Chuck Mankey ...and images of nothing

The students' learned about art for art's sake this week from local photographer Chuck Mankey. He presented on taking pictures of nothing and that sometimes an image can be beautiful without having to serve purposes taken from politics, religion, economics, etc.

The students accompanied the images of nothing with stories about... nothing.

I hope you enjoy them:



From Paul and LJ

"I fell one day on the porch. I cried all day. Friday I was over here on Monday and I fell all the way to my neighbor’s house. And, then I cried on Friday. And, then I fell harder Wednesday on by butt." -Paul

"There was a tree by a river. Each year it grows a new a branch. Each leaf will fall in the river. But, one was a golden one so it will never come off the tree.

But, another leaf on a branch that reached all the way to the sky – it looked like it was as tall as a skyscraper…

But, the gray leaf was hidden inside the tree, but one branch, when you pull it down, a door opens. But, there will be barbed wire. And, behind the wires is the gray leaf. The golden leaf’s tip points right to the branch that opens the door.

And, the tree is an oak." - LJ


From Nick and Patrick

"Me and Nick was flying, like Batman and Superman. We were having fun." - Patrick and Nick

From Lauren and Tatyana

"My favorite picture was the hand print on the car because it looks cool." - Tatyana

From Josiah

"Today Ashley, Nick and Patrick were taking a picture of the sky because it was nothing and they took a picture of the sky because everyone was supposed to take a picture of nothing and that is why." - Josiah

From Estrella and Kaylie

"This eye belongs to Mrs. Wonderful Mother Nature. She is the one who controls animals and nature. Her eyes are green because nature is in her blood. The bloom is the sweetness of her heart in every single bloom." - Estrella and Kaylie

From Angel and Mila

"This eye belongs to Mrs. Wonderful Mother Nature. She is the one who controls animals and nature. Her eyes are green because nature is in her blood. The bloom is the sweetness of her heart in every single bloom." - Mila and Angel

Nikki Haring and poetry

The youth were inspired this week from local photographer Nikki Haring. You can view her Flickr photo stream at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikkihphotography/sets/72157623960479758/
Haring showed the students her landscape photography and discussed poetry with them. Some of the students images and poems are below.


From Sarah
Inspiration words: city, lights, skyscrapers, food
It’s a busy street
There’s beautiful lights
And there’s huge skyscrapers everywhere.
But, the food is so good
You wish you lived in the big Chicago city.

From Patrick
Inspiration word: Football
I feel fine until the ball is in the air
And my team is counting on me to pick the ball off and score
Then I feel all the pressure in the world
Then if I do, I am thinking that
I might get hit hard
Like I ran into a brick wall

From Mila
Inspiration words: football, touchdown, pressure crowd
Trying out for football is very
Exciting and honorable.
The only girl to overcome the pressure.
Crowd gives me confidence
Enthusiastic to make touchdown

From Micala
Inspiration word: Food
Food makes you grow
Like vegetables and fruits
I like pizza
The way pandas like bamboo shoots

From LJ

From Estrella
Inspiration words: poncho, dreams, family, singing
Dreams…
What are dreams?
Dreams feel realistic…
Dreams are sometimes scary or happy!
But dreams are like little flashing pictures in your mind while you’re sleeping

From Nick
Let me remember my birthday:
I want food, dude
We will swim
At the gym