masks

Lesson 18: Harnessing Spirits: The Hornbill: Bird of Prophecy, Malaysia

Summary and Objectives

Study of a hornbill mask from Borneo introduces students to the natural history of the bird and to cultural practices related to it. Students’ study leads to visual and performing arts activities and to their understanding of and respect for omens and other beliefs that are centered on observations of the natural world. Students will

Explore the natural history and the symbolism of the hornbill in Borneo through research and artmaking activities.
Engage in performing arts activities centered on an understanding of indigenous beliefs concerning the hornbill.
Contextualize their study of the hornbill in other learning activities related to the study of the art and ritual of rice in Asia.

THIS LESSON IS PART OF:

Curriculum Resource for Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives.

Unit 3: Art and Power

Lesson 17: Harnessing Spirits: Pacific Northwest Arts, United States and Canada

Summary and Objectives

A study of selected works of art from the Pacific Northwest will introduce students to the symbolism, materials, and uses of masks, and serve as inspiration for artmaking. Another activity focuses on students’ discussion of the potlatch with its distribution of gifts. Students will

Explore the uses and visual forms of masks in the Pacific Northwest (United States and Canada) through visual analyses and artmaking activities.
Analyze the potlatch as a means of exchanging wealth and expressing status through discussion and oral language activities.
Express their interpretation of the concept of transformation through the making of masks.

THIS LESSON IS PART OF:

Curriculum Resource for Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives.

Unit 3: Art and Power

Lesson 12: Empowering Leaders: Leadership Arts of the Cameroon Grassfields, Africa

Summary and Objectives

A study of the leadership arts of the Cameroon Grassfields provides opportunities to consider how integral the arts are to notions of power and leadership. Students study the works and then consider their functions from background information they have been given. An additional activity centers on a short film, “Pageantry in the Palace,” and students discuss and develop in writing their reactions to the film. Students will

Explore the integral connection between art and power in the Cameroon Grassfields through research and creative word games.
Gain insight into the culture of the Cameroon Grassfields by viewing and analyzing a short film on royal pageantry.
React and respond to notions of pageantry among peoples of the Cameroon Grassfields and compare these to practices in their own lives.

Video: Intersections: Pageantry in the Palace - Bamum Kingdom, Cameroon

THIS LESSON IS PART OF:

Curriculum Resource for Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives.

Unit 3: Art and Power