Challenging art for Religious Education teacher professional development.
Background:
“The painting “Will You Be Profitable, Little Friend?” from 1972, by the Swedish artist Peter Tillberg, might be considered as one of the most famous and perhaps loved post-1968 art works in Sweden. It depicts an ordinary school class, from, what it looks like, an ordinary
place. In a realistic manner Tillberg has chosen a frontal perspective from the position of the teacher, and it is the teacher that seems to ask the question in the title.” -http://www.alexandervaindorf.com/works/w_u_4.htm Alexandder Vainsdorf has created a video installation that revisits the painting.
Questions for Discussion
- What mood is conveyed?
- When have you seen those expressions before?
- Do you identify with any particular student? Explain.
- How does the title of the painting affect its meaning?
- What other title could you create for this piece?
- The chairs are invisible. What do make of this?
- This painting was created as a critique of Swedish education in the 1970’s. Is it still relevant?
- If you were to recreate a work to depict Ontario Catholic classrooms today, what would be some of its features?
- What insights have you drawn from exploring this work?