All Flashcards
Define 'Material Hierarchy' in Indigenous American art.
A system where materials are ranked based on rarity and labor required to use them, reflecting cultural values.
What does 'Post-and-Lintel' mean in architecture?
A construction method using vertical posts to support horizontal beams, creating openings or structures.
Define 'Acllas'.
'Chosen women' in the Central Andes who specialized in textile production.
What is 'Greenstone'?
A precious material in Indigenous American art, highly valued and labor-intensive to work with.
Define 'Relief sculpture'.
Sculptures where figures project from a background plane.
Compare Mesoamerican architecture and Central Andean textiles.
Mesoamerican architecture created monumental sacred spaces using stone, while Central Andean textiles conveyed intricate designs and cultural meaning through woven fibers. Both served ritualistic and symbolic purposes.
Contrast the use of ceramics and featherwork in Indigenous American art.
Ceramics were a more readily available material (lower tier), while featherwork was highly valued and labor-intensive (top tier), reflecting different levels of cultural significance.
Compare and contrast the role of plazas in Mesoamerica and rock art in the Central Andes.
Plazas in Mesoamerica facilitated large ritual gatherings, while rock art in the Central Andes communicated stories and beliefs. Both served as important spaces for cultural expression and communication.
Compare the use of stone in Mesoamerican architecture and Central Andean carvings.
In Mesoamerica, stone was used for monumental structures like pyramids, emphasizing scale and permanence. In the Central Andes, stone was used for carvings and ritual objects, focusing on detailed representation and symbolic meaning.
Compare the functionality of textiles and architecture.
Textiles served practical purposes like clothing and blankets, and also served as a canvas for storytelling and status. Architecture created sacred spaces, and also served as a canvas for storytelling and status.
How does Mesoamerican pyramid construction relate to earlier earthworks?
Pyramids evolved from simple earthworks into complex structures, reflecting a continuous tradition of monumental construction and sacred space creation.
How does the 'All-T'oqapu Tunic' reflect Central Andean weaving traditions?
It exemplifies the intricate designs, specialized skill (acllas), and cultural importance of textiles in the Central Andes.
How do geometric patterns in Native North American art relate to earlier traditions?
Geometric patterns are a recurring motif, reflecting a long-standing tradition of abstract representation and symbolic meaning.
How does the use of stone in Mesoamerican architecture connect to earlier traditions of working with natural materials?
The use of stone demonstrates a continuation of utilizing available natural resources to create permanent and culturally significant structures.
How does the functionality of textiles and architecture connect to earlier traditions?
The functionality of textiles and architecture connects to earlier traditions by providing practical needs and cultural expression.