Collage

1. Islamic Styled Collage Principles, Instructions and Grading Visual Arts Content Standards 1.0 Artistic Perception 2.0 Creative Expression 3.0 Cultural Historical Reference 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing La Entrada High School - PYLUSD

2. Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content Section One: Background & History of Islamic Art

3. Defining Islamic Art The style of art for this work originates in Persia (what is today Iran) in the Middle East during the 15th and 16th Centuries. It is most often in books as small miniature paintings and is similar to the Illuminated manuscripts of the time in Europe. These paintings were highly valued and only owned by the wealthiest in Persian society. Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content

4. The Faith of Islam Islam is a major world religion founded in 610 A.D. by its prophet, Muhammad. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Islam follows Allah, the one and only God. To follow Allah’s will, Muslims consult the words of Muhammad as published in the Q’uran, the holy book of Islam. Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content Learn more about Islam

5. The Paradox of Islamic Art Islamic art in some ways is a contradiction. According to The Qu’ran creating images of people is a form of Idolatry (worshipping of idols) & is prohibited. Therefore, no images should be found in Islamic Art. However, as the images were small and in books, they were not considered “public” at the time and so could be allowed. Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content Depicting the prophet Muhammad was considered to be a great sin, so when he is shown, his face is often covered as it is here.

6. Religious Painting in Islamic Art Much of Islamic artwork deals with subject of a religious nature. Here Muhammad rises to heaven aboard the back of the winged steed Al-Buraq. Again in this work, the face of Muhammad is veiled by the artist to avoid the prohibition on depicting the image of the prophet. Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content

7. Secular Painting in Islamic Art Not all of the artwork depicted religious scenes however. The miniature paintings in the books also illustrated images from stories as pictures in books do today. Other examples include historical events, folk-tales, and legends. Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content

8. The Mongol Influence on Islamic Art In the 13th century, the Mongols, under Gengis Khan (top right) conquered much of Asia from their homeland in Mongolia. The Mongol Empire would conquer much of the Middle East including Persia, Iraq & parts of Arabia (see map). Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content Learn more about the Mongol Invasions

9. Islamic Art before the Mongol Invasion The art in these Islamic regions focused mainly on complex patterns. The patterns were famed for their rich colors and complexity. Patterns were used in fabrics and architecture. They were both carved (right top) & in mosaics, art made from small bits of cut and set glass or ceramic (right bottom). Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content

10. The Mongol Influence on Islamic Art The Mongols brought with them their culture, art & artistic styles. The Mongols painting style had a strong influence on Islamic art. The Mongols used intricate images of people, bright colors, layers of shapes. They also had tried to create a sense of depth - the illusion of a painting going “back” into the page. T Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content

11. The Miniature Paintings Over time, the two styles formed into a unique form. Islamic love of patterns, blended with the Mongol passion for detail, shapes, and depth. The Islamic Miniature Painting style –which mixes intricate patterns & textures with bright colors, complex shapes, multiple figures and a sense of depth Standard 3.0 Cultural & Historical Content

12. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception Section Two: Elements & Principles of Islamic Art

13. Elements & Principles in Islamic Art Space - The feeling of Space is important in Islamic Art. Also called depth, itgives a sense that the figures and objects in the work move away from the viewer. It is accomplished by creating three areas or “grounds” – the foreground, mid-ground, and background. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

14. About Space Foreground - The foreground (in the yellow box) represents the area or ground closest to the viewer. In Islamic Art the lower something is on the page the closer it is to the viewer. Therefore, the foreground is located in the bottom 1/3. This area contains a man & a horse which are hiding behind some rocks. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

15. About Space Midground - The midground (the orange box) is the area between the foreground and the distances furthest away. The mid-ground is located roughly in the middle 1/3 of the page. In Islamic Art the higher something is the further away it is from us, so it is higher than the foreground. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

16. About Space Background - Located the furthest away is the background (the red box). It is behind the foreground & the midground. The background is located at the top 1/3 of the page. Since, the higher something is in these works, the further it is away, the background is at the top, above the midground & the foreground. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

17. About Space The End Result - Using foreground, midground and background gives the viewer a sense of depth that is fairly realistic. The foreground seems closest to us, the mid ground further away and the background even further still. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

18. Elements & Principles in Islamic Art Line - Lines in Islamic Artworks help direct the eye. Vertical lines imply height. Horizontal Lines imply width. Diagonallines give us a sense of depth. This use of line helps create a 3D Space. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

19. Elements & Principles in Islamic Art Color - The colors in these works are pure hues (or basic colors) and are very bright. Although there is some use of black & white, it is the gold, blues, reds, & greens that stand out. There are few neutral colors (browns &, grays). This gives the picture a visually exciting quality. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

20. Elements & Principles in Islamic Art Shape - A Shape is a 2-dimensional area defined by lines. Geometric shapes create a the city background by using straight vertical, horizontal & diagonal lines and angles. Organicshapes are created using curves to make rounded shapes for people & animals so they look more natural. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

21. Elements & Principles in Islamic Art Pattern - A pattern is a series of lines or shapes that repeats to fill an area or space. Patterns are used in each area of Islamic Art. For a pattern to work it must have repetition. Repetition in art means that something does the same thing within the space without changing its pattern. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

22. Standard 2.0 Artistic Expression Section Three: Creating Your Islamic Painting Styled Collage

23. Creating Your Project You will create an artwork in the style of Islamic painting. It should show a recent memorable event in your life. Standard 2.0 Artistic Expression

24. Creating Your Project It will have at least 3 rectangular boxes (one for the foreground, one for the midground, & one for the background). Each “ground” box will contain a piece of fabric or patterned paper. Each box will contain figures that are neat and colorful and make sense with the “ground”. Standard 2.0 Artistic Expression

25. Creating Your Project Make sure that the figures and objects make sense with the “ground” they are in. Also make sure that all fabric and papers are neatly glued down and colored neatly as well. Consider using a fine point sharpie after you color them to add details. Standard 2.0 Artistic Expression

26. Other Student Samples This work “Ballgame” is also very clear with its fore, mid and back-grounds. The batter is clearly in front, the defense in the middle, and the stands in the back. While the cotton candy kid & the hotdog cart are too big, they work as background – perhaps because of their significance to the fans. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

27. Other Student Samples This piece “Zoo Trip” has many boxes, and overlaps, but still works for the most part. It maintains its “grounds’ by changing the sizes of its objects. Bigger animals & trees are located in the bottom 1/3. Medium sized objects are in the middle 1/3. Tiny in the top 1/3. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

28. Other Student Samples This work “Day in the Park” also has many boxes. Its grounds are still quite clear. Again, closer objects are bigger and lower than things in the mid & background. The “tree box” breaks the rules, but suggests that trees go from the foreground to the mid ground A few more trees may have helped. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

29. Other Student Samples This work “O.C. Fair” is also has three pretty clear “grounds.” However, there is some depth confusion. The “Deep-Fried Delight” food stand might have been better placed where the barn & the pig are (and visa-versa). This would have helped with the sense of size of objects. Standard 1.0 Artistic Perception

30. Standard 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing Section Four: Grading Your Islamic Painting Styled Collage

31. Grading Your Project Criteria 1 – Box Creation: Are there at least 3 rectangular boxes of near equal size for foreground, midground & background). 4/box = 12 pts Standard 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing C C C

32. Grading Your Project Criteria 2 – Depth Creation: Do the “grounds” have appropriate placed and sized objects in them? 4/box = 12 pts Standard 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing Fireworks in sky (background) People in park (midground) C C C Parking lot (foreground)

33. Grading Your Project Criteria 3 –Patterns/Contrast: Does each box contain a pattern? Does the pattern contrast with its adjacent boxes? 4/box = 12 pts Standard 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing Blue Sequined Fabric Flowered Fabric C C C Black Plain fabric

34. Grading Your Project Criteria 4 – Figures & Colors: Does each box contain simply shaped organic and/or geometric figures and objects? Are they brightly colored? Do they fit in the box? 4/box = 12 pts Standard 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing “Fireworks” People & Blankets C C C People & Cars

35. Grading Your Project Criteria 5 – Craftsmanship & Neatness Is the image neatly glued down? Are the figures neatly colored & cut out? 12 points Standard 4.0 Aesthetic Valuing C C