Thursday, December 18, 2014

A MAP that was found...brings NEW LIGHT to the past

Read the article about "A world map made by Ottoman cartographer and military admiral, Piri Reis, casts some doubt on what we think we know about ancient civilization". The map was created in the 1500s and includes land not discovered and written about until the 1800s.

Read the article to discover how much we still can learn about HUMAN HISTORY!

Tracing INNOVATION...Through TOOLS

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum is reopening in NYC. One of the exhibits they showcase is TOOLS. The exhibition traces human ingenuity, craftsmanship, and development through the tools they used. Read the article to gain an understanding of the tools that were deemed significant...like the POSTAGE STAMP!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

BONUS...Museum and/or Architecture/ART

This BONUS applies from 12-19-14 till the last day of May 2015. It can be done a MAXIMUM of 4 times.

What do you need to do?

There are a few options...if you do this multiple times, you must pick a different option each time.

OPTION 1: VISIT a MUSEUM ... save your admission ticket. Take notes in the museum (WITH A PENCIL or use an IPAD). What artwork was your favorite? Why? Research about the artist and the style of the artwork. Share with your peers what you learned in a Powerpoint or Prezi. If the work was BET ... connect with a Western Artwork...or vice versa. Bring admission tkt the day you present...that is the MONDAY AFTER you were at the museum.

OPTION 2: VISIT A MUSEUM:
....save your admission ticket. Bring admission tkt the day you present...that is the MONDAY AFTER you were at the museum. Visit one of the SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS, not part of the permanent collection. NOTICE how the artworks are hung...what is directly in the line of sight when you walk into a room? What is in the center of the space? How is the exhibition arranged to get you to "flow" through the space? What was the exhibition about? Share your observations with your classmates.

OPTION 3: VISIT A MUSEUM:
....save your admission ticket. Bring admission tkt the day you present...that is the MONDAY AFTER you were at the museum. Notice where the crowds are in the musuem. Are people looking at the MOST POPULAR artwork...one that may be famous/well-known or are they looking at artwork they find fascinating? Are people interacting with the art and/or talking with others about the art? Are people quiet and focused?

OPTION 4: Notice the architecture of the community. What buildings are tallest? What buildings have the largest "footprint on land"? What does the structure of the city say about its priorities? How old is the city? In what style is the architecture? Are some buildings "older"and some "newer"? How do the ages of the buildings fit in with one another?

OPTION 5: CITY PLANNING. How is the city structured...is it a grid system, concentric circles, or something different? If there appears to be no city planning and all that is evident is URBAN SPRAWL, say so! Why do you think the city is planned the way it is? does it work for the city in 2014/2015 as it may have when it first was imagined? Explain. Share with your peers.

OPTION 6: ART in PUBLIC SPACES. Notice art that is OUTSIDE for everyone to enjoy or art that is in public spaces like an airport, office building, etc. How does the art in public spaces connect with the space in which it is placed? Do people appear to notice the art or does it appear to be "wallpaper" to those you observe? In what year was the artwork made and installed? How does it reflect the era in which it was made? Is it still relevant today? Share with your peers. TAKE pictures of the artwork if you can and then present to the class in a PPT or PREZI.

AMENHOTEP III ... NEW DISCOVERY....

I read an article today, Archaeologists unveil restored statue of pharaoh Amenhotep III after collapse more than 3,000 years ago that I thought you would be interested in reading also.

We discussed in class the amazing creations of ancient civilizations that stand today. Mother nature, not poor craftsmanship, caused this statue to be hidden for generations. In 1200BC an earthquake toppled the giant statue and broke it into pieces. The conservation of the statue and the Amenhotep III Temple is made possible by private donations.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Intersession Assignmnets


STEP 1: Read Chapters 19-20-21
Complete WKBK ... turn in WKBK the first day of Semester 2

Complete the following Discussion Questions and Upload to Turnitin.com:
Chapter 19 DQ 1 and 5 due 1-8-15
Chapter 20 DQ 4 and 5 due 1-15-15
Chapter 21 DQ 6 and 9 due 1-22-15


STEP 2: Prepare for the Artist Reports. One per month during semester 2 ... DUE the first day of class in Feb/March/April/May/June.
Document: 1415ClassArtistPresentations on the HOMEPAGE Of the Class Website.

STEP 3: Complete the Self-Test in the Back of Volume 1 WKBK.

FYI...there will be an assignment that is DUE BY THE END OF EASTER BREAK...or ANYTIME BEFORE...1415StuartCollection on class homepage

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Thomas Hart Benton

The Smithsonian Magazine published an article that explains how Thomas Hart Benton used his travel as inspiration for his masterpieces. The article, The Story Behind Thomas Hart Benton's Incredible Masterwork, can be read by following this link.

Thomas Hart Benton captured the essence of American through his experiences. He understood the diversity of the
country and the people in it.