Arts Practice B3.1.: Create and utilize categories to analyze similarities and differences in artistic works (activity)

In this activity, you will study the ways in which gods/goddesses have been depicted by artists throughout history in a variety of cultures. You will then find similarities between artist depictions (modern and ancient) to abstract qualities that you will include in a temple you design for this god/goddess.

In this step, you will study the way in which historical figures with religious ties to various cultures have been depicted over the years.

Observe the different statues from ancient cultures and modern adaptations. Then abstract the similarities you see from one depiction to another. What features are the same in every depiction? Which are different? Did the artist give this religious figure their own twist? How did they do this while also allowing the observer to know that it is not depicting another god/goddess/person?

• Collection of Shiva (Hindu) Statues and Depictions
• Collection of Zeus (Greek) Statues and Depictions
• Collection of Coyolxauhqui (Aztec) Ancient and Modern Depictions
• Collection of Anubis (Egypt) Ancient and Modern Depictions

Now that you have abstracted specific qualities from religious figures in various cultures, let's observe how a god from Ancient Greece has been depicted and how the qualities of that god are reflected in the architecture of their temple.

Poseidon, the Greek God of the Sea is often depicted in the presence of sea creatures and holding a trident. The temple dedicated to Poseidon is located on the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula. It was the last thing seafarers and warriors would see when leaving the peninsula and was the first spot sea travelers would see when they arrived.

Defining characteristics of this temple aside from its location include the pool of water that originally surrounded the temple and the 5-meter statue of Poseidon situated in the center of the temple that could be seen from the sea.

Consider how the ways in which Poseidon was depicted in Ancient Greece and how the architecture of the temple in his name reflects these characteristics. Use this example as a model for how you will design a temple for the ancient religious figure of your choice.

So far, you have made a sketch of a temple to an ancient religious figure of your choice! Are you familiar with or have you been interested in learning how to create 3D models? If so, you can take this project a step further by using any 3D Modelling tool to make your creation come to life. Consider using a common tool such as Tinkercad or Minecraft for your 3D model