Educational activity based on the short film My strange grandfather
6-9 years: Create and show, individually or collectively, plastic productions of various kinds. Propose inventive responses in an individual or collective project.
9-11 years: Choose, organise and bring together actions, tools and materials according to the effects they produce. Identify the main tools and skills necessary to carry out an artistic project.
My strange grandfather © VGIK Debut
TitleMy strange grandfather
ThemeAppearance, Human Activities, Family Relationship
Genre & keywordsNarrative, grandfather, family relationship, eccentricity, exclusion, beach
Age (for the film)6-11 years old
Duration08 min 40 s
DirectorDina Velikovskaya
MusicC. Maria & E. Kadimsky
ProductionVGIK Debut (Russia, 2011)
Create a piece from salvaged objects.
In the short film, the grandfather collects all kinds of objects from bins and on the beach to make his creations. Using objects collected by the students, by looking at the creations in Petit Pierre's merry-go-round and the “Turbulents” by Alain Bourbonnais, the students will give free rein to their creativity.
Session 1 Firstly, the students will watch the film and share their thoughts freely about it. Let them answer, then ask again: “What is special about the grandfather’s creations?” » Once their ideas have been gathered, show the film a second time. Students will be asked to concentrate on the objects collected and the assemblages made. Then suggest discovering the work of artists also working using this recycling process such as “Petit Pierre” and his merry-go-round. By assembling pieces of cans, metal or cabin of a plane shot down during the war in his field, recovered, cut up, assembled or juxtaposed, Pierre Avezard, also known as “Petit Pierre” creates a whole bunch of figurines. “Petit Pierre” also collects bicycle wheels and inner tubes, and wire to make cogs and thus bring everything to life. The merry-go-round is set in motion by an electric motor.
The “Turbulents” by Alain Bourbonnais: He uses a mesh wooden frame, covered with gummed strips and tissue paper. Then, this structure is “dressed” with fabrics and lace dyed in shades of red, orange and pink enhanced with black. All kinds of recycled objects, wicker baskets, can lids, marrow bones, worn brooms, egg boxes, bells, ox jaws adorn this tribe. Glue, nails, screws and wire are necessary to assemble these materials. They become "Turbulents" when, wound up with a crank, they start to move, they then dance a grotesque and clumsy jig. Then tell the class they will be creating individual and/or group works by reusing this process. Arrange to gather salvaged objects before the second session.
Session 2 Individually or in groups, using recovered objects and materials, students will be able to create their own fantastical animal or character in the style of the grandfather and the artists studied.
Cross-curricular links and resources
Activity sheet written by: Aurélie Moriceau du blog Maikresse72. Discover the Maikresse72 blog...
