Manufactured Landscape—Printmaking
SCHOOL PROGRAM LESSON PLAN – 10 to 12
Manufactured Landscape—Printmaking
Final Project Description:
A copper-plate etching and three prints illustrating students’ views about the effects of human industry on the landscape.
Description:
The “manufactured landscape” has long been a focal point in Edward Burtynsky’s work. Although he maintains that his images do not reflect a specific political statement, they often evoke strong responses from their viewers. We can find many examples in our own landscape that bear the mark of human intervention. Using the proposed Ajax mine as a starting point, students will discuss their views in small groups. Each student will then create their own copper plate etching that expresses their ideas through the use of imagery and text, and pull three prints.
Theory (taken from the BC Curriculum PLOs)
Students will:
· Manipulate and justify selection of visual elements and principles of art and design in order to alter the meaning or effect of images and achieve a specific emotional response
· Develop knowledge and use of processes and techniques for drawing and printmaking.
· Assess environmental challenges facing Canadians.
Workshop Duration: 60 minutes
In Studio: 10 mins for discussion, 5 minutes for demonstration, 40 minutes on project, 5 mins for wrap up and possible discussion or look at other’s work to end class.
Prep:
· Set up a demo station in the centre of the room
· Set up each student’s station with the necessary materials (listed below)
· Set up the printmaking press, blotting paper and inking stations and drying rack
· Set up the projector or computer to display KGHM and KAPA websites
Materials:
2x3” copper plate
Drypoint needle
3 x 4x6” pieces of Stonehenge paper
Scrap paper
Pencil
Water bucket filled with 2” of lukewarm water
Akua ink
Wiping cloths
Before students begin, make sure they write their name on the back of their work.
Discussion:
End the exhibition tour at Burtynsky’s Nickel Tailings #6. Lead into a discussion about the proposed Ajax mine as you walk back to the studio. Use the projector or computer to display information from the KGHM Ajax and StopAjax websites.
Remember that you are presenting information, not selling a viewpoint. The goal is for the students to engage in discussion and questioning to come to their own opinions.
(from the Ajax mine site)
Project Description: KGHM International Ltd. is working towards the development of the Ajax Project. The proposal consists of an open-pit mine located on the historic Ajax-Afton mine site, which has seen a range of exploration and extraction from small-scale mine operations to the development of an open-pit operation under Teck Resources Ltd. and the Afton Operating Corporation between 1989 and 1997. The project is located on traditional Secwépemc territory near the city limits of Kamloops. The project sits entirely within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).
Project details: Annual production of 109 million pounds of copper and 99,000 ounces of gold
60,000 tonne-per-day (TPD) processing capacity
~20-year mine life
~500 full-time positions ranging from technical, to mining services, health and safety, and administrative.
If approved, the proposed Ajax Mine and processing facilities will employ state-of-the-art mining and environmental protection monitoring technologies.
Environmental Assessment: KGHM International intends to submit its environmental assessment application to the federal and provincial government review agencies by early 2015. A scope of research for this review has been established through extensive discussion with the governmental review bodies and information drawn from the Community Advisory Group (CAG), which represents 16 local interest groups. The environmental assessment application currently has 37 valued components, and KGHM International is working with nearly 25 technical consultants in addition to its strong in-house technical staff to gather and evaluate the data required to submit the application. Once an environmental assessment certificate is granted, 42 permits will also require approval from a variety of federal and provincial government agencies.
(from KAPA)
KGHM AJAX, A MINE TOO CLOSE
The Kamloops Area Preservation Association (KAPA) is not opposed to any economic activity which conforms with the city's promoted image as a healthy place in which to live, surrounded by a beautiful environment. KAPA is opposed to the location of the proposed KGHM Ajax copper/gold mine, a large part of which would be within the Kamloops City limits.
KAPA is opposed to this massive development for the following reasons, and many more:
· it will be a huge, noisy, dusty open pit operation within 1.4 kilometres of the nearest residences, and 2 kilometres from the nearest elementary school.
· within six kilometres, downwind and downslope of the perimeter of the proposed Ajax mine are 8 elementary schools, 4 high schools, 4 senior citizen’s residences, one hospital (Royal Inland), and one university (Thompson Rivers).
· about 90,000 people could be exposed to the toxic dust (containing arsenic, lead, aluminum and much more) which will inevitably blow over the city.
· the use of 15 billion litres of water per year will create haze and fog over the city, and could well increase the water table and land slippage problems at Aberdeen.
· the devastating impact the mine would have on local ranchers, some of whom have lived here for generations.
· the probability of long-term pollution of the Thompson River.
We believe that the long-term economic future of Kamloops does not lie in the development of an open pit mine which, in 23 years, provided copper prices remain high, will close, leaving behind a devastated landscape, a negative impact on airshed quality, a badly damaged tourism industry and ruined ranchers.
**If the AJAX map is in the lobby, ask students to take some time examining it closely**
Demonstration:
Explain and demonstrate the drypoint process to the group. Ask students to think about the material they are using: is it interesting/important/problematic to be using copper when discussing copper mining? Emphasize the importance of reversing any text elements, as the process will create a mirrored image. Keep the demo brief, you can assist students individually as they work.
Creation & Analysis:
Ask students to begin by writing their name on the three pieces of Stonehenge, and to then begin creating a basic sketch of the image for their plate. Ask them to incorporate elements of text and image–remind them that text does not need to be didactic, it can also be symbolic.
Relate the activity back to the exhibition: Edward Burtynsky’s images document and question without romanticizing or indicting. How do the students want their images to read? Do they portray a specific message? Is the message explicit or implied? Continue the discussions as the students work.
Review:
Ask students to look at each other’s work at the end of class to see how other students approached their project. How are they similar? How are they different? What have they learned about printmaking processes? About incorporating political ideas into their art work?
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
http://www.ajaxmine.ca/pdfs/KGHM-International-AJAXProject-MapUpdate.pdf
http://www.stopajaxmine.ca/files/documents/infographics/infographic1.pdf
http://www.stopajaxmine.ca/files/documents/infographics/infographic2.pdf