Events & Activities
Art of Asia
Grades: 2-8
Length of tour: 1 hour
Tour Description
Participants compare and contrast the art from diverse cultures across the Asian continent including China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia. This cross-cultural tour offers a window on different ways of thinking, seeing, and creating art. Chinese Imperial art, samurai swords and Hindu goddesses are among the exotic and beautiful objects featured in this tour.
Goals
- To discover the unique art styles and techniques that are used to represent the traditions, customs and beliefs of Asian cultures
- To comprehend and appreciate the diversity of Asian cultures
- To explore the art in Asian cultures and how it reflects, records, and is shaped by history
Rationale
Far away places can be difficult to envision, but viewing the objects from other parts of our world can help students make the visual leap to understanding. The visual exposure to diverse cultures gives students an opportunity to discern and discuss similarities, differences and cross-cultural influences.
Topics
- Types of art forms: scroll and album paintings, wood block prints, screen painting, ceramics, cloisonne, sculpture
- Themes in Asian art: nature ’s importance, funerary beliefs, man’s place in the universe, etc.
- Art that represents the major Asian religions and philosophies such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism
- Purposes of art
- The cultural, historical and religious symbols and iconography of Asia
- The unique materials and tools used to create art in each culture i.e. ink, inkstone, paper and silk
- The three perfections: calligraphy, poetry, and painting
Arizona Education Standards
Visual Arts Standards
Strand 2: Relate
Concept #1 Artworlds (PO 002, PO 105, PO 206)
Concept #2 Materials, Tools (PO 001, PO 102, PO 304)
Concept #3 Elements & Principles (PO 001, PO 101)
Concept #4 Meanings & Purposes (PO 001, PO 102, PO 203)
Concept #5 Quality (PO 002)
Strand 3: Evaluate
Concept #1 Art Issues and Values (PO 002, PO 003
Concept #3 Elements & Principles (PO 001)
Concept #4 Meanings & Purposes (PO 001)
Concept #5 Quality (PO 001, PO 202)
Social Studies Standards
Strand 2: World History
Concept #2 Early Civilizations
Grade 2 (PO 1, PO 2)
Grade 6 (PO 5, PO 6, PO 9)