Native Arts of the Americas after 1300 Ashwath Radhachandran An Nguyen Jordan Kulischak P.4.

Native Arts of the Americas after 1300

Ashwath RadhachandranAn NguyenJordan Kulischak

P.4

Coyolxauhqui (She of the Golden Bells)

Name: Coyolxauhqui (She of the Golden Bells)

D: 1469P/S: MesoamericanA: UnknownM/T: Stone- low relief carvingF: Religious/Political importanceC: Sacrificed bodies lands on stoneDT: 10’ 10’’, neutral colors, detailed inscription, organic shapes, 3-D/2-D depending on angleIdeas: -sacrifice is crucial for survival of civilization (rain, good harvest, success in war)

Aerial View of Machu Picchu

Name: Aerial view of Machu Picchu

D: 15th CenturyP/S: South AmericanA: Incan workersM/T: Peruvian mountain stone--placed on top of one anotherF: Estate of an Incan ruler, shelter for limited population, astronomical observatoryC: -Incans were great architects, supreme masters of shaping and fitting stone- natural landscape, fits in with surrounding environment

DT: sectioned and organized plan, built into landscapeIdeas: - high altitude makes it difficult for enemies to attack- invisible, secluded location to avoid interactive with world

Jar

Name: jar

D:1939P/S: Native American art (modern)-DecostyleA: Maria Montoya MartinezM/T: Blackware- potteryF: decorationC: pottery is traditionally a Native American woman’s art formDT: black-on-black color (neutral), organic contour lines, elegant shapesIdeas: -possible narrative due to separation lines and unique symbols

Mayan/ Mixteca-Puebla

● Mayan books were precious vehicles for recording history, rituals, astronomical tables, calendrical calculations, maps and trade and tribute accounts.

● They were written using hieroglyphics on columns that were read from left to right, top to bottom.

● Non-Mayan books called Mixteca Oaxaca, are called codices and resemble modern books with covers of wood, mosaic or feathers.

Aztecs

● The city plan was divided into multiple sections/quarters. Due to its island location, waterways and canals assisted in transportation.

● The Spanish conquistadores admired the great architecture of Tenochtitlan but were repelled by the sacrificial rituals and the vivid and bloody art and architecture. They only cared about the gold valuables and riches in the temple and took it all back to Spain.

Aztec

● After the fall of the Toltec empire in 1200, northern invaders established city-states that were at constant war. The Aztecs were the most powerful and last of these city-states.

● They grew thier empire around the capital city, Tenochititlan. In Tenochititlan the Great Temple dedicated to the god Huitzilopchtli is an example of superimposition (additive architecture).

Incas● expert terracing and irrigation and used roads and

bridges● goods moved by llama herds and armies fought on foot● swift communication system with runners● stone steps and rope bridges to cross difficult terrain● khipu recorded calendrical and astronomical

information, census and tribute totals, inventories● use of decimal system helped record numbers up to

five-digit numbers● masters of shaping and fitting stone > stable structures,

good defensive buildings● Cuzco’s Temple of the Sun made of ashlar masonry (no

mortar)

Art in the SouthwestAnasazi ● Great monumental architecture, Chaco Canyon and Cliff Palace● Mural paintings were part of spiritual life, represented deities associated to agriculture fertility.

Used neutral colors such as brown, yellow, white, and black

Navajo● Created temporary sand paintings,dry paintings, out of sand, varicolored stones, powdered

stones, charcoal, and corn pollen. Were used for religious and healing purposes and destroyed after use.

● Weaved rugs out of sheep wool and synthetic dyes. Incorporated abstract motifs, “eye dazzlers”.

Hopi● Made Katsinas figurines,supernatural spirits personifying ancestors and natural elements that

lived in the world after death. ● During ceremonies dedicated to fertility and good hunting, masked dancers impersonated

Katsinas

Pueblo● Pottery was made without potter’s wheel, but coiled clay shapes.● Covered in paintings of decorative motifs depicting forces of nature

Art in the Northwest and the Great Plains

Northwest● Kwakiutl and Tlingit masks were used in healing rituals and dramatic

public performances. They were believed to enhance the wearer’s strength

● Yupik masks (eskimos) were only used once and only in ceremonies. Used to refer to the wearer's power to attract animals for hunting

● Haida totem poles express the social status of a family. Each pole started with a family/tribe crest and others were added after trade or marriage.

The Great Plains● During the period of reservation relocation beadwork and ledger books

flourished.● Once their nomadic lifestyle ended, Great Plain Native American artists

began to paint not only their past, but also their reaction to their new environment and they often had humorous and poignant elements.

● These paintings are important native documents during a time of great struggle.

Comparative AnalysisPericlean Acropolis and Machu Picchu

Similarities and DifferencesPericlean Acropolis:● Consists of 5 main buildings the Temple of Athena Parthenos; the Propylaia, gateway to Acropolis; the pinakotheke; the

temple of Erechtheion; and the temple of Athena Nike.● Center piece of the city-state and commands attention● The buildings of the Acropolis utilizes both Doric and Ionic order of architecture● Made by carefully carving marbles and stones in an aesthetically pleasing manner● Many narratives and decors is associated with the buildings of the Acropolis and representative of the Greek’s

obsession with the ideal and perfectionMachu Picchu● Made from peruvian mountain stone placed on top of one another● Served as an estate of an Incan ruler, shelter for limited population, and astronomical observatory● Made to fit the natural landscape and surrounding environments and utilized the environment to serve agricultural

functions as well● Invisible, and secluded location to avoid interaction with world. Therefore was left virtually untouched since its time.● Made for its functionality and demonstrates the Incan architects’ superior techniques well ahead of their time with

stairs and curved walls

Similarities● Both were built on high grounds for the strategic purpose of fending off invaders● Both were carefully planned and sectioned to serve their respective purpose● Construction of both architectural feats needed hundreds of architect and workers● Both uses distinct style and art reflective of their greatness at the time