No AI allowed at all she's very very strict pls!!!
this is my last assigment and I really need to do well to bring up my grade :)
Overview
Create Original Artwork
Greco-Roman Option (x2)
Medieval and Gothic Option (x2)
Welcome to Creative Project 2! *This project does not have a grace period. June 14th is the final due date, no exceptions*
Important things to note:
- This project focuses on the second half of the course: Greece, Rome, Medieval, and Gothic
- You only choose ONE option.
This project will take the place of your final for the class. There are a few key differences between Creative Project 2 and the first project, so please read the instructions carefully.
Here’s how the project is organized:
Tab 1: Create Original Artwork – This option is the same as Creative Project 1. If you enjoyed that format, you can follow the same guidelines here.
Tab 2: Greco-Roman Art – This section offers two different options to choose from, both inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art.
Tab 3: Medieval and Gothic Art – This section also offers two different options, both focused on Medieval and/or Gothic art traditions.
Please explore the tabs and select the era and project option that interests you most.
You will submit your completed project via Canvas. If you choose to create a physical artwork and would like to share it with me in person, I’d love to see it! However, you must still submit photos or documentation of your work on Canvas.
Take your time reviewing the options, and remember—you only need to complete one project from the available choices.
Create Your Own Artwork
Create a piece of original artwork using any medium you choose, accompanied by an artist statement that explains your artistic practice, motivations, and the meaning behind your work. Your original artwork should be inspired by something you have learned in this class. It can be inspired directly by another artwork we discussed or a concept that we covered in the second half of the course: Greece, Rome, Medieval, and Gothic
Please refer to the grading rubric: Original Artwork Rubric -1-1.pdfDownload Original Artwork Rubric -1-1.pdf
The use of AI to create your artwork is absolutely NOT allowed. You may use a digital art platform like Procreate or Adobe Acrobat, but using AI platforms to create something for you will automatically give a 0.
In addition, you will include a short paragraph discussing the details of your artwork. The final project should also include citations from at least two sources.
- Create Your Original Artwork 30 pts
- Choose any medium that best suits your creative style and expression. Examples include:
- Painting (e.g., acrylic, oil, watercolor)
- Sculpture (e.g., clay, metal, wood)
- Found Objects (e.g., creating assemblage or installation from everyday objects)
- Collage (e.g., using paper, photos, mixed media)
- Performance Art (e.g., live or recorded performance that engages with themes you find meaningful)
- Video Art (e.g., a short film or visual narrative)
- If you have something else in mind, please let me know!
- Please make sure to include progress pictures when you submit pictures!
- Write Your Artist Statement (at least one paragraph) 6 pts
- *Note* The artist statement should reflect your overall artistic practice. Do not discuss the artwork you created for this project here; it will be for the following section. If you do not consider yourself an artist or have never written an artist statement before, then discuss the kind of artistic practice you aspire to achieve.
- Introduction to Your Artistic Practice:
- Start by briefly introducing yourself as an artist and the medium(s) you work with.
- Discuss the primary focus or themes of your art. This could be a specific subject matter (e.g., nature, identity, societal issues) or an artistic concept (e.g., abstraction, realism).
- Meaning and Motivation: Explain the meaning behind your artwork and what motivates you to create. This is your opportunity to share the deeper concepts, emotions, or ideas that fuel your work.
- You may also touch upon any personal or cultural influences that shape your practice. This could include experiences from your life, family, or heritage that inform your creative vision.
- Write a Short Paragraph Discussing Your Original Artwork 10 pts
- In a separate paragraph, provide a brief description of your original artwork
- Title: Give your artwork a title that reflects its essence.
- Medium: Identify the materials and techniques you used to create it.
- Inspiration: Share what inspired the piece—this could be a personal experience, cultural influence, or an abstract concept.
- Description: Briefly describe the subject or composition of the artwork and how it aligns with the themes or ideas discussed in your artist statement.
- Cite at least 2 Sources 4 pts
- Include a citation page at the end of your document or presentation, giving credit to at least two sources.
- These could be articles, books, artist interviews, or even historical/cultural references that influenced your artistic thinking or work.
- You can use any citation format (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), but ensure consistency throughout.
Examples:
- Artwork Example_1-1.pdfDownload Artwork Example_1-1.pdf
- Art Example_2-1.pdfDownload Art Example_2-1.pdf
- ArtExample_3-1.pdfDownload ArtExample_3-1.pdf
- ArtWork_Example_4-1.pdfDownload ArtWork_Example_4-1.pdf
- Artwork_Example_5-1.pdfDownload Artwork_Example_5-1.pdf
Option 1: Art History in Your Neighborhood: Architecture Photo Essay or Video Project
Art isn’t just found in museums or ancient ruins—it’s all around us. For this creative project, you’ll explore your local surroundings and uncover connections between the architecture in your neighborhood and the historical styles we’ve studied in class, including Greek, Roman, Medieval, or Gothic influences.
You will document at least three (3) local buildings, monuments, or structures that show visible influence from these architectural traditions. Then, you’ll create either a photo essay or a short video (2–4 minutes) comparing your local examples to historical works we've covered in class.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Observe Your Environment
- Walk or drive around your city/town and look closely at buildings, churches, schools, theaters, government buildings, banks, or even homes.
- Look for columns, arches, domes, pediments, stained glass, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, statues, mosaics, etc.
Step 2: Choose Your 3 Examples
- Select three structures that show visible influence from Greek, Roman, Medieval, or Gothic architecture.
- Take at least 2 photos of each example (different angles/details).
Step 3: Compare with Historical Artworks
- For each local example, choose 1 historical building or artwork from class that it resembles or draws from.
- You may use lecture materials, SmartHistory.org, or your textbook for reference.
Step 4: Create Your Final Product
Choose one of the two formats:
Format 1: Photo Essay (written + visual)
- A Google Doc or PDF with:
- Photos of your chosen buildings
- An image of the historical comparison
- A short paragraph (150–200 words each) for each pair that:
- Describes the local structure and its features
- Explains how it connects to the historical example
- Reflects on why this style might be used in your area
Format 2: Video Presentation
- A 2–4 minute narrated video/slideshow (can use Canva, iMovie, PowerPoint, YouTube, or phone app)
- Include:
- Images of local examples and historical counterparts
- Voice-over or captions explaining the comparisons
- Reflections on why those historical elements might be reused today
Rubric (Total: 50 points)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Identification of 3 local examples | 10 |
| Quality of visual documentation | 5 |
| Clear and thoughtful comparisons | 15 |
| Historical accuracy and references | 10 |
| Creativity & presentation | 5 |
| Grammar, clarity, and effort | 5 |
Notes:
- You do not need to enter any buildings—exterior shots are perfectly fine.
- If you live in a more rural area, you can use local landmarks, nearby towns, or even online tools like Google Maps’ Street View if needed.
- Be sure to cite any historical examples using either the artwork title or source (e.g., “Pantheon, Rome – SmartHistory”).
OPTION 2: From Geometry to Emotion: The Evolution of Greek Art
Project: Digital or Physical Collage + Written Reflection
Greek art underwent significant evolution over time, reflecting shifts in society, politics, and philosophy. In this project, you will explore that transformation by creating a visual collage—digital or physical—that illustrates key artworks from the Geometric, Classical, and Hellenistic periods. You will also write a brief reflection that explains the artistic shifts between periods and the historical events that contributed to their development.
Part 1: The Visual Collage
Your collage must include:
- At least 3 images per period (9 total minimum), showing key artworks or architecture. You must have at least one from the geometric period, the classical period, and the Hellenistic period.
- Each image must be labeled with:
- The artwork’s title or type
- The period it represents
- Approximate date (century is fine)
- Use design choices (color, layout, text) to reflect the mood or characteristics of each period.
- You may create this:
- Physically (cut-and-paste collage)
- Digitally (using Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint, or any collage tool)
Part 2: Written Reflection (300–500 words)
In a separate PDF or WordDoc, please address the following:
- Describe each period (Geometric, Classical, Hellenistic):
- What were the defining artistic features?
- What subjects or themes were common?
- Identify one major historical or cultural event that shaped the art of each period.
Examples: rise of city-states, democracy, Persian Wars, Alexander the Great’s conquests, etc. - Reflect on how Greek art evolved from abstract forms to realism to emotional drama. Why do you think these shifts happened?
Learning Goals:
- Understand the formal and thematic characteristics of major Greek art periods
- Connect historical developments to changes in artistic style
- Practice visual analysis and historical synthesis
- Engage creatively with art history through visual storytelling
Grading Breakdown (Total: 50 points)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Visual collage includes 3 labeled images per period | 15 |
| Accurate identification of periods and features | 10 |
| Historical context included and connected to art | 10 |
| Thoughtful written reflection (300–500 words) | 10 |
| Creativity, effort, and presentation | 5 |
Tips:
- Use SmartHistory.org, class notes, or lecture slides to find image examples.
- For digital collages, submit your file as a PDF or JPEG.
- For physical collages, take a clear photo or scan and upload it.
OPTION 1: Seeing the Sacred: Christ in Byzantine vs. Romanesque Art
In the Medieval world, art was a powerful tool to visualize the divine. This project examines how various styles and spiritual philosophies influenced the depiction of Christ in Byzantine and Romanesque art. Byzantine images often emphasized Christ's divine, otherworldly nature, while Romanesque art often presented a more human, narrative, and didactic vision of Christ.
In this project, you will:
- Analyze at least one image of Christ from each style (Byzantine and Romanesque)
- Reflect on the spiritual and historical meaning behind these portrayals
- Create a personal, creative response that explores how spirituality is conveyed visually, past or present
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Choose and Analyze the Artworks: Things to include in the writing portion
- Select one Byzantine image of Christ (e.g., Christ Pantocrator mosaic, Hagia Sophia)
- Select one Romanesque image of Christ (e.g., Last Judgment at Autun, fresco in a Romanesque church)
- Compare the two artworks by addressing the following:
- What is Christ’s expression, posture, or gesture?
- What materials or techniques are used (mosaic, fresco, relief)?
- What message about Christ’s identity is being communicated?
- How is divinity vs. humanity expressed?
Step 2: Contextualize with Spiritual Growth
- Explain how each image reflects the growing role of the Church and spiritual belief in its time:
- How does the Byzantine Christ reflect the empire’s theological and political authority?
- How does the Romanesque Christ reflect pilgrimage, fear of judgment, or church expansion?
Step 3: Create a Personal Response
Format Options:
- Creative writing: Write a reflection from the perspective of a medieval viewer encountering one of the artworks.
- Journal entry: Create an illustrated journal entry imagining you're a pilgrim who just saw one of the works.
- Mini podcast or video: Record a 2–3 minute reflection on how the representation of Christ shaped people’s understanding of faith.
Learning Goals:
- Understand the stylistic and theological differences in Byzantine and Romanesque depictions of Christ
- Connect art with religious, cultural, and political history
- Reflect on how spiritual beliefs are visualized
- Encourage personal connection through creativity
Grading Breakdown (Total: 50 points)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Analysis of both Byzantine and Romanesque artworks | 15 |
| Contextual understanding of historical background | 10 |
| Depth of reflection on spirituality and symbolism | 10 |
| Creative response (visual, written, or audio) | 10 |
| Effort, clarity, and presentation | 5 |
Tips:
- Use resources like SmartHistory.org to find and reference images.
- If submitting a creative piece, be sure to include a short explanation or reflection alongside it.
- If you're unsure where to start, feel free to reach out or ask during class!
OPTION 2: Myth Reimagined: Retelling Classical & Medieval Narratives Through Art
Throughout history, myths and religious stories have shaped how cultures explain the world, express their values, and visualize power, gender, divinity, and morality. From Greek and Roman mythology to Medieval Christian iconography, these stories were passed down visually through sculpture, painting, manuscript illumination, and architecture.
In this project, you will select a myth or religious story from Greek, Roman, or Medieval art and reinterpret it through a modern lens. You’ll create a creative reinterpretation and write a short artist statement explaining the original story and your reinterpretation.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Choose Your Myth or Religious Story
- Select a narrative or figure from Greek, Roman, or Medieval culture that we’ve covered in class or that you’ve encountered in your own research.
- Examples include: Medusa, Icarus, Persephone, Hercules, Orpheus & Eurydice, Christ Pantocrator, Saint George & the Dragon, Eve, the Last Judgment, etc.
Step 2: Reimagine the Story
- Retell the myth in a modern context or with a new focus:
- What if it were set in the present day?
- What if you told it from a different character’s perspective?
- How might you explore themes like gender, justice, transformation, faith, or resistance?
- Your version should reinterpret, not just replicate, the original.
Step 3: Create an Original Artwork
- Use any visual medium: drawing, painting, collage, comic book, zine, digital art, mixed media, etc.
- Your work should be thoughtful and visually communicate your reinterpretation of the story.
Step 4: Write a description explaining your interpretation (200–300 words)
Include the following in your written statement:
- The title and origin of the original story or figure
- A brief summary of the traditional version
- An explanation of how you reimagined or transformed it
- The meaning or message behind your reinterpretation
Learning Goals:
- Deepen understanding of narrative in classical and medieval art
- Explore how themes evolve across time and culture
- Practice visual interpretation and creative storytelling
- Develop historical thinking through artistic expression
Grading Breakdown (Total: 50 points)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Thoughtful reinterpretation of myth or story | 15 |
| Clarity and effort in original artwork | 10 |
| Description explains both the original and the reinterpretation | 15 |
| Creativity and presentation | 5 |
| Overall effort and originality | 5 |
Notes & Tips:
- You don’t need to be a trained artist—focus on ideas, symbolism, and creativity.
- Use SmartHistory.org or class materials for references and inspiration.
- If you’re unsure which story to pick or how to begin, feel free to ask!