Curriculum Materials: Art in America
|
|
|
Image 14 Lakota Questions: |
Think Questions Teacher Answer Key
1. Tell the story of turtle's association with creation in Lakota culture. Women beaded turtle MOTIFS on their dresses, leggings, bags, and on cradleboards and AMULETS for their baby girls. Why do you think turtle is associated with women in Lakota culture? (Turtle's association with creation makes it an animal representative of women's power to create life.)
2. The characteristics of a turtle were prized by Lakota people. Wome aspired to be like the turtle and hoped their children would also take on the qualities of the turtle. What qualities do turtles have that women might want for themselves and their children? (Turtles live very long lives, are resilient, can thrive on both land and water, and are always protected by their shell.)
3. Lakota mythology surrounding the turtle has to do with the creation of the world. Can you think of another popular story about a turtle? ("The Hare and the Tortoise.") What qualities were associated with that turtle? ("Slow and steady always win the race.") Can you think of other animals that exhibit qualities people find desirable? (Lions are courageous; foxes are sly and smart; elephants have great memory; owls are wise; mice are quiet; bees are busy; oxen are strong.)
4. This Lakota dress was made to be worn while dancing. If we were to see it as it was meant to be used, we would hear music, the beads would reflect the light, the bells would jingle, and the fringe would swing and sway with the dancer's movements. Is it possible for us to appreciate this dress as a work of art even though we cannot see it being worn in a dance? Why or why not? Would we appreciate the dress more if we could see the dress on a dancer? Why or why not? (No right answer.)
5. Do you have a garment that you wear for special occasions? Of what materials is it made? How is it decorated? What kinds of activity are you involved in when you wear it? (Baseball uniform, ballet costume, party clothes, Cub or Girl Scout uniform, etc.) What features of the garment identify you as part of a special group, family, or nationality?
6. Compare and contrast the Lakota Woman's Dress and
Cadzi Cody's Painted Hide. What
material do these two have in common? (Hide.) What
was each used for? (The dress was made to be worn for
dancing; the hide was made to record aspects of Plains
Indian life.) What are the basic differences between the
designs? (The designs on the dress are
GEOMETRIC and very
ABSTRACT; the designs
on the hide are
REPRESENTATIONAL
and slightly
ABSTRACT.) What do
you think the designs on each object show or mean? (The
dress refers to the
turtle and the creation story; the
hide shows important events in Plains Indian life.)
|
|