Ultimate Dog Tease 

[youtube]nGeKSiCQkPw[/youtube]

Surrealism is alive and well and quite a lot of it appears on YouTube (e.g. gorillas who play drums, dogs that talk, cats who think aloud and swear quite a lot).

In the investigation component we ask students to analyse and compare art from different cultures and times, and consider it for its function and significance, and in studio we ask for the production of artworks that explore ideas reflecting cultural and historical awareness and artistic qualities.

I’m not sure if any of these videos count as art (ToK question?) but if Magritte and Dali do not inspire enough initial enthusiasm, you could always point your students in the direction of these links (with appropriate care depending on their maturity)

Phil Collins “Gorilla Drummer” Cadbury Ad (Dairy Milk) 

[youtube]Wy52yueBX_s[/youtube]

Cat vs Printer – The Translation (warning – contains some offensive language)

[youtube]CSK1D3bZhRs[/youtube]

The Tate Gallery on Liverpool is having a Magritte exhibition so if you are in the area, this is a great opportunity to see some originals (links below)

René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle – exhibition (Guardian article) 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jun/10/rene-magritte-pleasure-principle-exhibition

Magical Magritte (BBC radio 4) 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9513000/9513571.stm

Tate Liverpool announce René Magritte exhibition to lead 2011 programme

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/09/09/tate-liverpool-announce-ren-magritte-exhibition-to-lead-2011-programme-92534-27234948/