E-Book Overview
By focusing on forty works from the Metropolitan’s collection, this educator’s resource kit presents the rich and diverse artistic heritage of sub-Saharan Africa. Included are a brief introduction and history of the continent, an explanation of the role of visual expression in Africa, descriptions of the form and function of the works, lesson plans, class activities, map, bibliography, and glossary.
E-Book Content
The Art of AFRICA A Resource for Educators Christa Clarke THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART These educational materials are made possible by Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Schein. Copyright ©2006 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Written by Christa Clarke Lesson plans by Rebecca Arkenberg Senior Managing Editor: Merantine Hens Senior Publishing and Creative Manager: Masha Turchinsky Production Manager: Alice Dow Walker Design by Lisa S. Park Design Color separations and printing by Galvanic Printing & Plate Co., Inc., Moonachie, New Jersey Photographs of works in the Museum’s collections are by the Photograph Studio of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fig. 1 by Frederick Lamp, 1990; fig. 2 by Susan Vogel, 1997; fig. 3. by Herbert Cole, 1974; fig. 4 by Paul Gebauer, The Photograph Study Collection, Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bequest of Paul Gebauer, 1977 (PSC 1977.1.60); fig. 5 photograph by Hans Gehne, ca. 1913, published in Karl Zimmermann, Die Grenzgebiete Kameruns im Suden u dim Osten (2 vol.), Nutteilungen aus den Deutschen Schutzgebieten, 9a and 9b, Berlin, 1914; EEPA Study Collection (I 3 Fang); Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; fig. 6 photography by P. A., c. 1900, postcard, collotype, publisher unknown, c.1905; EEPA Postcard Collection, CF 18-1; Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; fig. 7 photograph by Eliot Elisofon, 1951, Image no. EEPA EECL 4373; Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; fig. 8 by Patricia Darish, 1981; fig. 9 by Casimir d’Ostoja Zagourski (1880–1941), The Photograph Study Collection, Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (PSC 1990.3.55); fig. 10 by John B. Kramer, 1971, courtesy of South African Museum, Capetown, South Africa; fig. 11 by Stephen Brayne, courtesy of Marla Berns, 1995. Map by Anandaroop Roy Binder, front: image 5, Male and Female Antelope Headdresses (Ci wara kun). Back: image 38, Textile Mantle (detail). Box, front: image 21, Pendant Mask. Back: image 38, Textile Mantle (detail). Spine: image 9, Lidded Saltcellar ISBN 1-58839-190-6 (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) ISBN 0-300-12312-4 (Yale University Press) Cataloging-in-publication data is available from the Library of Congress. Foreword The Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates artistic creativity from across the globe and from all times. Thus, our distinguished collection of African Art has special significance both because of its aesthetic excellence and because our strong collections in all artistic traditions complement one another so profoundly. We therefore take the greatest pleasure in putting forward this publication, The Art of Africa: A Resource for Educators. Christa Clark, Curator of Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific at the Newark Museum, Alisa LaGamma, Curator of African Art at the Metropolitan Museum, and the Museum’s Education staff have worked together to select and shape the content to be especially useful to teachers and students. We also thank with special gratitude Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Schein for making this effort possible. We know that the educational value of this material will be realized in classrooms throu