Bridging Islamic Traditions Module San Antonio Museum of Art Self-­‐Guided Tour1: A visual arts tour linking the three bridges San Antonio Museum of Art http://samuseum.org 200 West Jones Avenue San Antonio, Texas 78215 (210) 978-­‐8100 Free to Alamo Colleges Student with Student ID 1 The self-­‐guided SAMA tour is part of a Bridging Islamic Traditions grant project. The SAC project seeks to illustrate how interdisciplinary collaboration in the humanities is uniquely suited to connecting intellectual processes to real-­‐world challenges. The project is designed to enrich faculty preparation for teaching Islamic culture while increasing student engagement as part of a continuous quest to address intellectual traditions that often involve seemingly unbridgeable divides. 2 Welcome to the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) Self-­‐Guided Tour The Islamic Gallery Worksheet Step 1: Before you visit SAMA you need to read about and identify the 4 characteristics of Islamic Art 1.Read about: Nature of Islamic Art http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/orna/hd_orna.htm (Note links to the 4 styles at bottom) Note/ fill in characteristics: 2. Read about Calligraphy: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cali/hd_cali.htm Note/fill in characteristics: 3. Read about: Vegetal Patterns: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/vege/hd_vege.htm Note/fill in characteristics: 3. Read about: Geometric patterns: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/geom/hd_geom.htm Note/fill in characteristics: 4. Read about: Figural Representations: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/figs/hd_figs.htm Note/ fill in characteristics: Step 2: 1. Make sure you review the hours of operation before you go. Your visit is free at any time with a student ID. Free hours are also listed on the web site if you want to take friends or family. 2. Bring with you: the guide and print copy of this worksheet, paper and pencil and if you like camera/phone, but no flash. 3 3. When you arrive, pick up a museum map and your proof of attendance. You must submit your proof of attendance in order to get credit for your assignment. Proof of attendance can be a receipt or the map – the desk will date stamp it for you. 4. Using the museum map, locate where you need to go: The Islamic Gallery: located on the fourth floor of the West Tower (to your right). From there walk across the Skybridge to the East Tower and use the stairs to walk down to the Spanish Colonial Gallery. The last stop is the Arch, which can be seen from the Pre-­‐Columbian gallery or outside from the SAMA courtyard. Begin Tour 1. Welcome to the Islamic Gallery As you walk into the gallery, take a minute and pause – look around and get a feel for the objects you are about to see. The learning objective of the visit is to identify the 4 characteristics of Islamic Art using original objects from Iran, Turkey, Syria and India. Start on the wall on the left side, note the center display cases and the display on the right hand wall. Make sure to review the cards posted to inrofuce the topic and the individual cards, which give you details about the individual objects: place, time and use. 4 Your observations: What is your first impression? Calligraphy: identify these objects Your Observations What type of objects are used for calligraphy? (Bowls, plates, vases, ceramic, metal, etc) What is the purpose or use of the object? Where is it from? What time period? Vegetal Patterns: identify these objects 5 Your observations: What type of objects are used for vegetal patterns? (Bowls, plates, vases, ceramic, metal, etc) What is the purpose or use of the object? Where is it from? What time period? Geometric patterns: identify these objects Your observations: What type of objects are used for geometric patterns? (Bowls, plates, vases, ceramic, metal, etc) What is the purpose or use of the object? Where is it from? What time period? 6 Figural Representations: identify these objects Your observations: What type of objects are used for figural presentation? (Bowls, plates, vases, ceramic, metal, etc) What is the purpose or use of the object? Where is it from? What time period? 2. The Spanish Colonial Gallery ~ In this gallery we are now linking the influence of Islamic Art on artistic traditions Spain brought to the Americas. Islamic art in Spain is called Moorish or Mudejar. In this gallery we will look at 3 objects representing the Moorish influence. Pause and observe the room – write a brief description of your first impressions? Identify these objects 7 For each object in the image (use companion signage) identify the Islamic Art characteristic and identify the place and time period. What characteristic is not represented? Why? 3. Islamic Art influence in San Antonio the Urrutia Arch (Islamic Art >>Moorish Art >>San Antonio) Pause, record your first impression: Identify the characteristics represented: Which one is not represented? What is new? not characteristic of the Islamic style? Please take a final minute to comment on your SAMA experience. Your comments are appreciated: In order to receive full credit – attach your proof of attendance to the worksheet and submit by the due date.