PHASE 1: EXPLORE
Pre-work
Favorite works of art
For the Pre- Task, we had to share some of our favorite works of art and write the reason for choosing them.
1. Vitruvian Man
Vitruvian Man details
Reason for choosing
Meaning: The piece is a thoughtful fusion of a part work of art and a part work of mathematics. Da Vinci tried to portray the idea of everything being the right size and in the right place by exemplifying the human body as having a "perfect" geometry.
Significance: The artwork intended to explore the idea of proportion, the piece conveys the belief that "everything in the world is interconnected." It shows that the human body literally made of building blocks whose proportional ratios always equal to the 'divine proportion'.
2. Composition 8
Composition 8 details
Reason for choosing
Meaning: Composition VIII offers an abstract style that presents calmness in chaos, through shapes and lines. Kandinsky moved from Russia to the Bauhaus in Germany during World war 1. Therefore, the painting also shows the current emotional state of the artist through colors. The current scenario of that time is also visible in the painting. For example, two solar eclipses occurred during the composition 8 creation, which may have been an inspiration for the black circle and red circle on the top left-hand side corner.
3. Red Fort
Red Fort details
Reason for choosing
Architecture:
The architectural plan, design, and functionality make the place more relevant and attractive.
The architecture of the Red Fort is a representation of the cultural intermingling that the Mughals brought to India. It is the culmination of the Mughal style of architecture that began with the first Emperor and that involves a fusion of Persian, Timurid, and Hindu traditions.
History: The Red Fort is a symbolism of our past. It is preservation and evidence of Delhi's past.
Design: The frozen motifs and symbols, intricate jali patterns and designs. The magnificence of the monument is always mesmerizing.
4. Mughal Emperor Jahangir holding the picture of Madonna
Jahangir holding the picture of Madonna details
Reason for choosing
Aesthetics: The singularity of this painting is its beautiful borders of all four sides of the painted with a better blend of colors like gold, green, yellow, and blue.
Fusion: A perfect amalgamation of different cultures in one painting. It is a fusion of the Mughal style of painting with the Christian iconography and the decorative Persian calligraphy (Nastaliq) with black ink on all sides.
NOTES: Ways of Seeing
Episode 1: Technological Reproduction and Communication has changed the meaning of visual art
Here and Now: Photography can bring out aspects of the place or object that are accessible only to the lens but not to a human eye.
Technological Reproduction can place the copy of the original in situations that the original itself cannot attain. The choral work performed in an auditorium or in the open air is enjoyed in a private room
Perception: The way in which human perception is organized- the medium in which it occurs- is conditioned not only by nature but by history. The era of the migrations, an era that saw the rise of late roman art.
Concept of aura: A strange tissue of space and time: unique apparition of a distance, however near it may be. Example: while resting on a summer afternoon- a mountain range on the horizon.
Photography: The invention of photography has transformed the entire character of art.
context changes-emotion changes
stage actor represents a person-film actor represents emotions
Aura changes
Perspective changes
Due to fear of judgment from customers, art has changed to quality or quantity.
Beauty: Beauty is not about the appearance of something. It's about the spirit. something feels beautiful when there is a value attached to it. When it creates an aura that is beautiful for you. The feeling that someone generates is what makes it beautiful.
Episode 2: Women
Women always face judgments and glances
Kenneth Clark
Naked: Simply being without clothes
Nude: a form of art
John Berger
Naked: is to be oneself
Nude: is to be seen naked by others and yet not recognized for oneself
seen as an object
Nakedness is created in the eyes of the beholder. Story of Adam and Eve.
Nudity is another form of dress.
Charles II portrait of her mistress: Makedness is not an expression of her own feelings, it is a sign of her submission to his demand.
Other Cultures: Nakedness is a celebration of active sexual love between two peoples.
Expressions: Looking with charm
looking away from the man
Language: Arrangement of their body parts
minimum energy: feed an appetite not to have their own
Hairless skin: Hair is associated with sexual passion and women's sexual passion needs to be minimized. So that the spectator may feel that he has the monopoly of such passion.
Men's paintings were semi-pornographic.
Women wear a uniform according to the situation or occasion. they always put a costume in whatever character, they want to show themselves into, such as a working woman, a mother, a teenager. Nudity is a kind of costume to show that now I am ready for sexual pleasure. You can't identify nude with being free.
Sense of availability and sense of waiting for other people is very antithesis of action. If you are simply valuing somebody else.
Narcissism
Episode 3: Value of Objects
The most valuable objects of all become oil painting. Oil paintings often depict things which in reality are buyable.
Look at the Painting
Paintings have now become treasures and art galleries have become palaces and also banks.
The commonality in the medium. Eg: Oil Paintings in Europe
Emphasis on the real being solid, on being what we could put our hands-on because it is connected to the sense of ownership.
Episode 4
Glamour
Symbols of Prestige are shown through the gestures and placements of hands and legs.
TASK 2: Warm-up
A short presentation was prepared on some of the questions.
Our group number 6 was merged with group number 5. All 10 members of the group were highly participative. We all discussed and debated certain topics. Some of us tried to explain certain assumptions with the help of some examples whereas in some topics all of us agreed unanimously.
Slide 1: Title
Title 2: Inspiration of artwork
Slide 3: Materials and Techniques
Slide 4: Reason
Slide 5: Artist
Reflection
Artists take inspiration from a lot of places such as nature, lifestyle, and culture, etc. But the common factor in all these inspirations is observation. While discussing various paintings and architecture, we noticed the skill of observing minuscule details in their surrounding. Along with that, reflection is another factor that was making a work of art novel. The hybrid approach of reflection and observation creates a piece of art.
Art is a most direct and spontaneous expression. Different persons have a different set of emotions, have a different set of problems. But the commonality in all this is the feeling. Every person has feeling regarding different things which needs to be expressed, Some people prefer to express that feeling the form of writing, some like to draw whereas others might choose some other way. Therefore, at some time in their life, every person is an artist who created something for various reasons.
The flexibility in drawing allows for differences in medium, material, style, convention, and therefore, our personality is expressed.
Main Inquiry
Our assigned region is MESOAMERICA from 500B.C-500A.D.
Step 1: Plan
Before beginning the project, we had to plan a few things.
Group Norms
Equal division of work.
Update each other at 3 pm and then 9 pm.
Review and give feedback to each other at the end of the day.
We will have discussions twice a week so that the other group members are aware of the activities happening during the different time period in the assigned region
Try to discuss and draw insights at the end of the day.
Group Members
These are my group members and their assigned period-
Brief
A thorough study of the time period assigned.
Factors led to the thinking of that design or idea.
Impact of any significant events or development occurred globally.
Decode the context of that time period with the gathered information.
Use visual references or draw them.
Cover as much geographical area as much as possible of our time period.
Step 2: Research
Google Sheet Group 6: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oKuoYG5raQ0p74-ysdqvwlgEMS_oGp7nuXEnDdaiGFo/edit?usp=sharing
Themes/inspirations expressed in forms of Art & Design
Earlier Civilisations to preserve their identity.
Pre Established Beliefs and practices. Eg: They used to practice human sacrifice because that the sun will not rise and the world would end.
Daily life and routines
Deities
The pattern of thinking/ideas prevalent in the society - driving the society at that time
Trade and Distribution are economically beneficial.
God is someone who keeps them alive.
Human Sacrifice: Nature and blood provides life
Ritual sacrifice was done in efforts to appease the god and save the population
Factors Influencing
Totonac Culture
Ruling elites
Priests
Purpose of creative practice/s at the time.
Establish their status as elites
Religious Purposes
Communication
What was the philosophy of Art & Design?
Make murals in the interior because they find colors beautiful and use them to paint the walls and decorate.
Step 3: Assimilate
Essay Questions
These are some of the trigger questions for essays that were listed by our group.
Essay
THE NATURE OF ART
TRACING THE HISTORY OF MESOAMERICA
Exploring the relationship between art and cultural identity, with a particular focus on the geographically and culturally diverse 100AD-300AD region in Mesoamerica.
Colonies of the world during 100A.D.-300A.D
People often find themselves around their surroundings. Our natural surroundings seem to reflect who we are. Understanding and expressing ourselves through art and design has been a common practice throughout history. Whether it be ancient cave paintings, murals, scriptures, sculptures-wildlife and natural heritage have lent themselves to countless metaphors for human subjectivity. With this premise, this essay explores the relationship between art and design with cultural identity, with a particular focus on Mesoamerica from 100AD-300AD.
Map of Mesoamerica. The word “meso” is a Greek word that means “middle.” So, “Mesoamerica” means “Middle America.”
The region of Mesoamerica formed a significant part of the southern portion of North America. It enjoys diverse geography of humid tropical areas, dry deserts, high mountainous terrain, and low coastal plains. Mesoamerica, like the rest of the continents, also had a tryst with the rule of monarchs and the Imperial Crisis during 235–284 AD. Like the rest of the world, the monarch's desire for expansion continued changing the way people interacted with their geographical state of Mesoamerica. Art-specifically murals, sculptures, and architecture-from Mesoamerica been a manifestation of its socio-religious, political, and geographical understanding. Using the depictions of humans and their natural surroundings in the Mesoamerican paintings. This essay is an attempt to temporally trace the shifting relationship of humans with their surroundings. It further argues that this shift has also changed the way Mesoamerica understands itself as a people.
Scholars suggest that the Mesoamerica painting traditions date back to the Pre-Columbian Period. Dated from 100CE, when Mesoamerica's people did not have a writing system, so visual art documented not only religious influences in the region but also expressed their world views, daily activities, and routines, and various types of governance existed there.
As the civilizations changed drastically, so did art. Some religious sculptures, like the pyramid of Sun and Moon-is evidence for the popularity of beliefs of Mesoamerica during 100A.D.
The Pyramid of the Sun is one of the iconic sites of Mesoamerica. It is the largest building in Teotihuacan, Mesoamerica. It is believed to have been constructed in 200AD. Some scholars once pointed that the early civilizations of Mesoamerica inspired this structure. The pyramid is literally made up of a giant heap of crushed bedrock, which supports another theory that erupting volcano left yards of materials, red coarse volcanic rock in the region. A cave has been revealed inside the pyramid which had various religious artifacts, apparently the scenes of numerous fire and water rituals.
Pyramid of Sun
Another iconic creation was the Pyramid of Moon, at the northern end which was probably completed around 250 A.D. Recent Excavations near the base of the pyramid
the staircase has uncovered the tomb of a male skeleton, as well as sacrificial animals.
Pyramid of Moon
Strangely, obsidian arrowheads, human figurines, depictions of ancestors, and different kinds of deities have been discovered in both pyramids. The artist seems to have confident control over the material, which shows robust curves and a perfect understanding of the material. Most of the artifacts were used for ritual purposes and probably were used for sacrificing practices.
Weapons used for killings
The pre-established religious beliefs and practices are formed on the notion that virtually everything in the world contains sacredness. Maya belief establishes the creation and sanctity of human beings, the earth, and all things sacred. This divine sanctity can be translated into Maya creation myths as well. For example, the creation of the earth is said to have been a deed of Huracán, the wind and sky god. The sky and earth connected, which left no space for any beings or vegetation to grow. In order to make space, a Ceiba tree was planted. The tree grew roots in all the levels of the underworld and its branches grew into the upper world. The tree trunk grew to leave space on earth for animals, plants, and humans. According to Maya belief, animals and plants were extant before humans. The gods were not satisfied with only the animals because they could not speak to honor them. From there, humans were made in order to honor the gods.
Deities and human sacrifices have been integral to how Mesoamerica's creative practitioners have understood themselves and their homeland through various stages of history-Mesoamerica's natural heritage events have always been a site for the unfolding of several important historical events in the region of Mesoamerica. The consequences of changing civilizations and assertion of belief systems have found a way to impact and change Mesoamerica's people over time. During the next time periods, however, artists slightly moved away from deities' depictions and have begun taking literal inspiration from their daily lives and urbanization.
Archeologists found signs of Hindu civilization throughout the Americas in art architecture, astronomy, religious symbols, etc. The zenith of the Maya civilization was reached at a time when ancient India had attained an unparalleled cultural peak during the Gupta Period in 320 AD. The two cultures also share similar gods. The God of Death in Indian and Mayan cultures were similar. Both civilizations regarded death not as the end of life but as another milestone in a continuous cycle of births and deaths. This could be due to the trade between the sea routes, reaching out and extending their cultural influence to other parts of the world.
Common structures of India and Mesoamerica
VISUAL ORGANIZER
This is a visual organizer which summarizes the above essay.
This is a summary of the entire essay in around 50 words.
I have made the visual organizer on yellow chart paper and painted it with coffee water. It slightly resembles the wall color of that time. You might also see some red color spots, these spots are symbolism of blood. People of Mesoamerica have painted some murals from the blood.
In the middle of the organizer is the time period represented along with the global events that were taking place during that era. This is about Mesoamerica and about its famous architecture.
Now, as we move to the other parts of the world, Gupta Empire in India shared some common beliefs and practices with the people of Mesoamerica. Architecture and Deities are some of the examples. According to the scholars. the exchange of ideas happened because of trading practices.
Further, this circle continues showing the cultural influence of Southeast Asia. Due to the influence of trade, many Hindu brahmins started settling in southeast Asia and shared the tales of India such as Mahabharat and Ramayana. Therefore, a lot of sculptures and practices are inspired by Hindu gods and goddesses.
This all shows that one part of the country is influenced by another and how it is evidently seen in their art and culture. Along with that, it is also seen that a lot can be predicted or seen about the region or that era with the help of their visuals.
PHASE 2: EXTEND
Step1: Observe and Analyse
We had to select a significant painting/sculpture/architecture from the time period (and geographical area) assigned to us, individually.
Therefore, I have chosen the sculpture of MAYA TWIN BROTHERS.
Hunahpu and Xbalanque — The Maya Hero Twins
The two twin brothers are two of the most famous characters from Maya mythology. The Hero Twins were Mayan semi-gods called Hunahpu and Xbalanque, whose story is narrated in the Popol Vuh (“The Book of Council”).
Reason for choosing
According to Maya, twins are a complementary pairing of life and death, sky and earth, day and night, sun and moon. The concept of duality was one of the reasons for choosing this particular artwork.
The perfect carving and detailed features were another reason.
Step 2: Recreate
Process of Recreation
Step 1: Created a grid and started making the contour of the figures
Step 1
Step 2: Started detailing the human figures
Step 2
Step 3: Detailing of the drawing
Step 3
Step 4: Final Outcome
Step 4
Annotations of the visual to observe and analyze Elements and Principles of Design.
Annotations did on google slides
Step 3: Interpret
Process of making the abstract visual composition
Step1: Divided figures into small boxes because the human figures seemed to spread equally across the canvas.
Then, I decoded the visual by using basic shapes to understand the thought of an artist.
Step 2
Step 2: Detailed the composition by adding more geometric shapes
Step 2
Step 3: Final Outcome
In the left-side figures of the composition, I have used yellow, red, and dark blue colors.
Whereas in the right-hand side figures, I have used green, light blue, and red colors.
The red color is common at both sides of the figure to make the figure seem blended with each other and not fragmented into pieces.
The background is colored from some selected colors of the figures.
I have left some white spaces in between the figures to give some breathing space and visually balanced.
Step 3
Step 4: Present
For this step, we had to write the Elements of Design and principles of Design with the help of the annotations did in step 3.
Artwork
EOD and POD of the artwork
Abstraction
EOD and POD of abstraction
Realizations from other's presentations.
Presentations should be made mindfully
Decide a theme
Arrangements
Use keywords instead of sentences
The background should not be distracting
Abstraction
Abstraction by using different materials in different styles.
I could not understand the abstraction of some students and at the end of the presentation, I was confused that what is abstraction actually?
Step 5: Conclude
The amalgamation of the real-life belief with sculpture offers an inherently perspective on Thematic presentation. The artwork is skillfully made by keeping the Elements and principles of design in mind. Due to the detailed features of the figures, it is prominent that the artist tried to make them as realistic as possible. He/She tried to add depth where ever possible. Overall, the artwork seemed visually appealing because of the balance and proportions maintained in the artwork.
They beautifully communicated that how they believe in their god. They always thought that God is superior to them. That is why every god in their culture, used to wear headgear. Because in headgears, the height of that person increases in respect to others.
Visual and Material Culture
Visual Culture is the aspect of culture expresses in visual images. Such as advertising, landscape, buildings, photographs, movies, paintings, apparel, etc.
Example: During the time of Covid-19, every person in a painting might be wearing a mask. It could be seen in the painting that every public place and household has at least one bottle of sanitizer.
Material Culture is the aspect of social reality grounded in all human-made and modified forms, objects, and expressions.
Example: At the time of the pandemic, people customized their clothing according to their comfort level.
Since certain different styles, techniques/technology, themes, and colors dominate different historical places and periods. I have to recognize the visual and material culture of Mesoamerica from 500 B.C-500 A.D.
Step 1
These are 5 pieces of artwork that belong to the same category of expression and time period.
Artwork of the same category
Similarities and dissimilarities in artworks
Step 2
These works are put together to communicate the visual and material culture of Mesoamerica from 100A.D.-100B.C.
Link to Pinterest Board:
Images of the artwork of Mesoamerica
Similarities and Dissimilarities in artwork
Step 3
Reflection
1. People had faith in their god since most of the artworks are based on religious themes.
2. Detailing in an artwork seemed to be an important factor for them.
3. Brownstone was abundantly available since most of the artwork, weapons, and jewelry of that time period are made on them.
4. Maize god is given a lot of importance. Many people might be involved in agricultural practices
5. The architectural pieces are in a pyramid shape.
6. Jewelry is given more importance than clothing. Probably the discovery of clothes was minimal at that time period.
7. Sacrificing practices were painted on some of the vessels. Therefore, it shows their faith in god.
8. Sacrificing practices also show the importance of human lives for them.
9. Since Mesoamerica was prone to volcanos, the red bedrock material must of available abundantly. Therefore, most of the architecture is made up of that material.
People used to invest time in carving sculptures because they were given a lot of importance during that period.
Concept of Visual and Material Culture
Visual and Material Culture is a practice that should be followed.
Every area has its own unique culture and cultural identity. It needs to be remembered and always cherished. We also tend to learn and imbibe a lot from each other. Through this practice, we are able to know and understand our ancestors. Unknowingly, our culture reveals our history, the common history of a nation makes them feel connected and united. Therefore, visual and material culture holds a lot of value and memories which needs to be preserved but at the same time evolve.
One should preserve its culture through art but also fuse it with the things going around the world. Otherwise, you will be stay restricted in your own region.
Consumerism is an issue nowadays. People want to buy unique and latest things.
Hemanshi ma'am showed us a video of Th se thathra. In that video, a community was Punjab was carrying the legacy of their traditional craft of manufacturing brass and copper utensils through molding and hammering. But due to a lack of design innovation, the traditional designs of the artisans could not thrive in the modern market. After the collaboration, few changes were made to the products like adding a clock in the plate or hanging shapes of the cup made them consumer-friendly bought them back to the market at a much higher price and respectful position. Thus. preserving their legacy.
Click here to see the story of Th se Thathra.
PHASE 3: Realizations
GROUP DISCUSSION 1: Making Connections
In this activity, we have made ourselves aware of the visual and material culture of our time period, along with the area assigned to us.
We have made connections of Mesoamerica with India and Greece with the time period 500A.D-500A.D.
Common Characteristics of Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica relations with India and Greece
Mindmap of the connections written above
GROUP DISCUSSION 2: Meaning Making
Meaning-making is the user's perspective of material artifacts and the way and reasons why they are made according to their context.
As artists create objects, colors, artifacts, etc, they try to convey meanings. As designers, we should try to anticipate an artist thought behind the artwork and imbibe it in our learning.
My group members and I have tried to anticipate the meanings of individual artworks by some of the renowned artists because every artist has a different thought process.
Meaning-making of 'Composition 8'
Meaning-making of 'The Last Supper'
Meaning-making of 'Vitruvian Man'
Final Group Process
For the final presentation, we had to work collaboratively in the group to prepare a 7 min long video-podcast. We had to provide an overview of the creative expressions in the time period assigned to our group.
PROCESS
Initially, we discussed and thought of writing our scripts according to certain topics we have covered in the past two weeks.
Division of work
After discussing with our mentors, we changed our plan on the second day. This time, we took the time period as a common thread and divided our work according to that.
Division of work
On the last day, after finalizing the work and script our video podcast seemed like a presentation, Therefore, to make it interesting we tried to make it a theatre in which our group members became the citizens of Mesoamerica, who were taking the students on a journey of their land.
Script Writing
Script Writing individually
Voice Recording
Script Recording on Teams platform
Compilation
Compilation of work
Editing
Editing of the video podcast
After compiling editing, this was our outcome.
Outcome
After the feedforward from our faculties, we have made few changes. Therefore, this is the final presentation.
Final Presentation