The Work of Art, UNST 131K

Final Creative Project

Due: Thursday Dec. 3rd in Class

 

This final project is designed to help you synthesize and interpret all that we have examined this term in the light of Paleolithic Art and the development of the creative brain in a new and creative way.  You have a choice whether you want to do this project individually or collectively with no more than three other individuals.  The purpose is to shown how well you have understood the concepts we have examined this term as they surfaced in Paleolithic art. 

PROJECT:  Design your own Paleolithic Art Work.  This could be done as either a two dimensional or three dimensional piece.  This needs to be original artwork that you have done.  You should use materials and styles similar to those used in early Paleolithic Art.  In other words, if you choose to do a cave painting, then it needs to more than just a drawing on poster board.  You need to consider the material that you are using as the base for the cave art.  If you are producing portable art, then you need to consider what material could be used that would be appropriate in the light of the materials that were used to produce portable art.  If you are doing a sculpture, again, what material would be appropriate in creating that sculpture? 

In the creation of this art, you need to incorporate ideas associated with Paleolithic Art and how they will be represented in your own artwork.  I would look back through each chapter of Lewis-Williams for the key ideas that surfaced from those chapters and how they could be reflected in your work.  For example, what theory explains the purpose of your art?   How can that be determined from what you have produced and the images you use?  Does your art show a continuum with human cognitive development, i.e. are there linkages to other hominids and their art forms or does your art reflect a quantitative leap in human creative ability?  If so, how is this shown in the art itself?  How does your art work reveal the Paleolithic human mind as you understand it? 

Once you feel like you have created a piece of art that embeds all of the above questions, write an accompanying piece which explains your understanding of the artwork that you have created.  The explanation should address the questions I have stated above.  This written accompanying piece should be approximately two word processed pages.

On the last day of class each person and/or group needs to bring their artwork and the accompanying written explanation for display in class.  You may be asked to explain your artwork orally as well.

 

GRADING COMPONENTS:

Originality and Quality of Art Work                                                                                   10%

Clear Connection of the Art Work to the Analysis Questions                         10%

Effectiveness of Accompanying Written Explanation                                          5%