Friday, October 25, 2024

What ANIMAL do you identify with, love to look at and/or think is awesome?



You will be designing one ceramic pendant that is the silhouette of an animal that you have a strong connection to.  You can choose any animal, for whatever reason.  
Some cultures have very strong connections to animals. They believe they are guides (spiritually) and other cultures regard certain animals as sacred. In India and Nepal cows have connection to Gods and also are symbol of "ahimsa", the practice of non-violence and peace. 



Native Americans believe there is an animal guide assigned to them at birth.  Review this excerpt from University of Minnesota relating to Animal Guides and then look at examples of different ways animals symbolize beliefs and human characteristics. 

Native Americans

Recent census data (2018) indicates that American Indians make up 1.1 percent of Minnesota's total population.

Many Native American cultures have the belief that a person is assigned an animal upon the time of birth. The animals are honored, as they bring teachings (known as “animal medicine”) throughout a person’s lifetime. Many indigenous peoples believe that animals have spirits and enter the human world to give their bodies to supply humans with food, fur and other materials. After their flesh is used the animals return home, put on new flesh and re-enter the human world whenever they choose. (Kirk, 1986)

Historically, a dog was seen as a sacred being that helped people, prior to the horse, by carrying wood, keeping watch of the camp, or towing the tipi. The ideas of the dog and its spiritual connections are complicated and often particular to different healers in the communities. Historians largely feel that once white settlers arrived with horses in the 1700s, dogs lost their place in Indian society, although they were still seen as an invaluable relative.

In our culture, people traditionally don’t own animals the way other cultures have pets; the animals are left wild, and may choose to go to a home to offer protection, companionship, or even to become a part of a community. People feed the dogs and care for them, but the dogs remain living outside and are free to be their own beings. This relationship differs from one where the human is the master or owner of an animal who is considered property. Instead, the dog and people provide service to one another in a mutual relationship of reciprocity and respect.

                                                                                                            – Lakota Tribe















Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Frida Kahlo Scarecrow

 Art Club had some fun making this artsy, earthy Frida. They included some elements from Frida’s paintings. 











Scholastic Art Examples






























Friday, September 6, 2024

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Amulets



Group of Four Amulets: Cobra, Vulture, Djed Pillar, and Heart

Third Intermediate Period ca. 1000–945 B.C.

Found strung around the neck of the Priestess of Amun Djedmutesankh, these four amulets may have served as a magical charm. From right to left, they might be read: "Mut (the vulture goddess) says, 'may her heart endure." It has been suggested that they also form a pun on her name, which can be translated as "Mut says, 'may she live.'"



EYE OF HORUS

The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents protection, health, and restorationIt is also associated with prosperity, progress, and power





Vegvisir Compass Rune 

Vegvisir, meaning that which shows the way, is an Icelandic compass rune for travelers and wayfinders to always find the right path or direction in their travels. In one of the manuscripts, it was claimed that the carrier of such sign will never lose their way in any storm or poor weather, and will always be able to find the road to their goal even if that road was previously unknown to them. 




Ohm Symbol

The meaning of ohm is an ancient word that is shrouded in mystery. The sound is said to invoke a divine spark that resides within all things and gives them life. In Hinduism, it symbolizes the word "Omkar," which means creative power of sound as well as spirit or soul.





Bisque Clay Stamps