What Does It Mean To Deconstruct?

Teachers deconstruct texts to show students how elements of the art form are combined to create synthesis. This deepens understanding of how artworks are created.

Taking the text apart teachers amplify the way the artist has developed each element of the artwork. The class can examine the way each part has been stitched together to create a synthesis. The synthesis will ammount to more then the sum of the parts, because they interact with each other.

Deconstruction is a Teaching Technique Appropriate for all Genres.

The idea is to

• choose a complex artwork
• locate and name each of the elements combined to create the art piece
• focus deeply on each element looking at the way it has been created
• after working with each element, hone in to look at how they have been combined
• after looking at sub sets of combinations, step back with the class to see how these elements take form as a whole creation
• talk about this interaction as a synthesis

Why We Deconstruct

Deconstruction deepens understanding of the artistic process

• Students gain a more authentic understanding of the way artists create
• The act of creation is simplified in the minds of the students so that they look at complex works of art and realise that they need not be overwhelming to create if the stages of creation are approached one at a time
• It can be a means of introduction to a new unit of work
• Structured understanding of artistic creation helps students break down tasks into manageable parts. This helps them to create a time management plan for their own work.
• Understanding of the way artworks are structured will enable students to develop artworks that are deeper and much more layered
• Students will begin to develop an understanding of layers of meaning
• Groups of creative art students will come to understand how to break down large works into smaller parts so that they can work on a collective project without confusion.