WK #2: Methodologies and Art from History

Methodologies

different ways of interpreting art

Iconography

interpretation of art through its symbolism

Formalism

Feminism

semiotics

psychoanalysis

socialogical/maxist

Patholithic Art

nomadic hunters and gatherers; used vegetable dyes, animal oil, clay. earth-colored materials

Venus of Willendorf

Spiritual belief; fertility symbol

Hall of Bulls

“in situ”, twisted perspective

Mesolithic Art

Emphasize on human activities; hierarchic scaling (bigger = more important)

Neolithic Art

focus on agriculture and trade; start of settlements

Stone henge

astronomical observatory

Early Civilization

lived near important rivers; beginning of written language

Mesopotamia

between tigris and euphrates river

Stele

flat stone for info sharing

Law of Code Hammurabi

basalt; 1st written law in history; shared info

Victory Stele

historic piece about new royal power

Egypt

Polytheism; art buried with the dead, believed in the afterlife; utilitarian art

Palette of King Narmer

for eye makeup

Step pyramid of King Djoser

House of ka; made by Imhotep (1st architect)

Step Pyramid

limestone

Funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut

1st Egyptian ruler, prevent theft through fear

Snake Goddess

symbol of fertilty

Indus Valley Civilization

Mohendo-Daro: early settlement in india; civic engineering; fortification

Shang Dynasty

Known for potters wheel, decor, bronze techniques, their written language