Deep Research
Project URLs:
http://asci.org/news/featured/meisler/meisler.html
Purpose of the Project:
"Deep Research" Is a digital exploration of two worlds of
conspicuous silence – the New York Public Library and the underwater world.
These icons of conspicuous silence and beauty are among our greatest resources
at risk. The viewer is engaged in an imaginary narrative that explores issues of
urbanization, access to information, and environmental /quality of life
concerns.
The students view "Deep Research" series by Meryl Meisler.
Follow-up activities can include discussion, research and writing about the
following: 1. Classify the species of fish and coral in each picture; 2.
Identify the architectural details. Each student can create an illustrated
glossary of architectural terms and styles.
The Library depicted in the series is the Arts and Humanities Branch on 42nd
Street in NYC. Visit http://nypl.org to
find out: 1. When was the library built? 2. Who were the major funders? 3. Who
were the architects? 4. Is it a public or private library? 5. What reservoir was
it built upon?
- Write an imaginary narrative describing what is going on in the
picture.
- What do you know about the mythical Atlantis? Find the passage in Jules
Verne’s "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" that describes Captain
Nemo’s tour of Atlantis.
Divide the class into small groups (3-4) to discuss the following:
- Digital media can archive books and make them accessible via the internet;
how will this effect the need and function of schools and libraries?
- Underpaid, and demoralized- NYC’s Librarians and Public school
teachers are leaving in record numbers. Are real live/in person teachers and
Librarians replaceable by digital databases, and virtual classrooms? Are
institutions of learning destined to sink? Why or why not?
Standards Addressed by This Unit:
Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art. Students will respond critically to
a variety of works in the arts connecting the individual work to other works and
to aspects of human endeavor and thought.
Software Materials Used:
Internet connection and browser
Students:
Meryl Meisler teaches groups of heteregeneously mixed,
multi-ethnic, multi-racial 6 – 12 grade students.
Overall:
The Library represents the world of ideas and knowledge. Funds for the Arts,
Education, and Libraries (symbols of humanity's achievements) are continuously
under "attack" by many of our elected officials. They face severe
cutbacks in funding and accessibility to the general public. The purpose of this
project is to focus on the need for our society to appreciate, nourish and save
its treasures and resources at risk.
Tips:
When creating small discussion groups, appoint or have students self-elect
"recorders" (take notes of discussion) and "speakers" (to
report findings to rest of class)
