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An American Consulate in Guangzhou

The American Consulate in Guangzhou, China houses a sculpture by  artist Joel Shapiro. Students will learn about this region as well as FAPE, the organization dedicated to providing permanent works of American art for U.S. embassies worldwide.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Recycled Cardboard Box

Steps

  • Step 1

    The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) is an organization dedicated to providing permanent works of American art for U.S. embassies worldwide and to promoting cultural diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding. Sculptor Joel Shapiro is a renowned American sculptor whose work is installed at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada and at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China. Have students learn about FAPE and Joel Shapiro and view images of his sculptures.

  • Step 2

    "Now," the sculpture by Joel Shapiro, is installed at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China. Guangzhou was a major terminus of the Silk Road, a trade route active from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century. Have students learn about Guangzhou's history, which dates back over 2,200 years and has played a significant role in the country's economic and cultural development. Who was Sun Yat-Sen and how did he influence Chinese history? What is the language of the region? What are some of the noted cultural events and culinary dishes?

  • Step 3

    Have students use images of Shapiro's work to inspire an original sculpture. Students can use recycled boxes and/or portions of boxes to construct a piece in Shapiro's style. Have them ponder Joel Shapiro's statement about "Now" as they construct their sculpture: "I kept pushing the parts around until I found an image that I thought was lively and until the aggregate became more and more meaningful."

Standards

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art. 

ARTS: Analyze how art exhibited in schools, museums, galleries, virtual spaces, and other places contributes to communities. 

SS: Culture: Through experience, observation, and reflection, identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across time and place. 

Adaptations

Promote cultural diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding. Have the class host a "Diplomacy Fair." Student groups can each pick a nation or culture to research and set up a booth that educates visitors about it. 

Have students research some of the other artists who have their art displayed in U.S. embassies and consulates. Ask them to choose one artist and create an original work in that artist's style.