Note: Be sure to follow district and school policies regarding AI. It is your responsibility to check on these policies often because they can change quickly. Be sure to review all resources and preview all artists before determining if they are appropriate to share with your students.
In a world buzzing with AI headlines—from ominous predictions to promises of overcoming human limitations—AI is the topic on everyone’s lips. No matter where you stand on the topic, it’s inevitable that our students will encounter and use it. It’s important to be proactive and teach our students how to use AI responsibly as a tool. We want them to harness AI to unleash their creativity rather than replace it! Use the steps below to guide them through vital AI discussions centered around an art lesson idea they will thoroughly enjoy.
Unlock creativity with this captivating lesson idea that merges Surrealism with AI!
Get started with AI and learn about popular platforms. It’s important to note considerations when bringing AI into the K-12 art room. Then, discover ways to streamline your planning and assessment! If you’re looking for even more ways to dive into the transformative role of AI in teaching art, enroll in AI in Art Education.
1. Connect with art history.
Before diving into AI and digital tools, it’s important to put them in the broader context of art history. This helps students connect past lessons to new media. The Surrealist movement, known for its disjointed and dreamlike qualities, naturally complements AI’s strengths in generating unexpected and imaginative imagery. Just as Salvador Dalí pushed the boundaries of reality with imaginative concepts, AI can assist students in exploring and transforming visual elements to create innovative art. By delving into this connection, students will see how modern technology continues the Surrealist tradition of pushing creativity and challenging perception.
Use Salvador Dalí’s artist bio in FLEX Curriculum to support learning. Each artist bio includes an image of the artist and/or artwork, quick facts, a list of famous works, and a brief history of their life and career. Artist bios make great screen-free resources for students to read about an artist!
Once students have a basic understanding of Surrealism, focus on specific pieces that exemplify it. Key pieces can include The Persistence of Memory, The Son of Man, or Europe After the Rain, II. Give students time to examine the artwork and compile a list of everything they see. Take those observations to the next level by asking why the artist may have made those choices and what the “big idea” may be. This process helps students connect their observations to the underlying meaning of the piece. Additionally, ask students to note where they see the melding of reality and dreams to set the stage for their artmaking prompt.
2. Plan with keywords.
Brainstorm relevant keywords to input into an AI image-generating tool. Encourage students to list five or more hobbies and interests, followed by five or more adjectives to describe their dreams. This helps gain student buy-in by leveraging what they like while also creating a link to Surrealism. Remind students not to use copyrighted images, personal identifying information, and celebrity names.
3. Understand AI technology.
Before letting them loose with AI technology, take the time to discuss what AI actually is. While many students may have heard of AI (or even used it!), they may not fully understand how it works or the implications of using it. AI systems use data from various online sources and analyze patterns to make predictions and create outputs. For instance, platforms such as Dall-E can transform keywords into visuals, making the artistic process exciting and interactive. Consider reviewing and using a student agreement for the appropriate use of AI tools in the art room.
4. Generate images.
In the AI image generator of your choice, students will enter their keywords as a descriptive sentence. For example, if they love soccer and ice cream, and their dreams are often foggy and involve water, they might input something like, “Playing soccer while eating ice cream in a foggy, water-filled world.” As they explore the images AI generates based on their commands, prompt them to adjust their instructions to experiment with filters and rearrange or swap words. Students will save several images to select their favorite.
5. Explore image editing tools.
It’s time to dive into image editing tools! While processes will vary depending on the platform you select, key tools to review include text, drawing, layering, and transparency. Discuss the concept of ownership and require students to incorporate their AI image as only one element of their artwork, rather than relying solely on it. The final piece should reflect personal artistic choices.
6. Get hands-on!
The final step is what will truly unlock creativity. Students will step away from the computer and get their hands dirty! Print the final artwork and manipulate it in some way. Students can cut their image into strips and weave it, paint or draw layers on top, rip it up and rearrange it into a new collage, or stitch a design through the composition. This tactile approach allows students to further explore and enhance their artistic expression beyond the digital realm. It emphasizes the use of AI as part of a holistic process and not a means of generating a product.
Much like a paintbrush, AI can be another tool in your students’ art kits. Just as the artist controls the brush, students can learn how to responsibly use AI to reflect their unique artistic vision. Integrate AI into art projects a little at a time to expose your students to cutting-edge technology and new ways of self-expression. Infuse Surrealism to add a dose of art history and foster art observation and analysis skills. Combine traditional artistic methods and materials with modern AI platforms to create a rich and relevant learning experience to bridge the past and future of art.
How do you integrate AI to push creative boundaries?
What other art movement lends itself to AI image generation?
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Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
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