Eggcubism in educational contexts:
'If you walk around a painted egg carton, the images overlap each other. This creates an interesting and unexpected distortion that allows space for the viewer’s own imagination. Eggcubism forces you to look actively: you have to keep changing location and focus. The combination of direct and indirect watching breaks traditional patterns of seeing. You could say the total image is only completed in the mind of the one looking at it. What you cannot see, your subconscious fills in for you. The painted egg cartons draw out our own consciousness.'
As the artistic creator of Eggcubism, I regularly engage with educators, teaching networks, museums, and educational publishers worldwide who utilize images of my Eggcubism works for their lessons and various educational purposes. I also work as an educator, developing and advising on creative lessons for myself and others. As an artist-educator, I am involved in international discussions on Recycled Art and interdisciplinary learning.
Egg cartons, being a common part of household waste globally, provide an excellent and affordable resource to incorporate into creative lessons about health and economics, food and animal welfare, and (mass) consumption, which significantly impact the Earth's natural resources and compel us to consider waste management, and further, the concepts of reuse, recycling, upcycling, and sustainability.
The physical shape of an empty egg carton has proven to be engaging and challenging, fostering playful learning to comprehend various biological aspects of human visual perception and their influence on the evolution of Art history (Cubism!). Simply observing an empty egg carton from different angles can teach us much about our 'own perspective' and 'broad insight': what we use our eyes and brains for, how we view the world, and how we experience it from our own position, which is tied to our 'points of view.' These internal viewpoints or (fixed) opinions are, in turn, shaped by many external social and cultural factors (advertising, social media, facial recognition, etc.). Therefore, a basic understanding of the principles of perception and reception (phenomenology) can be addressed in your lessons.
My portrait works are primarily utilized in creative painting classes focusing on self-identification, enhancing students' awareness of their self-image and appearance, and the realization that others may perceive them differently than they see themselves in the mirror. Eggcubism self-portrait lessons are incorporated into interdisciplinary creative learning methods that assist students in developing a personal vocabulary for reflecting on their inner feelings, as well as discovering new ways to express their opinions about their own appearance and ego, and their social and cultural environments. This leads to increased self-awareness and confidence. After all, didn't we all emerge from very similar 'eggs'? What are the defining traits of the communities we were born into, and what physical traits do these characteristics reveal? How do they shape us? By starting your lessons with these questions, you may find that your students can teach you as well!
External source:
Enno de Kroon teaching Eggcubism
A request to teachers:
I am fascinated by the process and outcomes of your Eggcubism lessons. My aspiration is to compile a beautiful book showcasing the impressive global results from various Eggcubism lessons. This publication will feature numerous photos of students' Eggcubism artwork and projects, along with advice and strategies for educators to enhance their teaching quality. I am delighted to receive ongoing submissions of your results and insights from integrating Eggcubism into your curriculum. Please include details about the educational level, grade, and the name of the school or institution where you teach when you submit your materials. Please send your contributions to: info@ennodekroon.nl.
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