OAXACA

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If youll have a seat, we will get going in just
a moment! You wont be needing your sketchbooks
today.
Hello my name is Ms. Delta
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Ladies and gentleman, we are about to take OFF
to a far away land!!!

• WAIT!. Where are we going?

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We are going on a virtual trip to MEXICO!!!
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Mexican Folk Art Traditions

• Clay Pottery
• Embroidered Cotton Garments
• Wool Shawls
• Colorful Baskets
• Multicolored Rugs
• Wood Carvings

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Working with Earth

• Natural Materials
• Clay a naturally occurring material (fine grain
  soil)
• Cotton the crop of a plant
• Wool the coat of a sheep or a goat
• Baskets The most common used materials are
  wicker, ditch reed, rush, palm, sugar cane, straw
  and rod.

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We are going to spend our VIRTUAL time
in OAXACA, MEXICO!
Oaxaca Mexico
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Oaxaca, Mexico

• Pronounced
• Wah - Ha Kah

It's an appealing city, with its year-round
spring climate, cobblestone streets and marvelous
stone buildings and plazas.
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OAXACA Wood Carvings
Alebrijes Imaginative creatures called Alebrijes
(ali-bre-haze). Creatively carved by the
artists hand, no two pieces will ever be exactly
alike. Each one unique, each one a piece of art.
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Where did Alebrijes come from?The name
Alebrijes was given by a Mexican Indian of the
State of Oaxaca. He had a dream where he saw
strange creatures. They were a combination of
two animals in one. In the dream the animals
were making strange sounds that he could not
understand.The one word that he could understand
was Alebrije.
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Carving Dreams!

• When he awoke he took a piece of Copal Wood
  (which is native to Oaxaca) and started carving
  the animals that he saw in his dream.
• Alebrijes are traditionally made from wood,
  however artists are also know to create these
  fantasy animals with Papier Mache.
• We will be sculpting animals with one of earths
  materials. CLAY!

Sculpting Dreams!
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Alebrijes Characteristics

• Fantasy Animals
• Simple forms
• Simple shapes
• Smooth Surface
• Intense, vibrant colors
• Blending and Pattern
• Contour Emphasis

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MUD WASP
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coyote
Emphasis
COLOR EVERWHERE!
Tint!
Warm Cool
Shape
Form
Negative Space
Line
Organic
Geometric
Tertiary Color!
contrast
Texture
I see elements of art and principles of design.
Do you?
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FROG
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RABBIT
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Anteater
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RACCOON
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PIG
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TURKEY
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Mythical and FantasyEven the Mexican flag
features a mythical eagle!
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Review of our virtual Trip!

• Went to another country
• Discovered Mexican folk art traditions...
• What are Alebrijes
• Where did they originate
• Viewed artwork
• identified the elements and principles of the
  artwork
• Viewed numerous animal sculptures
• Now lets think back to The Bronx Zoo

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Do You Remember the BRONX ZOO?

• Remember all the fun you had?
• There were so many animals there.
• What were your favorite animals?
• List 2 animals.
• Example Lion Tortoise.
• Why are they your favorite animals?
• Give 2 characteristics.
• Example powerful king, old and wise.
• What would these animals look like together?

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Complete your worksheet with a sketch of a
Alebrije!
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Image reference

• http//www.oaxacanwoodcarving.com/gallfamilr.html
  retrieved on November 5th 2007
• Mexico Map http//www.nativenetworks.si.edu/images
  /map_mexico.gif retrieved on November 5th 2007