MD!

Hello from Maryland

https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EVE202103-WS1-for-Hokusai-Slow-Looking_FA.pdf

Can I ask why you would provide the worksheet to students after they had observed the image (rather than ask students to write things about the image while they are doing the looking)?

Thank you for your question, Sherwood. Faylinda will address this at the end of her presentation.

I see the link as a pdf file. How does one record our thoughts?

HI Sally. You can record your thoughts on a separate piece of paper.

Thanks

Woodblock of a figure perched on a tree contemplating the scene while playing a musical instrument during Spring.

I was amazed at how I continued to noticed new things as time progressed. going back areas multiple times there was more each time.

I noticed how everything seems designed to flow. The softened edges of that snow on the peak seems to echo the river’s direction. It makes me interpret it as snow melt and runoff

I think a message of the painting speaks of nature’s elements of power and calm. and the artist used balance: distance/near, temperature of cold/warmth, age of mtn. vs. the youth

Theme: Meditation on the beauty of art and the wold.

I feel the serenity and majesty of nature appreciated by a boy pausing to notice

world

The figure is playing to the silent mt. The water was musical rhythem and the tree elevates the flute player to be a bird.

I notice that you don't provide any background on the art, so I assume that you don't want students to have that. My students will want to go straight to Wikipedia to get the standard line on the art (sometimes using Google's reverse image-search). Do you tell students specifically not to do that? How would the background inflect their experience of the art?

I can hear the flute music the boy is playing, the water flowing in the stream

I was perplexed by the repeating image under the tree

I thought the young boy? was fishing

The innocence of a youthful observation of the beauty of nature and child’s perspective and meditative feelings

I think the black part in the sky is just a cloud, not smoke from Mt. Fuji.

It is a very zen painting on my view.

I saw it as a cloud too

I see a man looking at the mountains with an scene of warriors.

Message: Balance between mt. in the background, tree in the foreground, figure balanced on the tree, old age of mt. and youth of figure.

The students will gain more from the lack of a 'face' on which focus.

I wonder what he is playing as he gazes a such a wondrous scene

The powerful lines of the mountain is the starting point for other formal decisions. The bank and the cascading water mirror the right side of the mountain. The tree trunk follows along the left side of the mountain in curve and counter curve.

The experience of the painting is very different if you access an image that allows you to pick up more detail (if we could see the figure more clearly, we would see the flute more sharply, for example, which I had trouble seeing in the image that we got)

When you first look at the painting it is just a beautiful picture then the more you observe the pairing the more details you recognize, then the third stage was you get into the stage of a peaceful mind of the artist. Then I started transform myself into the painting.

A notably small moment in time, a small person dwarfed by the scene, yet the capacity to consciously observe is vast

Is it possible to send us the image so we can zoom in? Or is there a way to do it on Zoom?

totally different! cheers

a Jocker ?

Cooked lobster color

water color

red

charcoal, reds

tans, red, browns

red gray black cream

Red black brown tans

grey and black, red and orange

Cinnabar?

sumi ink

yes cooked lobster!lol

The red has a strong presenc

I think he used only black ink and red ink.

different shades of brown

Orange seems to convey fire & dark grey in form of a stormy cloud or smoke

White or light coming for below

heat, explosion, dread

embattlement, emergence, chaos

ominous and yet his face is musing

and calm

Powerful

knotty problems

Movement

ferocity

I feel compassion toward the figure. Look at his face. It is not hatred.

theatrical image of devil and opposite of prior print

Was the paper already framed with the silk border or mounted later?

intensity

Also somewhat yin yang feel

storminess

feelings come from image rather than the color

Energy of the creature, something superhuman with the hovering. The “wave

those red lines seem like projectiles or rays. they go through the figure’s arm and cloth

swirling and straight

Two red lines piercing the belly

juxtaposition of curvilinear and jagged angular lines

curling, slanting and thin, upward, downward

Lines give feeling of turbulence & anger

Flying, in charge, controling

very intentional

Some short lines in each hand ( are they drum sticks)

movement preparing to enter an abyss

The straight lines firing form direct directions within the explosion add to the disorder

strong diaganols in figure and amorphous shapes in background

FLOATING is suggested by the circular arcs

menacing straight red lines

convey motion and flight

Feeling scare

Curvy lines created in garment

Heavy of muscle, light of cloth

background and foreground are at odds

the lines of the seal are the most simple and straightforward lines in the whole thing

The shading, angling of ribbons suggests motion, disorder, movement

Top half of the fame is very dense , in contrast to the emptiness of the bottom half

gnarly body, tattered clothing, soft yet ominous clouds

One arm seems to create curve other is more straight angle

Compositionally, top half of the frame is very dense with colors and form, in contrast to the emptiness of the bottom half

I’m noticing how a center of gravity goes to the lighter shading of his belly to anchor the figure

Seems like a god of thunder and lightning

the paler red on the face and abdomen may indicate vulnerabilities

If it weren’t for Hokusai’s seal at the bottom half, the whole composition would be off balanced.

Shapes are very 3 dimensional giving fierceness & movement

It's interesting to look at the shape of the black clouds then white clouds - each evoke a different feeling in me

Nice, Jenny!

the curve of the spiral shadow and the curve of the upper arm seem to balance each other

Curved somewhat flower like shape behind back of figure? Not sure what that is?

is he diving into a white cloud from a dark area or its a light background with dark clouds....I saw it differently like he is about to leap down and in

the signature is unusual

The tail-like shape of the cloud

Contrast between circularity and movements of figure in clouds

an umbrella, parachute?

Active shapes and textures, combined and contrasted with the impression of emptiness, make me wonder about the intention of the figure as the figure encounters this situation

Shapes are intertwining

The “S” curve composition is alluding to the Taoist yin-Yang symbol, same as Hokusai’s symbol for himself in his signature.

the figure reminds me of lava and the signature reminds me of a fountain

Nature Spirit in motion with Spiral of Life

I wonder what will happen next

There’s a storm coming?

The ribbon shape fabric on the top of the figure seems shows stronger wind blow than the “ribbon” around the legs of the figure.

The heavy shape on the top right corner balanced with the emptiness on the bottom left. It looks like the figure is flying down from heaven.

Source of light is coming from below the “demon”, it’s coming from Hokusai’s signature which the demon is looking at.

Hello, could you repeat the reference for the analysis categories. Thank you

this calming because the character is on our side, a protector

Nathalie, I like that “question!” Definitely tones, angle, position indicates that whatever is below is SUBJECT to what the figure will impart

Ribbon of fabric over the leg is half yin yang

I wonder if there was European influence here- because of similarity to Zeus who evolved into Christian art and also in the Creation of Adam….

his belly looks like the drum

I now see “drumsticks” instead of “blades”

Now notice drum sticks

Looks like a man and like a god.

I see the self reference - the Thunder God looking at Hokusai’s signature, which is the source of light in this painting.

No wonder he looks kind. He is Hokusai.

Yes the story explains that the figure is in the sky, explains the cloud

Yes and no— that’s the beauty of this exercise. Letting us interpret and question and critical think on our own

the tail in the cloud now becomes a tornado about to be unleashed

Wow, I LOVE that this is now suggesting SOUND as well as fury!

He walked from his home to was it Edo when he was very old, his feet are showing that experience

Does the artist see himself as closer to heaven

what kind of characters are involved in the signature?

Do you ever play music evocative of the work of art during the discussion?

This exercise shows me how to use wait time and collaborative observation/analysis/sharing. I ALWAYS get more out of the comments of others with opportunities that Faylinda helps others learn. SLOW LOOKING- YES!

Thank you for your question, Marilyn, about the characters on the Thunder god painting. I forgot to mention that the signature states man mad about painting. Hokusai's favorite medium was painting.

https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/teachers/getting-started-with-primary-sources/documents/Analyzing_Primary_Sources.pdf

I like the activity from a teaching history perspective as well!

HI Lisa. Thank you for your question about music. When I share the Thunder god with students, I often show a video of taiko drummers.

Slow looking and sketching could be used with photographs also, both newspaper, textbook and persona.

I appreciate Faylinda pointing out that slow looking is meeting the TIMES we’re in with our students online.

personal, especially for ancetry exploration

Do you have student comment with just their thoughts or elements of art getting addressed

has this been done with something more science-y - like looking at a figure or graph or table?

could you talk about the history of slow looking—how it was developed?

Yes, so the boy seeing volcano / volcano seeing boy was painted while Japan was isolated from the wider world . . .

This might be a good resource on slow looking: http://www.pz.harvard.edu/resources/slow-looking-the-art-and-practice-of-learning-through-observation

How common is this practice?

Therapeutic to slow look. I appreciate this PLATFORM to COLLABORATIVELY slow look and appreciate out loud. So I’m curious if the Freer or other art museums are offering more mornings like THIS to bring folks together for the shared experience. Now that the nation is ZOOMING as never before, it unleashes some more possibilities.

Got it! Google “slow looking!” Thanks!

I am curious if you have companion lesson plans or extension activities like pigments, Japanese nationalism, European-Japanese-Mainland Korea/China contact & influence? Geography & local vs global resources and their impact on paintings? You probably know about the Harvard Museums pigment collection and podcast feature- I was thinking about that when observing the colors. Really great presentation. I’m glad that I took the time to be here and to make subtle and more dynamic works of Hokusai a priority.

Another source: Shari Tishman’s book: Slow Looking: the Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation

Faylinda, I really really appreciate your calm patient demeanor - it is really a well developed skill to be this grounded and to put - as someone above put it- wait time first alongside introspection. Wow. Thank you- you managed to captivate with clear cues and instructions and a well facilitated experience.

Most artwork does not allow for touching, so I’m curious if there is the opportunity for persons with visual impairment issues the option to slow connection with touch ? Some painting have textures. When I was young I recall touching a print (in my home) that had raised ink marks. Can someone touch printing plates?

Explore the Freer and Sackler’s Hokusai website: https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/hokusai-mad-about-painting/

Crystal Bridges ‘touching tours’ have created prints with added texture to some of their paintings.

Thanks for this reference: https://harvardartmuseums.org/tour/a-history-of-color-an-audio-tour-of-the-forbes-pigment-collection

Today’s Hokusai and Slow Looking Lesson Plan: https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EVE202103-LP-Hokusai-and-Slow-Looking_FA.pdf

This has been wonderful!

Hokusai and Slow Looking Worksheet: https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EVE202103-WS1-for-Hokusai-Slow-Looking_FA.pdf

Thanks for a marvelous program. I love the zoom feature to highlight details of the works of art.

Faylinda’s work of art – Boy Viewing Mount Fuji: https://asia.si.edu/object/F1898.110/Jenn’s work of art – Thunder God: https://asia.si.edu/object/F1900.47/

Question about the Boy playing the flute, are the horizontal lines of the picture the damage from rolling the scroll?

You’re welcome in re Harvard Museums pigment exhibit! Also, Josetsu is an interesting keyword- that gourd is famous.

Explore the Freer and Sackler’s Hokusai website: https://asia.si.edu/exhibition/hokusai-mad-about-painting/

Thank you for all of this it was very informative and of great benefit for me and my teaching going forward

Thank you for today!

Today’s Hokusai and Slow Looking Lesson Plan: https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EVE202103-LP-Hokusai-and-Slow-Looking_FA.pdfHokusai and Slow Looking Worksheet: https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EVE202103-WS1-for-Hokusai-Slow-Looking_FA.pdf

The Asian Art Museum has one of the best education sites in the country. Thank you!

This is wonderful, I would like to attend more art classes like this. Are there any classes like art appreciation or workshop like this offered by Freer or other art museums ?

Amazing session! Thank you!

Very good. thanks

Hi Janet - we will share that information with you in few minutes!

School programs are completely virtual this school year. Check out our virtual K-12 field trip options: https://asia.si.edu/visit/live-online-learning-programs/

Thank You!!!!!

My students have participated i a Freer field trip virtually and they loved it along with learning deeply.

AWESOME web site from Freer! THANK YOU! People probably know this, but you can “download” the chat to gather the web addresses shared. Look next to where you type comments… FILE or the (three dots) menu. I don’t believe the chat is every saved in the RECORDING of the program.

Thank you for that Margaret!

“Teaching China with the Smithsonian.” Teaching China was designed for educators in grades 5-12 for language arts, social studies, and visual arts content areas: https://www.asia.si.edu/teachingchina

Fantastic workshop! Thank you so much Jenn, Faylinda and BooBee!

These resources/sharings are some of the BEST things that have come out of the pandemic, RIGHT? Bless your good work!

I'm grateful for this workshop too!

Share your reflective thoughts and responses here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s8-jyhZ5xTTPU5I1mr3NOVa1FCQRM9eNOedcIXBLTLc/edit?usp=sharing

Appreciate your “Teaching China” program; a way to counter bias against Asians so much more prevalent these days.

Thank you! This was a very insightful session.

Excellent, very informative & inspirational lessons on slow looking with Hokusai at Freer with you.Thank you so much

Can the field trip tour conducted in Chinese for some Chinese learners ?

Share your reflective thoughts and responses here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s8-jyhZ5xTTPU5I1mr3NOVa1FCQRM9eNOedcIXBLTLc/edit?usp=sharing

Question about the Boy and Fuji, are the horizontal lines the damage by rolling the scroll?

A huge treat - thank you so much!

this was wonderful, thank you.

Thank you for joining us for this workshop today! Please take a minute to fill out this short survey and let us know your thoughts about today’s virtual teacher workshop: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5740202/Virtual-Teacher-Workshops-FY20-Survey

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Thank you for this experience today!

Thank you very much ! Kind regards from Romania.

This is great! Congratulations on such a successful workshop!

Stay tuned for future teacher PD workshops at the Freer and Sackler Galleries! Next one is on May 18th: https://asia.si.edu/learn/for-educators/professional-development/Stay safe everyone!

Thank you very much. From France!

thanks. regards from Mumbai.

Thank you for this wonderful approach to perception

Great workshop, thank you! Regards from Austria!

Amazing! Thank you and very inspired by this educational slow looking technique.

Congratulations and THANK YOU for today’s work and the follow-on resources. What lovely teamwork and expertise to share with us educators. Thanks to all participants, too!

Thank you very much. Looking forward to have more art programs in the future.