In The Classroom

Face Time

Using the "facetime" app, one can make video/audio calls over Wi-Fi from one iphone/ipad/ipod or Mac to someone else's.

That's exactly what I did this week as I connected with a high school class in New Jersey ( a "few" miles from Portland, OR).   I received a "Visit Our Class" invitation from an art teacher-a request for me to share an "assemblage" lesson with her students.  A flight from Oregon to N.J. (with the turbulence, bad food, small economy seats, etc.) is really not a dream vacation (although a good way to accumulate "miles"). So, through the  magic of Apple's Face Time we were able to connect in a much easier fashion with me sitting (comfortably) at my studio work table here in Oregon-my ipad air on a stand facing me...and N.J. teacher, Joey Carradori, in her classroom with her students, watching me from a laptop with a projected screen image. Wi-Fi technology at its best! I could see and hear them...they could see and hear me!  What a great way to collaborate over the thousands of miles!

This is my ipad (with a view of the N.J. classroom) from here at my home during our visit:

In New Jersey...their view of me:

During this hour, my visit was fairly simple: I shared a little bit about my own background, we talked about the assemblage artist, Joseph Cornell, and I demonstrated a few techniques that work for me in the construction of my own assemblages.  Yes, the hour went by quickly.  I'm hoping for a Face Time invitation to go back into their classroom when they have all completed their own individual assemblage pieces.  I'd like to possibly highlight some of their work here on my blog...stay tuned!
So, folks, it appears we may have some young, new assemblage artists in the making...woohoo!!