Submitted by: Maria
Lengauer, The High School for Creative and Performing Arts (known
as CAPA) in Philadelphia, PA (lesson written from Maria's student
examples)
UNIT: Sculptural Ceramics - Pre-Columbian Art - Organic/Zoomorphic
form
Lesson: Abstract Animal Tripod
Grade Level: High School (examples are ninth grade - adaptable to
middle school)
Click for larger images
Objectives: Learner
will
Materials:
- Integrate planning - problem solving
- Combine handbuilding techniques to
create zoomorphic form
- Demonstrated craftsmanship in
forming and decorating tripod vessel
- Compare and contrast ceramics by
various Pre-Columbian cultures.
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Clay (a good
sculpture clay like Amaco Buff),
clay tools, canvas, boards, plastic bags, slip dishes,
assorted glazes |
Lesson summary:
Students are given the assignment
to design a vessel inspired by animals. They are to simplify the animal -
stylize it - abstract. Using pinching and coiling together, make the pot
stand on 3 points using animal parts. After the art making, students are
introduced to Pre-Columbian ceramics. They compare and contrast the similarity
of their vessels to those of pre-Columbian cultures. Then delve more into
Pre-Columbian art and culture - learning about purposes for the various
vessels. Note: An overview of Pre-Columbian art could be presented.
Essential Understanding:
Artists are inspired by their surroundings in their art
making. Nature serves as inspiration.
Artists abstract nature - forms inspired by animals are
called zoomorphic.
Pre-Columbian ceramics served for ritual
purposes/ceremonies/burials as well as functional purposes in daily living.
Similarities can be found in the way Pre-Columbian cultures formed their
ceramics and in decorating techniques. Purpose of vessel determined form.
Resources:
Motivation:
- Optional: Present a slide show/PowerPoint of various
ceramic works through time to give students an over view of ceramic
history. Do not show zoomorphic Pre-Columbian tripod vessels at this time.
Optional: Present an brief overview of Pre-Columbian art. Maria showed
students a basic tripod vessel - but NOT animal forms.
- Review ceramic handbuilding techniques.
- Define vocabulary - ritual vessel - zoomorphic -
tripod.
- Give students problem to solve: Create a tripod
vessel -combined with animal forms - using pinch and coil techniques. They
are to be inspired by animals they have seen - abstracting and
simplifying.
- Follow-up activity:
Show students examples of Pre-Columbian zoomorphic forms and tripod
vessels. Discuss purposes of vessels (Costa Rican tripod vessels I
found were for chocolate) Compare to those made by students.
Optional: Students can research individual Pre-Columbian cultures and
present report to group.
Procedures:
- Students brainstorm on animals they might wish to use
- and purpose for their own "ritual vessel". Make sketches of
animals. Simplify and abstract.
- Develop some of the sketches into drawings for tripod
vessel. Select best one to construct.
- Using pinch and coil technique - make the main bowl
portion of vessel.
- Form animal part legs - and other extensions
- Fuse legs, heads, etc onto bowl of vessel.
- Allow to dry to bone dry stage - bisque fire
- Glaze - select glazes that are aesthetically
appealing to form.
- Compare and contrast student examples with Pre-Columbian
ceramics. Student write a reflection - write about "ritual" use
for their vessel.
In
progress
work;
Click for larger image
Technology (optional):
- Present overview of Pre-Columbian art - and
some ceramic history via PowerPoint
- Present PowerPoint of Pre-Columbian ceramics
AFTER art making experience
- Students research Pre-Columbian culture of
their choice (via Internet) to present to the class.
Assessment: modified from rubric by
Marianne Galyk
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Assessment
Rubric
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Student Name:
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Class Period:
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Assignment:
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Date Completed:
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Circle the
number in pencil that best
shows how well you feel that you completed that criterion for the
assignment.
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Excellent
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Good
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Average
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Needs
Improvement
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Rate
Yourself
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Teacher’s
Rating
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Criteria 1 – Student planning -
sketches - problem solving
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10
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8 to 9
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7
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6
or less
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Criteria 2 – Forming
techniques - abstraction of animal form - supported on three legs?
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10 |
8 to 9
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7
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6
or less
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Criteria 3 – Aesthetics of glazing
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10
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8 to 9
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7
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6
or less
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Criteria 4 – Effort: took time to
develop idea & complete project? (Didn’t rush.) Good use of class
time?
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10
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8 to 9
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7
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6
or less
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Criteria 5 – Craftsmanship – Neat, clean & complete? Skillful use of the
art tools & media?
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10
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8 to 9
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7
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6
or less
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Total
Possible: 50
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YOUR TOTAL
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Grade
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Student
Comments:
Teacher
Comments:
Student Reflection:
TRIPOD
ANIMAL POT REFLECTION
Name___________________________
Date_________ Period___
*Answer all
questions in full descriptive sentences
- What
are the qualities you like about your pot? Why?
- What
would you do differently if you could create it over again?
What would you change, what would you keep?
- What
were the greatest obstacles you faced with this project? How
did you resolve them? If you did not resolve them, why? BE
SPECIFIC AND DETAILED!
- What
important “clay knowledge” did you gain from this project?
What more did your learn about the personality of the clay?
- On the following sheet of paper
sketch a your tripod animal pot to fit the page
