App Review: Touch Van Gogh

TOUCH VAN GOGH from the Stitchting Van Gogh Museum is an app that encourages children to explore paintings in detail.

Users explore nine iconic works by artist Vincent Van Gogh. Using multi-touch functions, students can discover the secrets of the artist’s painting techniques. Youth are also able to dive below layers of paint to explore the secrets concealed in each work.

Users begin by selecting a painting to explore. They can then click for information about the painting or select from the exploration tools. They can select from options such as when/where, subject, color, hidden detail, frame, recycling, canvas, and other options depending on the painting. Each tool zooms in on the painting and provides exploration tools along with explanations.

Each of the nine paintings provide a framework for exploring a different aspect of the artist’s works. For instance while exploring the Field with Irises near Arles painting, users learn about the work of the restorer in rubbing away layers of varnish. Explore Van Gogh’s self portraits, gardens, and homes.

Based on complex materials-technical research, librarians will find this app to be an excellent way to immerse youth in the works of Van Gogh. Pair this app with books related to the artist’s life and works as well as titles focusing on painting techniques.

Available from the App Store and Google Play. To download the app, go tohttp://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/…/about…/apps/app-touch-van-gogh.

Book Review: Behind the Canvas

BEHIND THE CANVAS by Alexander Vance is an engaging mystery that weaves together art history with a fantasy adventure.

As an art lover, Claudia enjoys examining the paintings at the local art museum. However she’s confused and amazed when a boy seems to disappear and reappear in an oil painting. Trapped for hundreds of years in the alternative world inside paintings, Pim hopes Claudia can help him escape the spell of an evil witch.

Filled with references to famous artists and works of art, this fantasy mystery will be popular among youth who enjoy art history. Humorous footnotes from a fictional art book will be useful for youth lacking knowledge of European art. Librarians will want to feature this novel along with other art-focused middle grade titles. Build a display that incorporates works of art and artists described in the book along with art history books.

Even youth without an art background will enjoy the fantasy elements along with the themes of friendship, trust, and loyalty.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.alexandervance.com/.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, a imprint of Macmillan on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Behind the Canvas

BEHIND THE CANVAS by Alexander Vance is an engaging mystery that weaves together art history with a fantasy adventure.

As an art lover, Claudia enjoys examining the paintings at the local art museum. However she’s confused and amazed when a boy seems to disappear and reappear in an oil painting. Trapped for hundreds of years in the alternative world inside paintings, Pim hopes Claudia can help him escape the spell of an evil witch.

Filled with references to famous artists and works of art, this fantasy mystery will be popular among youth who enjoy art history. Humorous footnotes from a fictional art book will be useful for youth lacking knowledge of European art. Librarians will want to feature this novel along with other art-focused middle grade titles. Build a display that incorporates works of art and artists described in the book along with art history books.

Even youth without an art background will enjoy the fantasy elements along with the themes of friendship, trust, and loyalty.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.alexandervance.com/.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, a imprint of Macmillan on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: National Gallery of Art

The NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART’s a website and apps that provide a wealth of resources and activities for youth of all ages.

The website Education area provides access to areas including Teachers, NGAkids, Families, and Teens.

The Teachers area is a place where educators can connect to useful educational resources including lesson plans, teaching packets, and videos. Teachers can also download posters and artwork. The NGA Images link provides access to 45,000 open access digital images for use in teaching and learning.

The NGAkids Art Zone includes over a dozen engaging art interactives for children including Sea-Saws, Brushster, Faces & Places, Jungle, Still Life, Dutch House, Photo Op, Collage Machine, Flow, Paintbox, Swatchbox, Wallovers, 3-D Twirler, Mobile, and Pixelface. These easy-to-use online learning activities focus on art and art history.

Eight of these interactives are also available through the NGAkids Art Zone mobile app. There’s also an app focusing on the Hobby Horse exhibit.

The Adventures in Art area of NGAkids Art Zone features highlights of the collection presented in a kid-friendly, interactive style.

The Families area contains resources of interest to youth of all ages. An Eye for Art is an online resource that explores 50 artists in the collection and Family Guides online booklets share insights into the collection.

The Teens area provides links to current exhibitions and installations. It also connects with audio and video programs associated with art and art history. Many of the interactives from the kids section would be of interest to teens too. The Your Art app provides information about over 130 popular artists and their works.

Librarians will find a wealth of resources for use in the art curriculum. Also, consider this resource when designing STEAM activities that connect art with science, technology, engineering, and math. Weave artwork into social studies and history classes through the use of the NGA Images collection.

To learn more, go to http://www.nga.gov.