The World of Islam
Due Dates:
6th Hour - Wednesday, Oct 28th
1st Hour - Thursday, Oct 29th
Choice 1: Mandala or Pattern Drawing
For this choice, you will be drawing either a mandala that is inspired by the ones found in Islamic art or you can fill a page in your sketchbook with a tessellated, detailed pattern using the same techniques the artist in the Islamic world use to create their patterns.
(You will need a compass and ruler for these project. These can be found in your Art History Material Supply Kit at the Front Office)
If you choose to do the mandala, you can either lay out the space using a simple circle and perpendicular lines as your grid to build upon (as seen in the videos) or you can start with the 4, 5, or 6 fold star as seen in the Islamic patterns. Please look at the videos and examples to the left for further instruction and guidance.
Your mandala needs to be 8" x 8" completed and have 12 or more layers of detail radiating from the center if you choose black and white OR 8 layers radiating from the center if it is colored.
You will upload a picture of your mandala in the Google Classroom assignment
If you choose to do the full page of tessellated pattern, then you will fill a full page of your pad of drawing paper with a pattern found in the Islamic world. You can use either a 4, 5, or 6 fold start to begin your pattern.
Your pattern needs to have clean lines and be 50% colored in. Please see the videos and images to the left to get further instruction on this project. You pattern needs small enough to show 3 or more repeats one direction and 2 or more the other direction on the page.
Tip: Draw your pattern out on a sheet of your sketchbook and finish it with the black sharpie in your kit. Rip the page out of your sketchbook and tape it to a window. Then rip out a page from the drawing paper pad and place it on top of the page taped to the window. After you are done drawing the first part of the pattern, move your top page over and align the taped pattern to the one you just drew. Keep repeating this until the page is full.
You will upload a picture of your pattern in the Google Classroom assignment
Choice 2: Islamic Inspired Mosaic Tile Project
For this project you will be making a mosaic using small pieces of construction paper. You will need your Art History Supply Kit from the front office to do this project. In the kit, you will find glue, scissors, a ruler, a compass, and construction paper.
This project will be open for your interpretation of what you want to mosaic. You can either use a pattern, similarly found in Islamic Art or you can mosaic an image of your liking, such as nature, a portrait of a person, or a building.
The final piece needs to be 8" x 11" (your sketchbook page, drawing paper page, or a sheet of construction paper) and the mosaic "tiles" need to be 1/2" x 1/2" or smaller.
I recommend you sketch out your idea and quickly color it in your sketchbook so that you can have an idea of what to do. Then transfer your idea/sketch to the large piece you will be glue your tiles onto. Make sure to draw lightly so that the pencil marks do come come through in your gaps
You will then cut the construction paper into 1/2" strips and then cut the strips into 1/2" chunks to make your tiles. As you work on laying out your tiles and design, you might need to cut your 1/2" x 1/2" tiles smaller or at angles. That is ok. If you have small gaps between the tiles, that is ok too!
If you find the 1/2" x1/2" tiles too large, you can work smaller. It will just take more time but end up be a much more detailed piece.
Once you have your piles of colored tiles, start laying out your mosaic. I would not start glueing right away as you might change your mind or change a color. Once you are a 100% sure, then begin glueing down.
I did mine in sections and then glued. You can peal up the tiles if you change your mind later on
You will include an image of your final mosaic in the Google Classroom assignment.
Choice 3: Islamic Art Making Research Paper
For this art history research project, you will be writing a 2+ page paper about one of the different art forms used in Islamic Art. This can range from painting, to textiles, to architecture. You will follow the layout below on what topics should be included in your paper and questions I want you to answer throughout the paper. Please do not only answer my questions with one sentence and then move to the next paragraph. Each paragraph should be 5-8 sentences long. You will need to include 3 sources of reference at the end of the paper as well.
You will choose one of the art forms we covered in this unit: painting, textiles, ceramics, metalsmith, architecture, and glass. You will research about the history and techniques used to make art with one of these forms of art.
Your first paragraph needs to include the history of the art form.
Where did originate? What other cultures used this type of art before it was used by the Islamic World? How was it used throughout history?
Your second paragraph needs to include HOW this form of art is made.
Briefly describe the process to make this type of art form. What techniques were used to create the art? What tools, materials or spaces are needed to create the art? What skills or education were needed to be a master in this art form?
Your third paragraph needs to include how this art form was used and who were the typical people who used it.
What was the main purpose for this art form? How was it used in the Islamic world? Were they different variations of this made for different groups of people or social status?
Your fourth paragraph needs to include how this form of art differed from other cultures around the world.
How did the Islamic version of this art form compare to the other cultures around the globe at that time? How was it different? Was there different materials, patterns or symbols used? Was there different techniques used to make it? Were there different social groups that used or purchased this form of art compared to what was found in the Islamic world?
Your fifth paragraph will be your opinion on the art form and what you found most appealing about it. Would you own a piece like this? Would you make a piece of artwork like this?
You must include a bibliography with a minimum of 3 sources.
Use the following resources to begin your search
You will upload your final paper into Google Classroom Assignment.