Contextualization

African art carries an immeasurable wealth, not only aesthetic, but also historical and cultural. With its vibrant colors, dynamic forms, and complex symbols, each piece represents a universe full of messages and lessons about the past and present of African cultures. And make no mistake, there is no single 'African art'. Africa harbors immense cultural diversity, and each region, tribe, and people have their unique artistic expressions.

The presence of the African continent and its cultures, however, is not limited to Africa itself. Through the African diaspora, mainly due to the transatlantic slave trade, African art reached various parts of the world, directly influencing the creation of new art forms in places like Brazil, the United States, Cuba, Haiti, among others. In Brazil, African influence is present in our music, dance, cuisine, religion, and, of course, in the visual arts.

Introduction

Initially, it is important to reflect on what is considered art. In many African cultures, there is no word that exactly resembles what we understand as 'art'. This is because, for these cultures, the objects we classify as art are deeply embedded in their daily lives and rituals, fulfilling social, religious, or political functions.

Among the most notable aspects of African art is its diversity of materials. Wood, gold, ivory, bronze, terracotta, basketry, fabrics, and beads. Everything can be raw material in the creation of pieces full of meaning. Sculptures, masks, fabrics, jewelry, body paintings, and everyday use utensils can be considered part of this rich African artistic expression.

Another crucial point is to understand that African art, in its various forms, is laden with symbolism. Symbols are a way to convey complex messages in a simple and direct manner. Each drawing, each color, each figure has a meaning. Whether it is a revered ancestor, a worshiped spirit, a historical event, or a social norm.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Exploring African Art: A Shared Journey

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to have students explore African art, learning about its history, diversity, symbolism, and impact on Brazilian art. To achieve this, students will conduct research, create an artwork inspired by African techniques and styles, organize a virtual exhibition, and write a report.

Detailed Project Description

This project will be carried out by groups of 3 to 5 students. The total duration of the project will be approximately one month, with an estimated workload of five to ten hours per student.

Required Materials

1. Research materials: books, internet access, etc.
2. Art materials: paper, pencils, paints, brushes, colorful fabrics, beads, among others.

Step-by-Step Guide for Activity Execution

1. Research: Each group must choose and research a specific manifestation of African art. This can be an art form from a specific region, an artistic technique, a common symbol or theme in African art, or an art form that was influenced by African art, such as carnival masks in Brazil.

2. Creation of an artwork: Based on the research, each group will create their own artwork. The artwork can be a painting, sculpture, fabric, mask, or any other art form that the students choose. The creation should be inspired by the studied African art, but it does not need to be a replica. The idea is for students to apply what they have learned in the research to their own creation.

3. Virtual exhibition: After creating the artworks, the groups will organize a virtual exhibition. Each group will have a virtual 'booth' where they can present their research, explain their artwork, and discuss the impact of African art on Brazilian culture. The exhibition can be done on an online platform, such as a website or a virtual meeting room.

4. Writing a report: Finally, each group must write a report on the project. The report should have the following sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

   • Introduction: Provide context for the chosen theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the project's objective.
   • Development: Explain the theory behind the project's central theme, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and finally, present and discuss the results obtained.
   • Conclusions: Conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.
   • Bibliography: List the sources used to work on the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Project Deliverables

The deliverables of this project include the finalized artwork, the virtual exhibition, and the written report.

The finalized artwork should be photographed and sent to the teacher. The photograph will be used in the virtual exhibition and will be part of the project evaluation.

The virtual exhibition should be recorded and the video link sent to the teacher. The virtual exhibition will be evaluated based on the presentation of the research, the explanation of the artwork, and the discussion on the influence of African art.

The written report will be a key piece of the project evaluation, as it is where the group will express in-depth the theoretical learning obtained, the experience of the artistic practice, and the conclusion of the project. Therefore, it should be well-structured and easy to read, following the topics suggested in the project description.