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ACTIVITY 1.6
continued
About the Artist
In 1930 Frida Kahlo’s husband, Diego Rivera, received several commissions to paint murals in the United States, causing them to move from Mexico to this country. After three years in the United States, Frida was homesick and longed
to return to Mexico. This tension between living in one world and longing to be in another inspired her painting Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States.
Like literature, art is a medium that intends to communicate to an audience. Just as every literary work is a conversation waiting to happen, so is a work of art waiting for a listening audience. As a viewer and reader of art, you must consider the elements of the art before making an interpretation.
Introducing the Strategy: OPTIC
OPTIC is an acronym for overview, parts, title, interrelationships, and conclusion. OPTIC is a strategy for analyzing visual texts—including paintings, photographs, advertisements, maps, charts, or graphs—and developing an interpretation regarding the meaning or theme(s) of the text.
8. Use the OPTIC graphic organizer on the next page to analyze this painting.
WORD CONNECTIONS
Content Connections
The word medium has
different meanings in art, communication, science, and math. In art, medium refers
to the mode or material
used to communicate artistic expression, such as watercolor or sculpture. In communication, medium is the system of communication, such as newspapers or television.
In science, medium can be a substance placed in a habitat, such as a petri dish, to help organisms grow. In math, medium is used to describe a middle degree or mean.
My Notes
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Unit 1 • Cultural Conversations 37 10/20/15
2:19 AM
ACTIVITY 1.6 continued
13 In the next part of this activity, students will analyze a painting
by Frida Kahlo for evidence of her cultural identity. Try to find a version of this painting online so students can see it in full color. Many images are available online and can be found by searching for the title of the painting.
14 Introduce students to the OPTIC strategy. Consider modeling the first few rows of the graphic organizer on the next page with the whole class before having students complete it either individually or in groups.
15 Analysis of the Painting: This painting shows Frida Kahlo standing between two different worlds: Mexico and the United States.
The images in the painting depict information about Frida’s interests as an artist, her cultural identity, and the feelings she holds toward her alien environment (she was living
in the United States at the time).
The left side of the painting shows an ancient Mexican landscape and various aspects of nature in Mexico. The right side of the painting is dominated by what Kahlo sees as
a representation of industry and
the United States. There is just one link between the two worlds: an electricity generator standing on U.S. soil draws its power from the roots of a plant on the Mexican side, which it then supplies to the socket on the pedestal on which Frida is standing. The legend on the pedestal reads: “Carmen Rivera painted her portrait the year 1932” (Carmen was Frida’s baptism name). Her image holds the flag of Mexico that crosses over to the Mexican side, demonstrating where her loyalty lies.
Unit 1 • Cultural Conversations 37
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.