The Real Thing – Reproduction Vs Original

Question for Understanding
How is the reproduction different from the original?

Art Making Question
If you haven’t made a drawing since you were a child, or if you are a practicing artist, think about an artwork you once made. What qualities of that work do you think might be difficult to capture in a reproduction?

Objective
Students recognize qualities of original artworks that are not captured in reproductions.

Activity Ideas for All Students
Display poster reproductions of a painting and a sculpture. Explain that these posters are not the actual artworks but are commercial images made from photographs.

Show the DVD segment, “The Real Thing,” asking students to watch for information they can apply to the posters. Give students practice and feedback by using some or all of the interactive “The Real Thing” CD activities, which you can project for an entire class or which individual students can view in a computer lab. Students can use the CD to 1) review what they learned on the DVD, 2) apply what they learned to their everyday visual world, and 3) recognize how one can inquire about reproductions of old or new art.

Display poster, postcard, brochure, newspaper photo, Internet printout or other reproduction of an artwork that is on exhibit locally. Ask students to speculate about what the reproduction might not accurately capture (for example, color, size, surface texture, luminosity, alternative viewpoints, or small details). If possible, arrange for students to visit the local artwork to compare the original with the reproduction.

Activity Ideas Art Students
Display a photograph or photocopy of an artwork that you can conveniently bring to class. Ask students to compare the photograph with the original artwork.

Complementary Activities from Stories of Art
A K-12 curriculum resource from CRIZMAC
The theme, Powerful Families, is based on “Lord of the West,” a story of blossoming love between a young man and woman from very different backgrounds. Readers are invited to imagine the look and feel of the beautiful embroidered ceremonial sash that brings the young people together.

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