DISCOVERING THE CULTURE OF ISLAM THROUGH ISLAMIC ART Sheila Ambrosio, Noemi Charlemagne, and Lisa Rudolph Grade Level: 6 to 8 Pre-Museum In-Class Activity: Identifying Islamic Art Time : One 40-minute class period Objectives for Students • to be able to describe styles and conventions of Islamic art • to think critically about how Islamic art depicts the history and culture of Islam • to identify Islamic characteristics found in three specific pieces from the Godwin-Ternbach collection Visual Materials Slides/photos of the following objects: Mosque Lamp (Plate 3), Prayer Rug (Plate 5), and Bowl (Plate 2) Class Discussion / Procedure Introduce a brief history of Islamic Art and its characteristics. Review vocabulary while discussing handouts or slides. Since early times, Islamic art has reflected a balanced, harmonious world view and has developed a unique character utilizing a number of primary forms: geometry, calligraphy, organic/figural and medallions, which are often interwoven. Elicit responses from students about what they see. Ask questions to get students more involved with the viewing process. What does this art tell us about the people who created it? What purpose do you think these pieces had? Are they functional art? Review and discuss the following characteristics found in Islamic art: • The repetition of geometric designs
represents the infinite nature of god. • Calligraphy is considered the highest form of art since it is the language of the Koran. • Organic (flowers & plants) / figural (people & animals) represent images found in nature created by god. • Medallion designs are often the focal point or central motif Islamic art can be divided into two categories: religious and secular. Muslims believe that the creation of living things is the work of god, so they forbid portraying people and animals in their religious art. Secular objects are those found in the home. Ask students, can you think of any art objects found in your home or place of worship? What do these objects reflect about your culture? Show students images of visual materials. Have them write down the characteristics of each object. Instruct students to write their names and create a simple design using the elements of Islamic art they have learned. Materials: handout, pencils.
Museum Activity: Responding to Islamic Art Time: 1 hour Objectives for Students • to compare and contrast pieces of Islamic art discussed in prior lesson • to explore the exhibition further in search of Islamic characteristics • to utilize the exhibition in order to draw examples of geometry, calligraphy, organic/figural, and medallion forms Visual Materials Mosque Lamp (Plate 3), Prayer Rug (Plate 5), and Bowl (Plate 2) 41