All Flashcards
Define 'life force' in Indigenous art.
The energy or power believed to be contained within objects and transferred through active participation.
What is 'active participation' in Indigenous art?
The engagement of the audience through rituals, ceremonies, or daily use, making them integral to the artwork's function.
Define 'Templo Mayor'.
The main temple of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, used for important rituals, including human sacrifice.
What is a 'stela'?
An upright stone slab or pillar, often carved with inscriptions or reliefs, used to commemorate rulers or events.
Define 'patron' in the context of Indigenous art.
Individuals or groups (e.g., rulers, families) who commission artworks, often to demonstrate power, honor deities, or commemorate ancestors.
What is 'bloodletting'?
A ritualistic practice, common in Mayan culture, involving the sacrifice of blood to honor the gods.
Compare the roles of temples in Mesoamerica and the Andes.
Both served as ritual spaces, but Mesoamerican temples like the Templo Mayor were often sites of human sacrifice, while Andean sites like Chavín de Huántar were pilgrimage destinations.
Compare Mayan and Aztec patronage of art.
Both cultures saw rulers as primary patrons, but the Aztecs focused on monumental displays of power, while the Mayans emphasized lineage and historical records in their art.
Compare the art of the Chavín and Inca cultures.
Chavín art is characterized by stylized animals and supernatural beings, while Inca art is known for its sophisticated stonework and integration with the natural landscape.
Compare the intended audiences of public and private rituals.
Public rituals were intended for the community, while private rituals in temples were restricted to priests and nobles.
Compare the artistic focus of the Mayans and the Aztecs.
Mayan art focused on hieroglyphic writing and intricate carvings, while Aztec art emphasized monumental architecture and displays of power.
What was the function of the Templo Mayor?
It served as a stage for rituals, including human sacrifices, reflecting Aztec power and religious beliefs.
What is the cultural significance of Mayan stelae?
They were used to record historical events, lineage, and religious beliefs, preserving cultural traditions.
What role did rulers play as patrons of Indigenous art?
Rulers commissioned art to demonstrate their power, gain favor from the gods, and honor ancestors, reflecting social and political structures.
What does the architecture of Chavín de Huántar suggest about its purpose?
Its complex structures and ritualistic purpose indicate that it was a place of pilgrimage and ceremony.
How did audience participation affect the design of Indigenous art?
Art was designed to be actively used in rituals and ceremonies, influencing its form and function to facilitate community engagement.
What does the use of stylized animals in Chavín art represent?
Stylized animals and supernatural beings reflect the Chavín culture's spiritual beliefs and connection to the natural world.