Objectives:
1.
|
Students will search for visual clues within various Mexican art pieces that give them information about the time period and culture at the Yale Art Gallery.
|
2.
|
Students will identify symbols that are visible in the artworks.
|
3.
|
Students will come to realize that through the use of a broad range of visual symbols, a piece of art can convey a message about the culture.
|
4.
|
Attempt to analyze and interpret the ideas expressed within each artwork.
|
Resources: Yale Art Gallery/ Mesoamerican Art Collection
Additional Standards Addressed:
Content Standard 7.0
Students will use museums, galleries, the art community, libraries, architectural tours, and multi-media to expand their visual knowledge beyond the classroom and to experience activities for life-long learning and career options.
Performance Standards 7.1
Students will use museums, galleries, the art community, libraries, architectural tours, and multi-media to expand their visual knowledge beyond the classroom.
a. Students will select one work of art in a museum or gallery and write a short evaluation of the work using aesthetic criteria and principles.
Vocabulary:
-
Interpretation, symbol, analysis, juxtaposition.
Materials:
Various objects from the Mesoamerican culture exhibition, writing paper, pencil or pens.
Instruction:
1.
|
Briefly review and discuss the Mesoamerican art exhibition collection at the Yale Art Gallery.
|
2.
|
Focus the students=ð attention on the art from the Olmec, Aztec, and Maya cultures.
|
3.
|
Have students break up into small groups. Student will now study and observe the various symbols and determine the meaning of the symbols. (Explain to each group that they will receive a group grade for their responses.)
|
4.
|
Using the information that each group has gathered have students attempt to interpret the meanings and use of some of the artworks. Have each group report its findings orally. (The teacher should keep track of the responses.)
|
5.
|
Students will write a one-page critique about the Mesoamerican art pieces.
|
Evaluation:
1.
|
Note the information gathered by each group to assess their levels of understanding of Mesoamerican art. Denote whether students were able to analyze and interpret the meaning of each art piece.
|
2.
|
Observe the level of participation of each student for this activity.
|