,
Isn’t this forum fantastic? Its a great thing to be a part of.
To answer your question: No, I havnt recycled this project at this stage. But you are right the fish would make wonderful props for a play and it would also be ideal as a platform for junior students and pre schoolers. The planning incorporated the idea that this is a P12 school and the younger members of our school community be taken into account when constructing large scale artworks. And thanks for ‘throwing’ it out there to me. You have given me a whole lot of other things to think about. 🙂