-
What can you tell about Kongo culture by studying this figure?
- What was your first reaction to this figure? Its function was
to serve the well-being of a community as part of a system of
justice. Does knowing the purpose of the object change your feelings
about it?
- Nails were hammered into this figure when important agreements
were made between people or villages. In what ways are agreements
or vows sealed in America today?
- Is this sculpture art or artifact? Why? Do you think its creator
intended it as art? Can we consider it art even if it was not
intended as art?
- This figure served a civic function. Can something functional
can also be considered art? Is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington,
D.C., art? How about the Eiffel Tower in Paris?
- Why do you think this figure is in an art museum? Do you think
it should be in an art museum? What is the difference between
this figure and a written contract?
ART ACTIVITY
Form Follows Function
In what way does the appearance of this sculpture help to serve
its function? What effect does texture have on the visual impact
of this sculpture? How do the mirrors contribute to the effect?
Create a sculpture which is both functional and visually sculptural.
ART/SOCIAL STUDIES ACTIVITY
Aesthetics Around the World
The answer to the question, "What is art" is not the same
for all cultures. The idea of special objects made as "fine
art" is not common to all cultures. Aesthetic traditions are
visible in everything a culture produces, including functional objects.
Compare the art of three different cultures. What do you think
is the status of art in each culture? How do you think the people
in each culture would define art?
LANGUAGE ARTS/SOCIAL STUDIES ACTIVITY
Arguments and Agreements
Think of a conflict in your classroom that has not yet been resolved.
Discuss possible solutions to the problem and write a contract that
seals an agreement between the two arguing parties. What will happen
if you break the contract?
SOCIAL STUDIES ACTIVITY
World Civics
Research civil and judicial systems from at least three different
cultures or countries. How are disagreements settled and agreements
sealed? What consequences exist for breaking an agreement or contract?
In what ways are these systems similar to that of the United States?
How do they differ?
| 
