Find inspiration in the work and process of artist Fred Smith. Take a moment to learn more about him by downloading his artist overview. Then, use materials and objects from your home to complete the Try it! activity.
Fred Smith Artist Overview
It’s Gotta be in Ya!
What memories stick with you? Is there a place or an object you have memories of that you would want to save were it in danger of being destroyed?
Many artist-built environments, like Fred Smith’s Wisconsin Concrete Park, exist today because people had memories at these places, saw the importance and value in the site artwork, and made sure that it was preserved for future generations.
Watch the stop-motion animated video by Souther Salazar below to hear the story of how former Arts Center Director Ruth Kohler helped ensure that Fred Smith’s environment could remain in its location as he created it.
Take a moment to discuss the following questions or write and draw about them in a sketchbook.
- What place or object means a lot to you?
- Share a story about your favorite memory from that place or about the object.
- Why would you want to save that place or object if it were in danger?
Additional Resources and Extensions
– View more of Fred Smith’s work and learn about other artist-built environments.
– Perform your own puppet show or create a stop motion animation inspired by Souther Salazar’s work to tell a story about the site that you would preserve. Create 2-D or 3-D objects to use in your story, for example puppets and backgrounds. You can use basic materials to create your props such as paper and markers — or even cut out pictures of the place or object and tape it to a stick to make a puppet! Many free apps available for smart phones and tablets to create a stop motion animation