Femme Fatale: Reinventing The Portraits Of An Exhibition

WHAT
This particular workshop was planned round some practical questions:
-    interaction among participants in the making of artwork
-    recreation of the stylistic characteristics of a certain art period
-    reflecting on ourselves when making an self portrait

WHERE
Marble Hall, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest (www.szepmuveszeti.hu). The workshop „Create your own art” was organised by the Education Department of the museum as part of the Museum+ programme which is open to all museum visitors in the evening opening hours.

WHEN
18.00 -21.00 Thursday, 7 October  2010

WHO
Facilitators and staff
Zsófia Tettamanti, Museum Educator
Litza Juhász, Museum Educator

Adult learners
Around 20 individuals, all adults, participated in the workshop.  Most public learners came from middle or upper-middle class backgrounds (the museum charges for admission fee equivalent to the cost of purchasing a ticket to the temporary exhibition) and chose to join the workshop whilst visiting the collections.

WHY
for learners to:
-    enjoy making a portrait or an self portrait
-    create an artwork by adapting the stylistic characteristics of a certain art period (Art Nouveau)
-    experience collaboration in the creative process
-    experience the way the eye works (it can only focus on one thing at a time)

for facilitators to
-    encourage learners to draw portraits: a task which they usually think themselves incapable of
-    create interaction among the participants

HOW
1. The workshop took place along one side of the Marble Hall round four tables placed
together. These were encircled by chairs where learners could sit and work comfortably.
2. The activity was based on the current temporary exhibition entitled: Nuda Veritas. Klimt and the Beginnings of the Viennese Secession. Women’s portraits are a characteristic feature of this period, a great number of them were on display.
3. People were encouraged to draw each other’s portraits using a standing wooden frame that surrounded a transparent sheet to which the drawer would attach a second plastic sheet on which s/he could draw the other person while looking at his/her model.
4. Inspired by the exhibition participants had to colour the drawn portrait using typical Art Nouveau motifs. This could be done by gluing coloured and patterned wrapping under the transparent sheet, following the lines of the drawing.

VALUE FOR LEARNERS
1.  Drawing, and drawing lifelike portraits in particular is something which adults usually feel uneasy about. Facilitating the process in a playful way - where participants felt they were only copying what they actually saw - enabled and encouraged them to take part in the creative process. Copying the model often resulted in funny and grotesque drawings: participants would have lot of fun viewing together the actual results. This funny aspect of the activity created a relaxed atmosphere in which they were eager to participate.
2. Working in pairs was a particularly enlightening experience for all. Participants arriving alone would seek for a person who was willing to draw them. In this way the drawing experience also became a way to socialise.
3. When colouring the drawing, participants reflected on the personality of the model: they often discussed what kind of visual effect would fit the best.
4. The spectacular results of this easy technique attracted a lot of people.

VALUE FOR FACILITATORS
1. In the beginning, adult learners had to rely on each other to produce an artwork. They kept this collaboration throughout the whole process: they discussed the hows and whys continuously. A friendly atmosphere and an engaging task enabled participants to socialise with each other.
2. By making a portrait or an self portrait, participants reflected on themselves, and had to create a visual image that would reflect their personality.