1. Cultures have converged throughout history. The convergence has influenced artist to create artwork influenced by another culture. Pick two different artworks from the AP LIST and clearly identify, one needs to be from the European tradition in which the artwork was influenced by another culture. Using specific visual evidence explain the cultural influences in each artwork and also give contextual information. (Spend 30 minutes)
2. Across the world, sites and structures have been the destination of people on religious pilgrimages. Select and clearly identify two sites or structures of religious pilgrimages from the AP List. Your choices must come from two different cultural traditions; at least one of your choices must come from beyond the European tradition. Using specific visual evidence, analyze how features of each site or structure shaped the intended experience of the pilgrims. (Spend 15 min)
(When identifying the work you select, you should try to include all of the following identifiers: title or designation, name of the artist and/or culture of origin, date of creation, and materials. You will earn credit for the identification if you provide at least two accurate identifiers, but you will not be penalized if any additional identifiers you provide are inaccurate.)
Tomb of the Triclinium in Italy is a piece that I feel has been influenced by African culture. This is because in the African culture funeral ceremonies were a big part of the religion in this form. If I was to compare this work to another, I would compare it to Standard of UR from the Royal Tombs in Mali. This is because they are both tombs with artwork surrounding the walls all of which is significant to the ceremony. The paintings at the piece in Italy resembled their way of living and the Royal Tombs also had a similar approach. With symbolic meanings of war and peace, that was something very apparent in African society during the time.
ReplyDeleteAcross the world, many come to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza. The Great Pyramids have a strong, recognized, culture behind the making of it. The making of these pyramids is something extremley important along with the rulers which makes these pyramids worth visiting. Along with this another place that is visited by many would be the stonehenge, this is because of how big and old the structure is, many around the world visit this structure do to that fact along with the process of construction.
The Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus in Rome, Italy, 250-260 C.E. stylistically, is very different than most Italian art at that time, because it was influenced by Grecian culture. In Greece, art was being revolutionized by the fact than sculptures, paintings, and any media of art was diverging from the traditional stone and marble sculptures of the idealized form, to creating figures full of movement and emotion. You can see this in the Niobides Krater, created long before this sarcophagus. But, nonetheless, the same amount of movement and emotions can be seen in this sarcophagus made by the Romans. Another piece that shows influences from another culture is the San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, 525 A.D. an octagonal church, ordinary from the outside but outstanding on the inside due to the Byzantine mosaics. Mosaics originated in early Mesopotamia, now the Middle East, and spread to Greece. These mosaics use gold, and beautifully colored stones to create a heaven-like appearance in the church, and this effect is very much borrowed from the Greek Orthodox church style.
ReplyDeleteOne destination that thousands of people flood to every year is The Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 2000 B.C.E. There are many religious ceremonies that revolve around The Kaaba for Muslims, such as circling around The Kaaba five times, symbolizing the five pillars of the Islam faith, and then journeying to Arafat, taking the route Muhammed would have taken. One of the features that shapes the pilgrims experience there is the black covering, with gold detailing because black is one of Islam's holy colors, and the gold symbolizes divineness. Therefore the pilgrims would get a sense of greatness when they experience The Kaaba. Another destination that people pilgrimage to is Ranakpur Temple, India, 15th century. People go to the temple to celebrate the Jain culture, and to conduct ceremonies for the Jain faith. One feature that shapes the pilgrims experience at the Ranakpur Temple is the stupa like structures that are all over the top of the temple. Traditionally stupas are seen in Buddhist temples, but because stupas also have to do with cosmology, the main pillar of Jain faith. With these Stupas lining the temple on all sides, pilgrims would get a sense of peace and enlightenment, just because of the architecture.
The Portrait of East India Company Official is a good example of European cultural influences on Indian Art. The East India Trading company at the time was apart of both trading and military operations in India. When the European officials had stayed long enough in India, they occasionally wanted paintings of themselves assimilated with the native culture as a sort of parting gift. Tomb of the Triclinium, however, is an influence of Grecian culture onto the art of Italy. The Greek artistic style, at the time, had moved away from standard scenes or poses of figures to more flowing and movement in their pieces, which is something scene in the figures on the walls of the tomb.
ReplyDeleteThe Kaaba in Mecca is often one of the most frequently traveled artistic places visited by Muslims. This is primarily because, in the Muslim tradition, it is necessary to go on a pilgrimage once in their life. This means that there is a constant religious worshipping that surrounds the site. This makes the site itself need to be large in order to house all the worshippers. The box is often covered by a black cloth with gold detail as if to create a sense of awe for the worshippers. Another frequently traveled site is Stonehenge up in Europe. This is particularly fascinating as there is a sense of mystery in its purpose and function (it is believed to serve as a sort of solar calendar). It's location leads it to be easily assessable to many people and sunlight.
The painting of the sultan Melhmet II is an example of European culture influencing Indian Art. It shows cultures wanting to be shown assimilating with each other. It shows respect, wish to trade and to be associated with each other. It is a mix of Italian/traditionally Western European art with Middle Eastern art. The Tomb of the Triclinium show Greek influence on Italian art. It shows the fluid art style and away from rigid, pious postures.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Pyramid of Giza is an example of a high visited place. Once very important to the Egyptian cultures, it often is visited to observe the massive accomplishments of ancient rulers. The Kaaba is frequently visited by Muslims. It is a once a year trek to Mecca to go on this pilgrimage. They go here to worship. The site is huge to accommodate all the visitors.