Picasso and Guernica

Click on image to view large picture.

GO TO
Introduction ~ Task ~ Process ~ Resources ~ Evaluation ~ Conclusion ~ Teacher Notes ~
Discussion Questions Worksheet ~ Art Studio Project ~ e-mail

At the end of the 2nd Republic, Nationalists led by Francisco Franco, took control of Spain. He bombed an innocent town, killing hundreds of people and damaging over 700 dwellings. This town was GUERNICA!

You are a member of a team assigned to discover the secrets of Guernica.

THE EVENT & THE PAINTING

Back to Top

TASK

Your team is assigned the task of researching and presenting information on a specific topic concerning “GUERNICA ~ The event & the painting”

Background Information on Picasso
Picasso's Styles
Guernica the Event
Guernica the Painting
Modern Forms of Protest and Propaganda

Back to Top

PROCESS
Decide as a team the area of investigation you would like to tackle. Your choices are:

A. Background Information on Pablo Picasso (His early life, family history, personality, his start as an artist, etc.). Boring facts are not permitted! Picasso's life is full of interesting stuff.

B. Picasso's Artistic Styles. Picasso was continually developing new ways of expressing himself. His styles included his Rose, Blue, Cubist, Surrealistic periods and more. Find out how Picasso developed as an artist and what people thought about his art and the artist.

C. Guernica the Event. A fire that lasted three days, destroyed 721 dwellings and was labeled a “terrible mistake” by the aggressors. Discover the secrets behind this tragic event during Spain's Civil War.

D. Guernica the Painting. Picasso was living in France when he heard of the Guernica Tragedy. Guernica became the focal point of the Spanish pavilion at the Paris World's Fair in 1937. Discover the symbolism (hidden meanings) of this gigantic work of art. Be sure to include details about the creation of the painting. What did critics say? Where is it now and why? There is even said to be hidden images in Guernica. Can you find them?

E. Propaganda and Protest. Our modern times are filled with images of this nature. Ever since the 50s & 60s songs, art, literature and films that make a statement have become common place. What are some of the images (and the reasoning behind them) in our modern world?

Remember you are to present your discoveries to the world. Dig deep for details and interesting facts. Thoroughness is the key. Chose a visually interesting way to present your findings. For example a HyperStudio or Power Point presentation, a mobile or roll movie or even a illustrated book. BE CREATIVE!!

RESOURCES

Internet Resources
http://www.emory.edu/PHILOSOPHY/ART/guernica.html	Prof. Patterson's Guernica Home Page
http://members.aol.com/MrDonnUnits/Propaganda.html	Propaganda Techniques
http://www.tamu.edu/mocl/picasso	Online Picasso Project
http://www.yahooligans.com	Search word Picasso
http://sunsite.unc.edu/wm/paint	WebMuseum, Paris ~ Cubism
http://indigo1.biop.ox.ac.uk/graham/guernika_comm.txt	Text only on the history of Guernica
http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/a_nav/guernica_nav/main_guerfrm.html	PBS Treasures of the World - Guernica

Print Resources
Barker, P.C. (1987). Short lessons in art history. Maine: J. Weston Walch, Publishers.
Gilbert, R. & McCarter, W. (1985). Living with art. New York: Alfred A. Knoph, Publisher.
Hunter, S. & Jacobus, J. (1985). Modern art. New York: Harry T. Abrams.
Robinson, W. (1995). Instant art history. New York: Byron Preiss Visual Publishers.
Stassinopoulos Huffington, Arianna. Picasso: Creator and Destroyer.
Thomas, D. (1981). Picasso and his art. Illinois: Book Value International.

Laser discs & CD's
The Mystery of Picasso. Samuel Goldwyn Home Entertainment, Vestron Video, 1982. 77 minutes.
National Gallery of Art ~ A Treasury of Masterpieces. Videodisc Publications, Inc. 1983. 50 minutes.
Microsoft Encarta 98 (1993-1997). [Computer program]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft.

EVALUATION

Distinguished

Proficient

Intermediate

Novice

CONTENT

Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented

Sufficient information that relates to topic; many good, interesting points made.

The information is lacking in presentation. Some facts but not adequate or interesting.

Information poorly researched. No evidence of thought into presentation content.

ORGANIZATION

Presentation well thought out and developed; flowed smoothly; showed group members took the time to practice.

Presentation went well; with a little more effort would have been excellent; may have had a few slow spot

Content and ideas appears hastily put together. Lacks flow,

Clearly unorganized; slows lack of time spent on presentation.

CREATIVITY

Very original presentation of material; uses eye catching visuals; captures audience's attention

Some originality apparent; good variety and use of visuals.

Presentation was hastily put together. Shows lack of originality; may have copied ideas.

Little or no creativity used in presentation.

GROUP WORK

Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented

Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented

Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented

Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented

AUDIENCE RESPONSE

Involved the audience in the presentation; points made in creative way; held the audience's attention throughout

Presented facts with some flare; lost the audience's attention at times.

Audience was engaged in the beginning but lost interest.

Audience lost interest; presenters may have not taken presentation seriously. Had a "I don't care attitude.

POINTS

5

4

3

2

Add points given for each category. (Content; Organization; Creativity; Group Work; Audience Response)

GRADING SCALE

A
25-23

B
22-18

C
17-14

D
13-10

F
9-below

For individual evaluation see Discussion Questions Worksheet
Click here if you need Adobe Acrobat Reader

CONCLUSION
1. Who was Picasso?

2. Why was he so famous?

3. What were his different styles?

4. What is Cubism?

5. Where did the name originate?

6. How did Guernica come to be painted?

7. What does it express?

8. Picasso was known to be “apolitical” what do you think that means?

9. Why do you think he was concerned enough about Guernica the event to create Guernica the painting?

10. How did Picasso's form of peaceful protest create such an impact on the world?

11. Is this form of protest worthwhile, better than protest with force?

Please leave me feedback :>)

GO TO
Introduction ~ Task ~ Process ~ Resources ~ Evaluation ~ Conclusion ~ Teacher Notes ~
Discussion Questions Worksheet ~ Art Studio Project ~ e-mail

	Distinguished	Proficient	Intermediate	Novice
CONTENT	Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented	Sufficient information that relates to topic; many good, interesting points made.	The information is lacking in presentation. Some facts but not adequate or interesting.	Information poorly researched. No evidence of thought into presentation content.
ORGANIZATION	Presentation well thought out and developed; flowed smoothly; showed group members took the time to practice.	Presentation went well; with a little more effort would have been excellent; may have had a few slow spot	Content and ideas appears hastily put together. Lacks flow,	Clearly unorganized; slows lack of time spent on presentation.
CREATIVITY	Very original presentation of material; uses eye catching visuals; captures audience's attention	Some originality apparent; good variety and use of visuals.	Presentation was hastily put together. Shows lack of originality; may have copied ideas.	Little or no creativity used in presentation.
GROUP WORK	Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented	Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented	Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented	Abundance of material clearly related to topic. Interesting facts and information presented
AUDIENCE RESPONSE	Involved the audience in the presentation; points made in creative way; held the audience's attention throughout	Presented facts with some flare; lost the audience's attention at times.	Audience was engaged in the beginning but lost interest.	Audience lost interest; presenters may have not taken presentation seriously. Had a "I don't care attitude.
POINTS	5	4	3	2