Curriculum Materials: Art in America
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Image 1 Caddo Questions: |
Think Questions
1. What kinds of details did the artist choose to leave out of this bird-shaped bowl? Why do you think the artist chose to leave these details out? How would the bowl be different if these details were added?
2. Where does clay come from? Why do you think the Caddo and other Mississippian potters used clay to make their containers? Have you ever made anything from clay? How did you do it? How was this bowl made? Why might the coil method be particularly suited for making pottery?
3. The Caddo depended largely on agriculture for their livelihood. Why would the development of agriculture lead to pottery production? For what purpose do you think this vessel was used? Why would someone make special vessels for food?
4. The art of Native Americans of the Mississippi valley tells us that they made useful objects special by decorating them. How has this bowl been decorated? Look around your classroom. Name several objects that are useful. Are they decorated? Why are some useful objects not decorated? Think of objects you have at home that are useful. Are any of these decorated? How? If you could make any object in your classroom beautiful, which object would you choose? Why? How would you decorate it or change it to make it beautiful?
5. We do not know for certain why the Caddo potter chose to make this bowl in a bird form. We assume that the Caddo respected birds and may have considered them spiritual creatures. Why might the Caddo have admired birds so much? What special qualities do birds have that humans do not?
6. Compare and contrast this Caddo vessel with the Acoma Pueblo Jar. What do they have in common? Can you tell that both objects were made using the coil method? If yes, how? If no, why not? How do they differ? What might account for these differences?
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