GETTING ART OUT OF THE DARK

RECYCLED ART HISTORY SLIDE LAMPS

GETTING ART OUT OF THE DARK

RECYCLED ART HISTORY SLIDE LAMPS

By Melissa Guarino
Big idea: Throughout time and across cultures, humans reuse and repurpose items
to create new objects and works of art.
Ceramics and Crafts Grades 9-12
4 sessions 80 minutes

OVERVIEW
Students will craft a lamp shade using 35mm art history slides and aluminum wire.
Art history slides are an artifact of art education that teachers may have in storage
since they have been replaced by technology. Long gone are the days of slide
projector presentations in a darkened classroom. The students will connect with art
history by researching three artworks that they find in their collection of slides.
They will also practice painting techniques and wire manipulation, craftsmanship
and creative problem solving as they transform their slides into a decorative lamp.
The lamps for this lesson have been donated by IKEA of Conshohoken, Pa.
LESSON RATIONALE
Students will develop awareness of how ordinary items that may have been
discarded, can be re imagined and reused to create a new purpose. They will
exercise their analytical skills as well as craft skills as they design their lamp. They
will develop their fine motor skills by creating wire jump rings and assembling their
lamp. They will make design choices as they develop the arrangement of their
slides and choose the color schemes for their lamps.
KEY CONCEPTS
Reusing items to create new objects is good for the environment.
Humans can find new uses for outdated or obsolete items.
Art can be made by recycled objects
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Why do we recycle?
How has new technology impacted the environment when it replaces old
technology.

How can we reuse items to create crafts or works of art?

PA STATE AND NATIONAL ART STANDARDS
A.

PA Standards for Arts and Humanities

9.1.8.A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works
in the arts
and humanities.
Elements: Color, form/shape, line, space, texture ,value
Principles: Balance, contrast, emphasis/focal point, movement/rhythm
proportion/scale, repetition, unity/harmony
9.1.8.B: Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts
elements and
principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts.
Visual Arts: paint, draw, craft, sculpt, print, design for environment,
communication, multi-media
9.1.8.E: Communicate a unifying theme or point of view through the production of
works in the
arts.
9.2.12.C: Relate works in the arts to varying styles and genre and to the periods in
which they were
created (e.g., Bronze Age, Ming Dynasty, Renaissance, Classical, Modern,
Post-Modern,
Contemporary, Futuristic, others).
B.

National Standards for the Arts:

VA:Cr1.1.8a: Document early stages of the creative process visually and/or verbally
in
traditional or new media
VA:Cr2.1.8a: Demonstrate willingness to experiment, innovate and take risks to
pursue ideas,

forms, and meanings that emerging in the process of art making or

designing.
VA:Cr2.2.Ia: Explain how traditional and non-traditional materials may impact
human health and the
environment and demonstrate safe handling of materials, tools, and
equipment.

OBJECTIVES: THE STUDENTS WILL

Knowledge:
Explore historical works of art by randomly choosing three 35mm slides and
completing a worksheet that requires them to answer research questions about the
works of art.
Understand how the colors of a decorative item enhance an interior by choosing
colors for their lamp that fits within a color scheme.
Skills:
Create an upcycled decorative craft object by reusing 35mm slides to make a
lampshade.
Develop decorative painting skills by learning brush techniques to apply metallic
paint.
Practice assembling parts to create a lampshade by manufacturing wire jump rings
and attaching each slide in a grid pattern using the jump rings.
Dispositions:
Recognize that anyone can reuse objects to create new useful items by recycling old
or outdated materials and technology.
Be aware that almost anything can be reused by creatively thinking about new
purposes.
ASSESSMENT
Pre Assessment:
Students will be assessed by their involvement in discussing their design plans with
the teacher individually.

Formative:
Students will complete a brief research worksheet about three artists that are
included in their slide collection. The worksheet will count as 5 points towards their
lesson grade.
Summative:
The finished lamp will count as evidence of a completed work of art. The lamp will
be assessed by a rubric containing a rating system that evaluates how well the
student assembled the components of the lamp, the uniformity of the jump ring
size, the application of the paint, and the pattern or design of their grid. The project
is worth 50 possible points. The student will also complete The Price is Right
worksheet which helps them calculate a selling price for their lamp. This is worth 5
points of their final grade.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
Day 1
Hook:
At the beginning of the lesson, the student will find a bag at the center of the table.
Inside the bag will be three 35mm slides per student. They will also see a
concealed object at a centralized table. Under a cloth, the teacher will have the
components of their project. The students will be asked to place their hand in the
bag to retrieve three slides. They will be asked to keep these slides aside for the
moment.
After the students have their slides, the teacher will ask the students if they can
identify what a 35mm slide is. The teacher will explain what they are and how they
were uses in teaching students prior to Google and PowerPoint. The teacher will
explain that art history used to be taught in the dark and this project brings art out
of the dark to create an illuminated work of art. The teacher will engage the
students in dialogue of how they can think of ways to reuse, recycle, and upcycle
items that are obsolete or discarded. (10 minutes)
Development:
The teacher will reveal the contents under the cloth and will explain the project to
the students that they will be using the 35mm slides to transform an ordinary lamp
into a work of art. The art history slides can be substituted with personal family
slides if the student has access and permission to use them. This could create a
deep personal connection with the students family history and identity. For the

first demonstration, the teacher will show the students how to create the jump rings
to connect the slides together in a grid like pattern. The students will create their
jump rings by creating two wire coils around a pencil. Once the coils are separated
from the pencil, the student will use wire cutters or scissors to cut down the length
of the coil. The students will place the jump rings in Ziploc bags and will be saved
for assembly. (40-50 minutes)
Once the students have made their jump rings, they may move on to the
assignment for the lesson. The teacher will ask the students to get the three slides
from the beginning of class in front of them. They will be handed the Art History
Slide Show worksheet. The student will use the classroom laptops during class and
their personal device at home to complete the brief research questionnaire. They
may use the remaining time in class to work on the research. This will be due at the
completion of the lesson. (20 minutes)
Close:
The teacher will ask the student if they may have access and permission to use
family archives for the lamp and if so they will need to ask permission to use them
and to bring them to class as soon as possible. They will also be asked to look at
the color scheme in the room that they want the lamp to operate in and come to
class with an idea of what color to use. (4 minutes)

Day 2
Hook:
The students will enter the room to have their IKEA lamp box at their table. The
students will be asked to assemble the lamp without instruction or help from the
teacher. They must follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. (10
minutes)
Development:
Once the lamps have been assembled, the students must determine how many
slides they will need to make their shade. Once that number has been calculated,
student will then peruse the collection of 35mm slides and choose the ones that
they want to incorporate into their design, minus the three slides they are doing the
research on, which will be included in their shade. They will also keep an extra slide
to make a hole punch template. If the student is using family archives, they will
need to gather them for the next class if they have not brought them for this class.
(30 minutes)
The teacher will then show the students how to measure and position the holes on
each slide which will be punched out using a micro hole punch. Each student will

use the extra slide to create a template so that the student may mark all of their
slides before punching four holes, one centered on each side. (35 minutes)
Close:
The students will be handed a Ziploc bag to contain their slides during the
fabrication of their lamp shade. They will be asked write their name on their bag.
The students will store their lamps and their components in their designated cabinet
space. Clean up. (3 minutes)
Day 3
Hook:
Students will be given The Price is Right worksheet. This worksheet will have the
student keep a record of the cost of their supplies and hours needed to complete
the lamp. This will help them think like a craftsperson wishing to sell their item to a
gallery, or retailer such as ETSY. The students will be given a list of supplies needed
so they may search web resources to determine what the cost of each item is. They
will turn the sheet in with a selling price if their lamp at the end of the lesson. (10
minutes)
Development:
The students will punch holes in each one of the slides for their lamp shade. (50-70
minutes) If the student finished their hole punching, they will use the remaining
class time to work on their research worksheet or price worksheet.

Close:
Students will clean up hole punches from area and place their slides in their bags for
next class. They will be reminded that they need to have their colors decided for
next class which will be a painting session. (2 minutes)
Day 4
Hook:
The students will have 5 minutes to use the classroom computer to go on ETSY and
search for handmade lamps. They will need to write down the prices of three lamps
of different price points, one expensive, one mid-range and one inexpensive. Once
they have their prices, they will discuss with the group their choices and prices and
they will argue why they think their lamp choices are worth or not worth their asking
price. (15 minutes)
Development:

Teacher will conduct a painting demonstration that teaches dry the brushing
techniques needed for the metallic paint application. (5 minutes)
Students will paint the base coat of acrylic paint onto each slide. The students will
have a board under their workspace, where they will place their slides for drying.
(45-55 minutes)
If the students complete the basecoat, they may proceed to the metallic paint coat.
Close:
Students will store their slides on their boards for the next class. Students will be
reminded that they will have 1- 2 more classes to hand in their worksheets and to
finish their lamps. (Extra day to be determined.)
Day 5
Hook:
The teacher will demo how to assemble the slides using the jump rings. The demo
will also include how to attach the slide grid to the lampshade frame. (10 minutes)
Development:
Students will assemble their slide grids with the jump rings made earlier. Once the
grid is made, they will then attach the grid to the lamp shade frame. Once they
have finished their lamp, they will use the calculations of their price worksheet to
make a price tag for their lamp using a cut piece of paper and string. They will
attach the price tag to the base of their lamp. This will finish their project. (50-60
minutes)
Close:
The teacher will plug in the lamps and illuminate them in a lighting ceremony. If the
teacher has access to a sound board with a drum roll, have it prepared for the
lighting. The teacher will turn off the lights in the room and then have the students
turn on their lamps for the class to enjoy. The students will be given permission to
photograph their illuminated work of art using their smartphone or device. Students
will be encouraged to share their lamp on the schools social media pages. This
concludes the lesson.
TEACHER PREPARATION
Create Old School, Art History Slide Show worksheet
Create The Price is Right worksheet
Gather collection of art history slides

Solicit lamp donations from a retailer such as IKEA

SUPPLIES
35mm art history or family archive slides (40-60 per student)
Aluminum wire
Acrylic paint
Metallic paint: gold, silver, copper
Paint brushes
Lamp with shade
Vellum or thick white paper
Scissors
Wire cutter
Needle nose pliers
Micro hole punch
Pencil
Light bulb
Ziploc bags
Mat board

RUBRIC FOR ART HISTORY SLIDE LAMP

NAME/SECTION:_______________________

Outstanding
10
Sides were
painted
evenly. No
streaks.
Paint covers
printed
lettering.
Slides were
arranged to
enhance
the
aesthetic
quality of
the lamp.
Jumps rings
are

Good
9

Average
8

Needs
Improveme
nt 7

Unacceptable
Incomplete
6

uniform.
Slides have
holes
punched
evenly.
Student
connects
slides with
jump rings
that are
closed.
Total:
Art History Slide Show worksheet complete? Yes____________ No -5
points____________
Pricing and price tag worksheet complete? Yes_________ No -5 points____________
Comments:_________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___

GRADE:
PRICING CALCULATION SHEET FOR ART HISTORY SLIDE
LAMP

Wire:_______________
Slides:______________
Lamp:______________
Paint:______________
Wire Cutter:_________

Paint Brush:_________
TIME SPENT TO CREATE:_______________X____________/Hr.

ADD UP YOUR SUPPLIES AND LABOR COSTS, AND THEN MULTIPLY BY

2.5. THIS WILL GIVE YOU A RETAIL VALUE OF YOUR LAMP! MAKE A
PRICE TAG.
Your price is on the front and your name is on the back. Attach it to
your lamp with a string.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOURE A CRAFTING SUPERSTAR!