5 th grade visual art training the cleveland art museum

55thth Grade Visual Art Training Grade Visual Art TrainingThe Cleveland Art MuseumThe Cleveland Art Museum

““Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our narrow-mindedness, and many of our

people need it sorely. Broad, wholesome, people need it sorely. Broad, wholesome, charitable views can not be acquired by charitable views can not be acquired by

vegetating in one’s little corner of earth.”vegetating in one’s little corner of earth.”

- Mark Twain- Mark TwainFrom From Innocents AbroadInnocents Abroad, 1869, 1869

Two Visual Art Trainings Two Visual Art Trainings in 2009-2010in 2009-2010

September 22September 22ndnd Video-Conference: Cleveland Art Museum: Video-Conference: Cleveland Art Museum:

Aztec, Maya and More! Aztec, Maya and More! with Tyson Ledgerwoodwith Tyson Ledgerwood

September 23September 23rdrd

55thth Grade Level PLC Grade Level PLC with Carey Linderwith Carey Linder

55thth Grade Visual Art Training Grade Visual Art TrainingThe Cleveland Art MuseumThe Cleveland Art Museum

School Wide Art Show 2009-2010School Wide Art Show 2009-2010

The winners of the individual school art shows will be framed and The winners of the individual school art shows will be framed and

displayed downtown atdisplayed downtown at the Center for the Arts May 1.the Center for the Arts May 1.

““The word The word artart, derived from an , derived from an ancient Indo-European root that ancient Indo-European root that

means “means “to fit togetherto fit together,” suggests as ,” suggests as much. Art is about fitting things much. Art is about fitting things together: words, images, objects, together: words, images, objects,

processes, thought, historical processes, thought, historical epochs.”epochs.”

- Jeffrey J. Schnapp- Jeffrey J. SchnappDirector of Stanford Humanities LabDirector of Stanford Humanities Lab

Stanford UniversityStanford University

Hour #1Hour #1

Virtual Classroom LessonVirtual Classroom Lesson Questions and Answers from DocentQuestions and Answers from Docent Sign-up for Video-Conference in your Sign-up for Video-Conference in your

classroom.classroom.

Front Face of a Stela (Free-standing stone with relief), Mexico, Maya c. 692 CE.

Seated Figure, Mexico, Olmec, 1200-300 BC, c. 900-300 BC,

Male and Female Figures, Mexico, Nayarit, 1st C. BCE- 4th C. CE.

Figure of a Warrior, Mexico, Aztec, c. 1350-1519. CMA

Hour #2Hour #2

““Hands On” Classroom Lesson #1Hands On” Classroom Lesson #1

“Mayan Art”“Mayan Art”

1.1. Make a faux stone finish.Make a faux stone finish.2.2. Let dry.Let dry.3.3. Cut out stencil of a “Lord” Cut out stencil of a “Lord”

or “Lady”or “Lady”4.4. Trace the shape on the side Trace the shape on the side

of your paper with pencil.of your paper with pencil.5.5. Draw the details with Draw the details with

pencil.pencil.6.6. Fill the blank space with a Fill the blank space with a

symbol that represents you symbol that represents you or your family with pencil.or your family with pencil.

7.7. Trace the lines with a Trace the lines with a black oil pastel.black oil pastel.

Hour #3Hour #3

““Hands On” Classroom Lesson #2Hands On” Classroom Lesson #2

“Aztec Art”“Aztec Art”

1.1. Put name on back of Put name on back of brown mask.brown mask.

2.2. Cut out stencil for backing.Cut out stencil for backing.

3.3. Cover the mask by gluing Cover the mask by gluing turquoise blue, light blue, turquoise blue, light blue, and dark blue and green and dark blue and green squares of paper to make a squares of paper to make a mosaic look.mosaic look.

4.4. Add rocks and beads for Add rocks and beads for decoration.decoration.

Resource KitsResource Kits

The Cleveland Art Museum The Cleveland Art Museum have a printable PDF’s on the have a printable PDF’s on the website that includes many website that includes many pages of activities including pages of activities including but not limited to art. but not limited to art.

The website link is: The website link is: http://www.clevelandart.org/ehttp://www.clevelandart.org/educef/distance/4312127.aspxducef/distance/4312127.aspx

What a Fifth Grade Needs to Know What a Fifth Grade Needs to Know about The Maya, Aztecs and More!about The Maya, Aztecs and More!

Centuries before Centuries before Europeans came to the Europeans came to the New World, great New World, great civilizations had already civilizations had already arisen in Central and arisen in Central and South America – the South America – the civilizations of civilizations of The MayaThe Maya The AztecsThe Aztecs The Incas. The Incas.

Mayan Art: Detail of Front Face of a Stela (Free-standing Stone with Relief), Mesoamerica, Southern Lowlands, Maya people (AD 250-900), Classic Period (AD 200 - 1000) 692.

What a Fifth Grade Needs to Know What a Fifth Grade Needs to Know about The Maya, Aztecs and More!about The Maya, Aztecs and More!

The Maya, in Central America, were the The Maya, in Central America, were the earliest of the three, starting as far back as earliest of the three, starting as far back as 500 B.C.500 B.C.

The Aztecs developed their empire much The Aztecs developed their empire much

later, and flourished in what is now Central later, and flourished in what is now Central Mexico.Mexico.

The Incas thrived about the same time as The Incas thrived about the same time as the Aztecs, and lived in the Andes the Aztecs, and lived in the Andes Mountains of South America. Mountains of South America.

These great early civilizations that were These great early civilizations that were inhabited by peoples who were here long inhabited by peoples who were here long before the Europeans started their small before the Europeans started their small settlements at Jamestown and St. settlements at Jamestown and St. Augustine.Augustine. Aztec Art: Aztec Art: Hunchback Seated on a Stool, Hunchback Seated on a Stool,

Central Panama, Conte Style, c. 600-800Central Panama, Conte Style, c. 600-800

Mayan CivilizationMayan Civilization

Front Face of a Stela (Free-standing Stone with Relief), Mesoamerica, Southern Lowlands, Maya people (AD 250-900), Classic Period (AD 200 - 1000) 692.

The MayaThe Maya If you travel to Guatemala If you travel to Guatemala

or parts of Mexicoor parts of Mexico You can still meet people You can still meet people

who call themselves “Maya”.who call themselves “Maya”. These people can speak he These people can speak he

Mayan language. Mayan language.

They are descendents of They are descendents of

the ancient Maya who built the ancient Maya who built and ruled dozens of highly and ruled dozens of highly civilized cities in Central civilized cities in Central America.America.

Mayan Women Weaving, Mayan Women Weaving, Francisco Dosamantes (Mexican, 1911 - 1986) (Mexican, 1911 - 1986)

The MayaThe Maya One of the most impressive One of the most impressive

Mayan cities was Tikal.Mayan cities was Tikal.

The city’s ruins can still be The city’s ruins can still be seen in a jungle in seen in a jungle in Guatemala.Guatemala.

The city has soaring temples The city has soaring temples and palaces decorated with:and palaces decorated with:

Colorful paintingsColorful paintings Writing (called hieroglyphics). Writing (called hieroglyphics).

Not many people lived Not many people lived

there.there. The city was used for special The city was used for special

religious ceremonies and religious ceremonies and sacrifices.sacrifices.


The MayaThe Maya If you were a Maya, your family’s If you were a Maya, your family’s

ancestors would be extremely ancestors would be extremely important to you. important to you.

Depending on who your ancestors were, Depending on who your ancestors were, you might spend your life asyou might spend your life as

AA laborer laborer hauling rocks from the local hauling rocks from the local quarriesquarries

A high ranking A high ranking soldiersoldier serving the serving the emperor. emperor.

The Maya believed that the elite group The Maya believed that the elite group who ruled them had descended from who ruled them had descended from the gods. the gods.

A family’s line of descent was a A family’s line of descent was a

common theme of Mayan art that common theme of Mayan art that decorated Mayan buildings included decorated Mayan buildings included the many beautifulthe many beautiful

SculpturesSculptures PaintingsPaintings WritingsWritings


The MayaThe Maya If you were a Maya, your family’s If you were a Maya, your family’s

ancestors would be extremely important ancestors would be extremely important to you. to you.

Depending on who your ancestors were, Depending on who your ancestors were, you might spend your life as you might spend your life as

A laborer hauling rocks from the local A laborer hauling rocks from the local quarriesquarries

A high ranking soldier serving the A high ranking soldier serving the emperor. emperor.

The Maya believed that the elite group The Maya believed that the elite group who ruled them had descended from the who ruled them had descended from the gods. gods.

A family’s line of descent was a common A family’s line of descent was a common

theme of Mayan art, including the many theme of Mayan art, including the many beautifulbeautiful

SculpturesSculptures PaintingsPaintings Writings that decorated Mayan buildings.Writings that decorated Mayan buildings.

Head from a Building's Façade, Mexico, Head from a Building's Façade, Mexico, Campeche, Maya style (250-900)Campeche, Maya style (250-900)

Maya Life and LearningMaya Life and Learning

Most Maya were peasants.Most Maya were peasants.

They lived outside the cities.They lived outside the cities.

They worked as laborersThey worked as laborers

They grew maize for the They grew maize for the ruling lords. ruling lords.

They visited the temple and They visited the temple and palaces (at Tikal, for palaces (at Tikal, for instance) on special occasions instance) on special occasions for religious ceremonies. for religious ceremonies.

Tripod Vessel with Lid, Mexico or Tripod Vessel with Lid, Mexico or Central America, Maya style (250-900)Central America, Maya style (250-900)

Maya Life and LearningMaya Life and Learning Inside a Mayan city, on a Inside a Mayan city, on a

normal day, you would findnormal day, you would find Crafts people Crafts people ArtisansArtisans WeaversWeavers StonemasonsStonemasons Jewelry makersJewelry makers PottersPotters They worked hard to please their They worked hard to please their

lords and princes. lords and princes.

At the royal court there were At the royal court there were people performing for their people performing for their leaders.leaders. MusiciansMusicians PoetsPoets StorytellersStorytellers

Tripod Vessel with Lid, Mexico or Tripod Vessel with Lid, Mexico or Central America, Maya style (250-900)Central America, Maya style (250-900)

Maya Life and LearningMaya Life and Learning We know that the Maya believed in We know that the Maya believed in

many gods who controlled the natural many gods who controlled the natural elements, such as elements, such as

The rainThe rain The windThe wind The sunThe sun The moonThe moon The stars The stars

The Maya were especially advanced in The Maya were especially advanced in mathematics.mathematics.

Their knowledge of math was Their knowledge of math was unequaled for many hundreds of years unequaled for many hundreds of years after their civilization had fallen. after their civilization had fallen.

They discovered the concept of zeroThey discovered the concept of zero They designed a calendar that is even They designed a calendar that is even

more accurate than the 365-day more accurate than the 365-day calendar we use today.calendar we use today.

Axe, Mexico or Central America, Maya c. Axe, Mexico or Central America, Maya c. 250-900250-900

Where Did They Go?Where Did They Go?

By AD 900, the Maya By AD 900, the Maya were no longer a were no longer a flourishing people. flourishing people.

Their soaring cities Their soaring cities

were ghost towns, to were ghost towns, to be inhabited later by be inhabited later by new peoples. new peoples.

How did an entire How did an entire civilization break civilization break down and abandon its down and abandon its cities?cities? Deer Effigy Vessel, Mexico or Central Deer Effigy Vessel, Mexico or Central

America, Maya style (250-900)America, Maya style (250-900)

Where Did They Go?Where Did They Go? Archaeologists – the scientists who Archaeologists – the scientists who

sort through the remains of ancient sort through the remains of ancient cultures – are still working like cultures – are still working like detectives to solve this ancient detectives to solve this ancient mystery. mystery.

Some think that the cities collapsed Some think that the cities collapsed because the lands were farmed so that because the lands were farmed so that the peasants revolted against the the peasants revolted against the ruling elite, leading to war and chaos. ruling elite, leading to war and chaos.

The Maya may have left the answer The Maya may have left the answer

staring us right in the face. staring us right in the face.

The code to Mayan hieroglyphics has The code to Mayan hieroglyphics has been mostly solved, and these writings been mostly solved, and these writings may explain the breakdown of a once-may explain the breakdown of a once-flourishing and highly advanced flourishing and highly advanced culture.culture.

Detail of Deer Effigy Vessel, Detail of Deer Effigy Vessel, Mexico or Central America, Mexico or Central America, Maya style (250-900) Maya style (250-900)

Aztec CivilizationAztec Civilization

Figure of a Warrior, Central Mexico, Aztec, from Tetzcoco?, 14th century after 1325.

The Aztecs: The Aztecs: The Eagle on the CactusThe Eagle on the Cactus

The Aztecs were a great warrior The Aztecs were a great warrior nation that ruled a large empire in nation that ruled a large empire in central Mexico from the late 1300s central Mexico from the late 1300s until 1519.until 1519.

In 1519 the explorer Hernando In 1519 the explorer Hernando Cortes arrived on their shores from Cortes arrived on their shores from Spain.Spain.

The Aztecs concentrated their The Aztecs concentrated their power in the magnificent city of power in the magnificent city of Tenochtitilan much of which now Tenochtitilan much of which now lies under modern-day Mexico City.lies under modern-day Mexico City.

Seated Figure Wearing a Skin, Seated Figure Wearing a Skin, Mexico, Gulf Coast, 7th-11th Century Mexico, Gulf Coast, 7th-11th Century 600-1000 600-1000


The Aztecs began as a group of The Aztecs began as a group of hunters and gatherers. hunters and gatherers.

According to Aztec legend, a According to Aztec legend, a

god told these people to stop god told these people to stop wandering when they found an wandering when they found an eagle holding a snake in its eagle holding a snake in its mouth and sitting on a prickly mouth and sitting on a prickly pear cactus.pear cactus.

The cactus was called tenochtli. The cactus was called tenochtli.

Hunchback Seated on a Stool, Central Hunchback Seated on a Stool, Central Panama, Conte Style, c. 600-800Panama, Conte Style, c. 600-800


Aztec legend holds that around Aztec legend holds that around AD 1300, these people came AD 1300, these people came across the eagle on the cactus.across the eagle on the cactus.

The cactus was on an island in The cactus was on an island in the middle of a shallow lake, the middle of a shallow lake, and the Aztecs chose to build and the Aztecs chose to build their city right then and there, their city right then and there, calling it Tenochtitlancalling it Tenochtitlan. .

The island city grew to have The island city grew to have nearly $150,000 inhabitantsnearly $150,000 inhabitants..

Hunchback Seated on a Stool, Central Hunchback Seated on a Stool, Central Panama, Conte Style, c. 600-800Panama, Conte Style, c. 600-800


Tenochtitlan had carefully planned Tenochtitlan had carefully planned avenues that led out from a great avenues that led out from a great temple. temple.

There were the sites of study and There were the sites of study and

training for the elite priests and training for the elite priests and warriors.warriors.

Smaller templesSmaller temples ShrinesShrines A royal court A royal court

Because the lake in which the city Because the lake in which the city was situated was shallow, the Aztecs was situated was shallow, the Aztecs were able to build within their citywere able to build within their city

StreetsStreets A maze of canalsA maze of canals A main thoroughfares built with A main thoroughfares built with

A water lane for canoes and raftsA water lane for canoes and rafts A dry lane for walking.A dry lane for walking.

Pedestal Bowl, Mexico, Cholula?, Pedestal Bowl, Mexico, Cholula?, Mixteca-Puebla Style, 19th-16th Century Mixteca-Puebla Style, 19th-16th Century c. 900-1519c. 900-1519


Tenochtilan amazed the Tenochtilan amazed the first Spaniards to set first Spaniards to set eyes on it; as one of them eyes on it; as one of them wrote,wrote, ““Some of the soldiers Some of the soldiers

among who had been in among who had been in many parts of the world, many parts of the world, in Constantinople, and all in Constantinople, and all over Italy and Rome, said over Italy and Rome, said thatthat so large a market so large a market place and so full of place and so full of people ,. And so well people ,. And so well regulated and arranged, regulated and arranged, they had never beheld they had never beheld before.” before.” Pedestal Bowl, Mexico, Cholula?, Pedestal Bowl, Mexico, Cholula?,

Mixteca-Puebla Style, 19th-16th Century Mixteca-Puebla Style, 19th-16th Century c. 900-1519c. 900-1519


The Aztecs gained their The Aztecs gained their power by power by

Conquering neighboring Conquering neighboring tribestribes

Demanding tribute from Demanding tribute from them them

Tributes might consist of Tributes might consist of CornCorn ClothCloth GoldGold Men Men Figure of a Warrior, Central Mexico, Aztec, Figure of a Warrior, Central Mexico, Aztec,

from Tetzcoco?, 14th century after 1325from Tetzcoco?, 14th century after 1325


The fierceness with The fierceness with which the Aztecs which the Aztecs exacted tribute made exacted tribute made them many enemies.them many enemies.

This would cost them This would cost them dearly when the Spanish dearly when the Spanish came.came.

Figure of a Warrior, Central Mexico, Aztec, Figure of a Warrior, Central Mexico, Aztec, from Tetzcoco?, 14th century after 1325from Tetzcoco?, 14th century after 1325


At the height of its power, the At the height of its power, the Aztec empire stretched fromAztec empire stretched from

The Pacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean To the Gulf of Mexico. To the Gulf of Mexico.

Its messengers and spies Its messengers and spies traveled in disguise to watch traveled in disguise to watch over warring neighbors its over warring neighbors its merchants covered great merchants covered great distances.distances.

One Aztec emperor living in One Aztec emperor living in Tenochititlan ate fresh fish Tenochititlan ate fresh fish caught and delivered daily from caught and delivered daily from what is now Veracruz on the what is now Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico.Gulf of Mexico.

Seated Male Carrying Maize, Central Mexico, Seated Male Carrying Maize, Central Mexico, Aztec style, 13th-16th century 1325-1521Aztec style, 13th-16th century 1325-1521

You can read more in depth information You can read more in depth information about the Aztecs, Mayans and More in your about the Aztecs, Mayans and More in your Core Knowledge Teacher HandbookCore Knowledge Teacher Handbook on on pages 127-130.pages 127-130.

Story timeStory time

““Art is the cleverness of Odysseus; the intimate knowledge of Art is the cleverness of Odysseus; the intimate knowledge of materials in a sculpture by Renaissance master Benvenuto materials in a sculpture by Renaissance master Benvenuto Cellini or a dress designed by Issey Miyake; the inventive Cellini or a dress designed by Issey Miyake; the inventive

genius of a Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison, or genius of a Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison, or computer visionary Douglas Englebart; the verbal craft in computer visionary Douglas Englebart; the verbal craft in

everything from an aphorism (“Time is Money”) to an everything from an aphorism (“Time is Money”) to an oration (“Four Score and seven years ago, our fathers oration (“Four Score and seven years ago, our fathers

brought forth on this continent a new nation”) to a brought forth on this continent a new nation”) to a commercial slogan (“Just Do It”). commercial slogan (“Just Do It”).

In short, art isn’t to be found In short, art isn’t to be found onlyonly in galleries and museums; in galleries and museums; it is woven into the warp and woof of an entire it is woven into the warp and woof of an entire

civilization.”civilization.”

- - Jeffrey J. SchnappJeffrey J. SchnappDirector of Stanford Humanities LabDirector of Stanford Humanities Lab

Stanford UniversityStanford University

ReferencesReferences

Text:Text: ““What a Fifth Grader Needs to What a Fifth Grader Needs to

Know” Know”

Images:Images: All Aztec and Mayan pictures are All Aztec and Mayan pictures are

from the Cleveland Art Museum’s from the Cleveland Art Museum’s website and are part of the website and are part of the collection of the Cleveland Art collection of the Cleveland Art Museum.Museum.

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