Component 4: Contemporary Critique Through Art – Lori Hogin
Students will also meet the artist via Google Meets or Zoom. While you are wondering why I chose Mrs. Hogin, the answer is simple. She is an amazing contemporary artist who happens to be both my mentor and current professor at one of our universities in the state of Illinois. I have remained in close contact with her and it is important to note that she has agreed to be interviewed as well. Students will view her current body of work, ask questions, and understand what an artist does in a studio.
This component directly connects scientific exploration with metaphor and myth, preparing students for personal expression in the final project, creating their own work(s) of art. One will be a two-dimensional watercolor painting, and the other will be a three-dimensional sculpture of their Alebrijes.
After meeting and getting more information about this artist, students will critically analyze the work of contemporary American artist Lori Hogin, who’s vividly painted, genetically implausible animals critique environmental degradation, consumerism, and biotechnology. Hogin’s aesthetic—rooted in nineteenth century styles but populated with mutated, surreal creatures—offers an accessible yet intellectually provocative platform for middle school students to explore the intersection of science, politics, and satire. Students will interpret Hogin’s work through guided discussions and written responses, drawing connections between her themes and their own lived experiences.
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