<p>These artworks are <strong>enigmatic</strong> - "mysterious, puzzling, hard to understand, mystifying, inexplicable, baffling, perplexing, bewildering, confusing, impenetrable, inscrutable, incomprehensible, unexplainable, unfathomable, indecipherable."   They are open to interpretation.  </p><p>Look at one or more of these artworks. How did the artist create a sense of mystery or fantasy? What do you think it could mean?  </p>

<p>These images come from murals that depict people at work.  What jobs do you see them doing? How does each job help the community?</p>

<p>Paintings by artist Jacob Lawrence of people working and playing in their community.</p>

<p>Which type of balance is represented in each image?</p> <ul><li>Symmetrical balance</li><li>Radial balance</li><li>Asymmetrical balance</li></ul>

<p><em>How does the design of a museum . . . </em></p> <ul><li>reflect the time in which it was built?</li><li>reflect its purpose?</li><li>reflect the values of society?</li><li> fit in (or not) with the surrounding community? </li></ul><p><em>How does the interior design affect the way people experience the space?</em></p>

<p>Observe and discuss selected images. . . </p> <ul><li>What shapes or forms are combined in each image?</li><li>What purpose do you think it was designed for? Why do you think that?</li><li>What do all the images have in common?</li></ul><p>After discussion, construct a definition of the term "modular."</p> <p>ART MAKING CHALLENGES: </p> <ul><li>Create a modular sculpture for a community space using cut and folded paper or tag board.</li><li>Draw a modular design for a building with a specific purpose.</li><li>Design modular storage for a small apartment. </li><li>Design modular furniture that could be rearranged for different purposes. </li></ul><p></p>

<p>Doorways are the transition point from one place to another.  They can be functional, decorative, symbolic, or a combination of all three.  Work with a partner to view and discuss a selection of doorways.</p> <p></p> <ul><li>What does it look like?</li><li>What is it made of?</li><li>Where do you think it leads?</li><li>How does it impact the viewer or person who might want to enter/exit?</li></ul><p>ART MAKING CHALLENGES: </p> <p></p> <ul><li>Design a doorway or passageway that symbolizes what happens inside.</li><li>Design a doorway or passageway that links a physical place to an imaginary one.</li><li>Design a doorway to represent a transition from one period of your life to another. </li></ul><p></p> <p></p>

<p>Sustainability is about using techniques that allow for continual reuse of resources. Why might textile designers want to reuse scraps or reclaim waste fibers? What other things that get thrown away could be reused as part of a woven textile? </p> <p>ART MAKING CHALLENGE: Incorporate something recyclable in a hand-woven textile.  Consider color, texture, and how well it will perform for a particular purpose.  Would you combine the recycled items with traditional yarns or just use recycled items? Which method is likely to get the results you want?</p>

<p>Allow small groups to "see/think/wonder" about a mask image:  Look and describe what you see. Based on what you see, what do you think the mask is for? What do you wonder about the mask (or want to learn about the mask)? Then allow students to click the Information button to learn more. Groups can report out to the whole class.</p> <p>Facilitate a discussion with students using some open ended questions:</p> <ul><li>Why do people make and wear masks? </li><li>What can be hidden or revealed using a mask?</li><li>What might a mask symbolize or stand for?</li><li>If you were to design a mask for a special purpose, what would it look like? </li></ul><p>Direct students to sketch their ideas to plan for creating a mask. </p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p>

<p>Introductory Activity: Print image cards for small group collaboration. Students will sort images into three categories:</p> <ol><li>Representational Art (realistic imagery)</li><li>Abstract Art (recognizable imagery that does not reflect actual appearance)</li><li>Nonrepresentational Art (does not represent a depiction of the physical appearance of people or objects)</li></ol><p>Formal Analysis Activity: </p> <p>Choose a few images to compare and contrast: How did the artist use line, shape, color, balance, repetition, or overall composition to convey</p> <ol><li>The illusion of movement or rhythm</li><li>Visual tension</li><li>A mood or feeling</li></ol><p>NOTE: pdf file of these images is meant to be printed front-to-back so that citations will appear on the reverse side of each image. </p> <p></p> <p><br /></p>