Global Art Dossier

Global Art Options

• In addition to the already filled out chart, you will fully answer (typed, full paragraphs, complete sentences) ONE of the thematic questions presented below. No length requirement, should be long enough to cite visual evidence, and fully answer the question. The choice is yours of which one you want to respond to.

THEMATIC ESSAY OPTIONS

Read the question and take a moment to think about and understand what the question asks.

1. Cultural attitudes about women are often revealed in art

Select and fully identify two works of art that depict one or more women. The works must come from two different cultures, one of which must be from beyond the European tradition. Explain how each work reveals its culture’s attitudes about women.

2. Violence

Throughout history, art representing hostility or violence has been used for a variety of purposes.

Select and fully identify two such works of art from different cultures, one of which must be from beyond the European tradition. Explain how and why each work of art communicates hostility or violence.

3. Nature

Representations of the natural world or motifs from nature are found in the art of all time and places.

Choose and fully identify two appropriate works of art from different cultures. One of your choices must be from beyond the European tradition.

Explain why and how each work uses representations of the natural world or motifs from nature.

4. Narration (telling a story)

Most cultures have made use of art’s narrative function.

Select and fully identify two works of art that visually convey a narrative. At least one of your choices must be from beyond the European tradition. Identify the subject of each narrative and discuss the means used to convey the narrative

5. Human Figure

This question asks you to explore the stylistic relationships between form and content of figurative art.

How a culture is perceived is often expressed in depictions of the human figure. Choose two specific representations of the human body from different cultures. Only one of your choices may be from a European artistic tradition. Discuss significant aspects of each culture that are revealed by the way in which the human body is depicted

6. Architecture as Power and Authority

Many cultures use architecture to express or reinforce power and authority.

Choose two works of architecture from different cultures, identifying each work as fully as possible. At least one work must come from beyond the European tradition. Discuss how each work conveys power and authority.

7. Sacred Space

1) Virtually all of the world’s cultures have defined sacred space for religious purposes. The design and appearance of these spaces vary greatly. Fully identify two specific sacred spaces, at least one of which must be from beyond the European tradition. For each choice, discuss the relationship between the appearance of the space and its religious function.

2) Cultures designate sacred space in a variety of ways to accommodate both religious beliefs and practices. Select and fully identify two examples of sacred spaces from different cultures, one of which must be from beyond the European tradition. Discuss how each space accommodates both religious beliefs and practices within its culture.

3) Many cultures designate spaces or create structures for religious devotion. Choose two specific examples, each from a different culture. At least one culture must be non-European or non-European based. Identify your examples and their cultures. Discuss the ways in which your examples create places appropriate for religious devotion in each culture. Consider (if applicable) plan, orientation, site, structure, ornamentation, etc.

4) Artists within a culture often use depictions of ancestors, siblings, couples, or other types of family groupings to communicate larger social, political, mythical, and historical concerns. Select and fully identify two works, in any medium, that represent family groupings or relationships. The works should come from two different cultures. At least one of the two examples must be from beyond the European tradition. Discuss the specific cultural concerns the work communicates and analyze the visual means used to communicate those concerns.

8. Power and Authority

Choose two specific images of power and authority, each produced in a different culture. At least one must come from a non-European-based tradition. How does each work of art convey that particular culture’s notion of what constitutes power and authority?

9. Religious Images

In many cultures, artists have produced images for religious use.

Name two images, such as wall decorations, sculptures, or other objects, each from a different culture. At least one image must be from a non-European or non-European-based culture. Discuss how the images conform to the beliefs of the culture in which they were produced, and in what ways each contributed to reinforcing those beliefs.

10. Propaganda

Throughout history, art has been used as propaganda to shape public opinion. Propaganda takes many forms, such as architecture, paintings, and print media, and is used to promote religious, political, and social ideologies. Select and fully identify two works, in any medium, that were used to shape public opinion. One of your examples must date before 1900 C.E., and one must date after 1900 C.E. Citing specific elements in each work, analyze how each work conveyed its propagandistic message to its intended audience.