CTO 311 CAC 308 Aspects of African Art and Crafts PDF

Department of History and Archaeology: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences University of Nairobi CTO 311 / CAC 308 Aspects of African Art and Crafts Lecturer: Mwanzia Kyule [email protected] Introduction: The course is a survey and exploration of various a...

Department of History and Archaeology: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences University of Nairobi CTO 311 / CAC 308 Aspects of African Art and Crafts Lecturer: Mwanzia Kyule [email protected] Introduction: The course is a survey and exploration of various aspects of African Art and Crafts. Students will be introduced to terminologies, histories, typologies, methodologies of manufacture, and the socio-cultural utilization and consumption of African Art and Crafts. The course is designed to enhance student interest in the study of Art and Crafts, the development of careers that are based on African culture and heritage, and the content is beneficial in related programs such Tourism and Travel, History, Archaeology, Museology, Anthropology, Religious Studies, African Sociology and Philosophy among others. Description Origins and development of art and crafts, history of the study of African art and crafts, elements and themes; typology and purpose; symbolism and aesthetics; past and present role and utilization; contemporary African art and crafts; African artists and crafters; conservation, protection and sustainability; African art and crafts in world perspective. Objectives To develop: an understanding of the history, nature and character of African art and crafts appreciation, personal and professional interest in African art and crafts capacity to identify, analyze and interpret works of African art competence to contextualize issues in the study and utilization of African art and crafts skills toward the conservation, protection and sustainable utilization of African heritage Mode of instruction Lectures, videos, discussions, demonstrations, site visits, practical evaluation of images and artefacts Learning outcomes At the end of the course, students are expected to demonstrate capacity for: knowledge and understanding of themes, issues and debates on art and crafts knack of basic terms, definitions and concepts of art and crafts skills pertinent to the study and utilization of art and crafts tracing the history of African art and crafts  distinguishing different types of African art and crafts discussing various methods of heritage conservation exploring social, religious and economic aspects of African art explaining the relationship between symbolism and aesthetics in African art and crafts awareness of global perspectives of African art and crafts Assessment: Students will be assessed continuously through various tests (CATS) that include an essay report on research derived from parts of the course content, emerging issues, challenges and mitigation, and brief reviews of related literature and relevant media (documentaries and short videos). There will be a 2-hour final written examination at the end of the course Learning and Reading material Topic specific learning material and references will be provided in class. The lecturer will recommend additional references to students who would wish to deepen their understanding of specific topics. Primary reading material and references Alec C. Campbell and David Coulson, 2010. The Dawn of Imagination: Rock Art in Africa. Trust for African Rock Art, Nairobi. Beidelman, T. O., 1997. "Promoting African Art. The Catalogue to the Exhibit of African Art at the Royal Academy of Arts, London", Anthropos, Vol. 92, H. 1./3. Blackmun Visonà, Monica et al., 2001. A History of Art in Africa Prentice Hall, New York. Breunig, P. ,2014. Nok. African Sculpture in Archaeological Context. Frankfurt: Africa Magna Verlag. Claire Polakoff, 1978. Crafts and the Concept of Art in Africa. African Arts Vol. 12, No. 1. Clarke, Christa, 2003."Defining African Art: Primitive Negro Sculpture and the Aesthetic Philosophy of Albert Barnes." African Arts 36. Doris, David T., 2005. “Symptoms and Strangeness in Yorùbá Anti-aesthetics.” African Arts, 38. Ezra, K.,1992. Royal art of Benin: the Perls collection. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Hugh Honour and John Fleming, 1982. A World History of Art, Macmillan, London Kyule M. D., 2009: Aspects of African Art and Crafts, Center for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), University of Nairobi. LaGamma, A., 2000. Art and oracle: African art and rituals of divination. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Perani, Judith, and Fred T. Smith, 1998."Approaches to the Study of African Art." In The Visual Arts of Africa: Gender, Power, and Life Cycle Rituals, 5-6. Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall, NJ. Rachewiltz, Boris de, 1966. Introduction to African Art. Translated by Peter Whigham. New American Library, New York. Ritchie, Carson I. A., 1976. Review of Contemporary African Arts and Crafts: On-Site Working with Art Forms and Processes, by Thelma R. Newman. Leonardo, vol. 9 no. 4. Ross, Emma George, 2000. "African Christianity in Ethiopia" In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Sample topical Documentaries and Videos African Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpz_gukd7vw Africa's looted art | DW Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RXlVr_15JY Benin: A Country Armed with Powerful Spirituality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKIS- uOBwPI I Carve A Landscaping Rock (and other shenanigans): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpY1dRCfWtE Inside The Biggest African Craft Market In Mozambique/FEIMA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UTVBnUXnTA Let's tour the BIGGEST African craft market in Kenya 🇰🇪: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCMWgXor8CA The market with traditional African art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNqTqDieCwg The Mystery of Namoratunga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOb_sjDmkiA The Search for San Rock Art - Cederberg South Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjiYLILTPOI Sample web links A teacher's guide for arts, music and drama in Africa (UNESCO): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373359 African art: https://www.britannica.com/art/African-art/Senufo Contemporary African Art: https://www.contemporary-african-art.com/african-craft.html The Global Influence of African Art: https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-global-influence-of- african-art.html Trust for African Rock Art (TARA): https://www.bradshawfoundation.com/africa/index.php