Beatin’ and a-Bangin’: Wooden Shingles
(Preview clips run 30-90 seconds.)
Found On: Spectrum of Art Part 5: Folk/Traditional ArtsLength: 00:04:20
Source: an excerpt from Program 6 of KET’s World of Our Own: Kentucky Folkways
Description:
Appalachian craftsmen William McClure and his son Randy discuss and demonstrate the old-fashioned techniques they use to render, or “rive,” wooden shingles. The shakes they produce using techniques handed down from grandfather to father to son are prized for durability and beauty. Randy McClure carries on the family business, catering to modern homeowners looking for the handcrafted appearance and durability of the shakes. He and his father also discuss the history and future of “riving.”Suggested Uses:
- Use to spark a discussion about the artists’ methods and intentions as well as the creative process in general. Have students create art based on the video and your discussion.
- Use in conjunction with a discussion of the purposes of art. Are functional pieces “art”?
- Use with other excerpts featuring traditional Kentucky arts and crafts to explore these traditions and their significance. (See “A Closer Look at Folk Art” in the “Art & Culture” section of the binder for more information.)
- Find other examples of ancient art forms still practiced today in the Visual Arts Toolkit. Compare and contrast the techniques and methods of these art forms (e.g., “Ironhorse Forge”).
- Use as part of a “careers in the arts” unit or as an introductory activity before an artist-in-residence visits your classroom.
For more information:
(These links may leave the Arts Toolkit.)
About World of Our Own: Kentucky Folkways: