Discussions on the art of the Americas with a forum focusing on the Southwest cultures. You may select one of the three discussion topics below.
Identify the culture or civilization that created the ceramic ware as well as the approximate date of its creation.
Topic # 1 Ceramics
Painted ceramics have been an important artform in the cultures of the southwestern United States from the period of the Hohokam culture until the present day. For this topic, please select an example of painted ceramic ware from the readings and discuss the following aspects of the decoration.
1) Identify the culture or civilization that created the ceramic ware as well as the approximate date of its creation.
2) Is the major design element abstract, geometric, anthropomorphic or zoomorphic? Is there a combination of styles? How would you describe the relationship between the painted decoration and the vessel? For example, does the decoration cover the entire surface of the vessel or only part of it? What area of the vessel is the design concentrated in? Is the design repetitive and does it create a pattern? What types of shapes, such as circles, diamonds and triangles do you see? These are just examples of some of the ways you could describe the patterns you see. Corbin does a very good job describing painted decoration in pages 61-69 of your readings if you need more help in this area.
3) describe the possible functions of the vessel. Was it created for ceremonial, utilitarian or decorative purposes? For example, the famous painted vessels from Mogollon culture were used for burial purposes.
Topic # 2 Kivas of Anasazi culture
For topic # 2 , please describe the function of the Kiva within Anasazi culture. You should include at least one example of a kiva or a painting from the interior in your discussion. Describe how the painting reflects the ceremonial nature of the kiva by describing its subject matter and relation to ceremonies (initiation, ceremonies related to agriculture).
Topic # 3 Kachina of the Hopi culture
For this topic, I would like you to describe the manifestation of the Hopi belief of “Kachina” in artistic form. In addition to supernatural forces, a Kachina is a costume or doll which embodies and represents these forces.
For this topic:
1) Please select a Kachina doll, costume or mask and identify the culture that created it as well as the materials used in its creation.
2) Describe the ceremonial function of the kachina.
Answer preview identify the culture or civilization that created the ceramic ware as well as the approximate date of its creation.
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