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Lesson Overview:
Though a series
of pictures, readings and activities, the students will investigate
many of the relationships that contribute to the look and design
of decorative arts objects. The influence of local and distant
cultures will be illustrated and discussed. Two sub-themes central
to this will unfold. First, these influences can create "threads"
of borrowed ideas that can span time or distance. Second, even
when local craftsmen borrow ideas from other cultures, they are
usually re-interpreted and re-invented with local esthetics woven
into the new look of the objects. This lesson focuses on comparing
the results of different social and cultural influences on the
objects, and on comparing the same types of objects with each
other. .
Learning
Objectives:
After completing
this unit, students will be able to:
- Describe
ways that cultures (communities) have individual and often unique
art approaches.
- Describe
how the art of one culture may be influenced by the art of other
cultures through historical knowledge or trade.
- Identify
ways that even "copied" art will change as it is made
in the new culture.
- Describe
ways that different materials are used in different cultures
because of availability or cost of importing
- Identify
the influences of other cultures' decorative styles on the decorative
arts in the Grandeur of Viceregal Mexico.
Preparing
To Teach This Unit:
This unit
is designed to be a multidisciplinary unit for elementary age
students in grades 1 through 4. It combines both art and art history
activities with social studies knowledge and skills. The activities
emphasize critical thinking and problem solving proficiency. Language
arts activities using both reading and writing competencies are
also included.
Time Frame
For This Unit:
This unit
consists of three sections, but it can be
tailored to fit the school or class's schedule. The first section
in particular, the Wardrobes, also contains sub-categories that
can be addressed individually or with other unit information.
Assessment:
A sample rubric
(link opens new browser window) is provided
and may be used to evaluate students' work or as a model for designing
your own rubric. Links to online rubric creation tools are also
provided
Unit Sections:
The
Franz Mayer Wardrobes (link opens new browser
window)
The Franz Mayer Bench (link opens new
browser window)
The
Bargueno (Writing Desk) ((link opens new
browser window)
Student
Activities (link opens new browser window)
Examples
of web search strategies used with this unit:
For furniture,
searches were made on the following types of words, and combinations
of them. (For instance, searches on furniture, and antique furniture
brought in some different hits, as did Mexican art and early Mexican
art.) Searches were made on furniture, decorative arts, Greek
art, Greek culture, Greek furniture, Archaeology, Islamic art,
et cetera. Searches of web sites for dealers of antique arts were
fruitful, but their contents will be changing periodically.
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