Preparation for Final Exam
You should prepare the following, but you will write the exam in the specified testing period, without notes. You will need to rely upon your visual and verbal memory. You may bring a list of the works (Titles only) into the exam.
PART 1: From each of the culture groups we have explored (listed below), select one work to discuss in relationship to the purposes and functions of art in that culture, as well as the ways in which it is typical or not of the artistic expressions for that group. Give the full identification data for the work, then discuss the SPECIFIC ways in which reflects the philosophical and intellectual approach to the creation and use of art for those people. Consider the following: Does it serve to identify status or position? Does it serve a ritual purpose? Does it reflect a mythological concept in the culture? Does it have a very specific personal purpose? Does it exemplify a highly-developed artform which is peculiar to the culture? Does it demonstrate a technique which was created or refined by this people? Does it explain or amplify religious beliefs?
The questions could be endless, but the point is to explore and discuss what is in evidence about the culture in either the form or iconography of the specific work, and how it reflects the specific time and place in which it was made. Keep in mind the standard question:
Identify the work by filling in the blanks, as appropriate. Focusing on that work, and using the spaces provided, identify the work by artist, title, date, stylistic category, and location (if architecture or architectural decoration). Then, using complete sentences, write an essay in which you discuss significant aspects of the work. Consider how it reflects the period, place and culture in which it was produced, the purpose or occasion for its creation, characteristics of style, iconography, historical context, technique, medium/materials, or other features of art historical significance. BE SPECIFIC.
Choose a work from each of the following groups:
AFRICAN (specify the cultural/tribal group, and the region/country of the work, as well as any further specific identifying data)
PACIFIC CULTURES (Specify the geographic location, as well as cultural/tribal groups)
SOUTH or MESOAMERICA (Specify the geographic location, as well as cultural/tribal groups)
NORTH AMERICA (Specify the geographic location, as well as cultural/tribal groups)
INDIA, INDIAN SURROUND (Specify the geographic location, as well as cultural/tribal groups, religious/philosophical associations, dynastic periods)
CHINA, KOREA, JAPAN (Specify the geographic location, as well as cultural/tribal groups, religious/philosophical associations, dynastic periods)
PART 2: Create 2 cross-cultural comparisons, using examples which are different from those which you chose for Part 1. This will result in a well-developed comparison/contrast type essay, using works from different examples which you think embody noteworthy distinctions between the cultures and their approaches to the creation and use of art. Consider, as usual, the standard question for Compare and Contrast:
First, identify both works in the pair, by filling in the blanks below. Give the style/period, title, and date. Then, for that pair of slides, write a UNIFIED essay, using complete sentences, in which you discuss the works in relationship to one other. Evaluate the similarities and the differences between each two. Consider the purpose of each and its significance within the cultural/ stylistic/historical period in which it was created. Also consider: media, size, style, artist, location, etc., as appropriate.