Technology: Innovation
Irene Warren
Sweet Water, Arizona, and Bluff, Utah Rug Pictorial 1994 fiber SMA 1995.006 Having learned the artistic style at a young age, the artist created woven rugs depicting aspects of her life growing up in a Navajo livestock-raising family. This work combines the classic Native American style of patterns, combined with 20th Century methods and tools for raising livestock.
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Dennis Von Smith
Highland, Utah Barn Swallow 2002 mixed media SMA 2002.008 Though this plane would not be able to withstand an actual takeoff, it is a physical representation of the freedom and creativity found in the imagination of a child. It is an abstract representation of a flying machine, created through the use of mixed media materials.
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Unidentified Artist
Egypt, New Kingdom Ushabti for the Scribe Nebre 1307- 1070 BCE faience UMFA1952.131A,B Ushabti figures were buried in tombs in Ancient Egypt and came to life to work for people in the afterlife. The more powerful a person was, the more ushabti they were buried with—a pharaoh would be buried with thousands. Ushabtis were made in molds. How did Ancient Egyptians use molds, a new technology, to solve a problem?
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Unidentified Artist
Peru Mountain Village Arpillera late 20th century textile ED2015.1.2 Arpilleras originated in Chile during Pinochet’s dictatorship. These textiles are full of symbolism and tell stories about life in the villages from where they came—the pumpkins in this arpillera symbolize a good harvest season. Textiles were allowed to pass between villages during the dictatorship because they weren’t considered a threat. How did this technology solve a communication problem?
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- Technology uses knowledge for new inventions that help make people's lives easier. What different types of technology do we see here? How was innovation used in creating this technology?
- Look at the four different artworks and the technology they represent. What makes them similar? What makes them different? How has the technology shown been modernized? With your choice of medium, software program, pencil, etc., create a drawing of what the technology represented in the artworks look like today, you could also create a companion piece and design and depict a future version of the technology.
- Think about some of the technology you use in class. How can you use that technology in a new way to complete your homework?