Teaching Materials - Lesson - Depicting Abstract Concepts through Art

Depicting Abstract Concepts Through Art

Maria Mercurio, James Madison High School
Level: Any ESL

HANDOUT (407 Kb) (Image of Guanyin from "Visible Traces" by The Queens Borough Public Library)

Instructional Objectives:

1. Understand and use selected vocabulary
2. Examine image of Guanyin (image of compassion)
3. Analyze components of image
4. Produce own image of abstract idea through art

Aim: How is the abstract idea of compassion shown through a visual image of Guanyin?

Motivation:

How do images/symbols function?
! = love 5 = forbidden $ = money
Why is knowledge of a culture's symbolic language important to understanding an image? Country's flag, money, historical figure.

Vocabulary:

1. Buddhism - a religion based on the teachings of Buddha
2. bodhisattva - Buddhist saint
3. enlightenment - ultimate wisdom, complete peace
4. delay - put off, do at a later date
5. nirvana - paradise, heaven
6. iconography - reading of symbols in a painting or sculpture
7. interpret - explain the meaning of
8. mandala - (Sanskrit word) circle
9. symbolism - use of symbols (images) to express ideas
10. depict - show

Procedure:

1. Teach vocabulary in context.

2. Distribute photocopies of the Portrait of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. Explain that it is a portrait of Guanyin, the bodhisattva associated with compassion and mercy. It is a vivid example of hos ideas and doctrines are communicated and shared through images. Ask the students how the concept of compassion is represented in this rubbing. Point out that this is not a fixed representation of the godess. It is believed that there are as many as thirty-three different images of Guanyin - both male and female, young and old in Chinese iconography.

3. As a class, make a list of the features that students see in the image (plants, waves, a child, circles behind the heads of Guanyin, etc.) Explain that in art, some features are universal, meaning that they can be readily understood by anyone, whereas others are specific to a particular culture.

4. Distribute the Iconography for the Portrait of the Bodhisattva Guanyin handout and see if, knowing the properties of some of the symbols in the image of Guanyin, students can guess their meaning.

5. How would students depict and abstract notion, such as compassion, freedom, or stability in an image? Ask students to include symbols from their own experience. Provide materials for creating drawings.

6. Display the artworks and discuss the symbolism and treatment of abstract concepts