Hamilton Secondary College is located at Mitchell Park with the student population coming from surrounding areas with a range of backgrounds. The school has 560 continuing students and 1200 part and full-time adult students. Hamilton Secondary College has a strong focus on social justice and technology and the arts are highly valued.
PROJECT COORDINATOR: Andrea Chittlewood
ARTIST: David Archer
PROJECT: ‘Working with Automata’ – a visual arts mechanical sculpture project.
Aims: • To involve one year 8 and one year 9 class in the production of Automata (a mechanical sculpture project). • To expose students to an ‘alternative’ art form. • To exhibit the finished work in various settings as well as a permanent installation in the school.
David met with the staff, prior to the commencement of the project, to discuss the themes. These themes were then presented to the students who brainstormed with their ideas. After a visit to one of David’s exhibitions the students decided to produce two group Diarama/Automata which were then broken down into small group tasks.
David inspired, led and taught skills while creating Automata boxes and mechanisms.
Outcomes: • Students learnt new skills as well as group work skills. • Students gained ownership of the project while problem solving and learning design skills. • The students developed an improved self-esteem through this project.
‘David’s positive involvement has encouraged the school to fund another artist in residence for 2003.’ Teacher
‘I would like to see a longer residency - the time seemed to go so fast! I would recommend Hamilton Secondary College to future visiting artists.’ Artist
