Category: Art

One particularly hot topic in the ancient art world is the unification of the Parthenon marbles. Many of you might be aware that there exists a large collection of the marbles housed in The British Museum and were commonly known as the Elgin Marbles after Lord Elgin, who acquired them in Athens between 1801-1805. Understandably, Greece, specifically Athens, would like them back to be housed and displayed accordingly.

The British Museum argues that since the marbles were obtained in accordance with the laws of the time (before establishment of provenience laws), they own them and since the British Museum is an internationally known institution, more people are able to view, study and learn from them at their current location.

Greece argues that with the summer Olympics of 2004 and the building of the Acropolis Museum, they are now able to house the sculptures and show them appropriately.

Conduct online research on the Parthenon Marble controversy, using the research techniques we learned about in the previous module. What do you make of this? Should the marbles stay where they are in the British Museum or be returned? Why? What about the way in which the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum handle the debatewhat did you learn from the two museum’s websites? How does this controversy showcase the importance of the Parthenon and its legacy?

Read the following excerpts from the book Ethnographic Thinking: Hasbrouck – Intro Ch 1-4 .pdfPreview the document

Read the Introduction entitled – A Starting Place (p.1-6)

Read two chapters out of the four following chapters, that outlines the key qualities of ethnographic thinking:

Chapter 1: Cultivating Curiosity
Chapter 2: Expanding Awareness
Chapter 3: Deferring Judgement
Chapter 4: Adapting Thoughtfully

Discussion:

In a concise document (12pt font, single spaced) PDF format respond to the following OR a short video of yourself of max 4-6 minutes:

Question 1: According to Hasbrouck, what are some of the limits of design thinking (when practiced on its own)? [Focus on the content in the introduction here; 150-300 words]

Questions 2: Reflect on the qualities of ethnographic thinking you read, and answer, the following questions:

– Give a short explanation of the two qualities and why each one is important according to Hasbrouck [150-300 words]
– Choose one of the qualities, and explain how you think this quality could be important or helpful for your own research project you are completing this class. Pay attention to how these qualities help shift existing practices/thinking. [150-300 words]
Evaluation:

Respond to the discussion in a meaningful way — 5%

Compare and/or contrast two columns created by different cultures (The Palace at Knossos – Minoan Columns and Temple of Hera II – Greek Columns) in a three-paragraph minimum essay. Upload or embed jpeg image(s) of your selections and provide a description of each column and brief background to the history of the building from which it came. How does each column reflect the culture and the time period?

Make sure to include a list of your research sources and sources for your images and to provide critique/responses to your classmates work.

Factors to include in your response:

– Culture/artist (Who produced it?)
– Period/style (When and where was it produced?)
– Function/symbolism/themes (What was its purpose? Why was it produced? What symbolic meaning or message does it convey to the viewer?)
– Physical context (How was it used? How does it relate to its environment? Where was it located?)
– Scale (What size is it?)
– Subject matter (Who or what is the subject? Doesnt apply to architecture.)
– Sacred or secular (Is it religious or non-religious in function and/or subject?)
– Stylistic conventions (abstract/realistic?) What recurring techniques, devices or motifs are used? How are the figures and forms rendered?)
– Cultural context (What was going on historically, socially, politically, and religiously during the period in which it was produced? How does this example relate to its cultural context)

Paintings
1. Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi, Annunciation, Siena Cathedral, 1333

2. Attributed to Robert Campin, Annunciation panel of the Mrode Altarpiece, c. 1430

Prompt
How do Simone Martini and Robert Campin envision the Annunciation in similar and different ways?

In your analysis, be sure to discuss:
–What is the subject of the artworks and what narrative is portrayed?
–Formal qualities of both artworks
–Organization of the composition
–How do both artists use symbolism in their paintings?
–Setting of both paintings
–Which painting reflects innovation and which reflects continuity with the past?

Move through the following steps to complete the assignment:

1. Learn about both works of art through research and reading. (We learned about Martini’s painting in Gardner’s Late Medieval Italy chapter.) Be sure to note the academic sources you reference; you’ll submit a works cited list. (See #4)

2. This website may be a useful resource for learning about the symbolism included in both artworks. https://www.christianiconography.info (Links to an external site.)

Use these images to support your research and analysis. You may also use them as visual aids in your recorded analysis.
Annunciation Panel, Merode Altarpiece Images

Artwork Analysis: Simone Martini and Robert Campin

3. Take time to look closely at both artworks and make a list of comparative points (similarities and differences). Organize your list in the format used for the previous assignment (Formal and Art Historical Analysis) on formal and art historical analysis. (You’ll submit your notes for credit.)

4. Include two academic sources in addition to our textbook that you used to learn about the artworks in a works cited list at the bottom of your comparative list. Use APA or MLA style.

5. Refer back to your research and what you learned about both paintings as well as what you noted about their formal qualities to develop the comparative list into a more complete analysis. (Refer back to the content on artwork analysis in previous modules if you need help here.)  Decide how you’ll talk through the comparison in order to respond to the prompt.

Pick one  of the following discussion questions and write a paragraph response.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1)Describe a major symbol in The Love Suicides at Sonezaki. What does it represent?

2) Briefly compare and contrast The Love Suicides at Sonezaki with Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet.

The discussion forum is a place for us to get to know each other and share our thoughts as a class. You are expected to contribute to every discussion, writing at least a paragraph.  I consider a paragraph to be about five sentences in length. You are encouraged to respond to and like each others posts.