Please answer these questions about the Early Mesopotamian Ziggurats.You can use any picture on google of one of the Ziggurats I just need help on an outline for the answers to these questions.
1. What kind of texture do you see? Describe them. Where do you see them? How are they used?
2. Are there opened and closed spaces in the work? What takes up the most space in the work? If it is a two-dimensional work of art (flat), is there the illusion of three-dimensional space?
3. Is value an important part of the artwork? Are there little or no changes in value? (This refers to value in terms of the lightness or darkness found in the artwork, and not monetary value or importance.)
4. Where is the focus? How doest the artist make this area stand out? Does another color, shape, space, or texture make it stand out? What are the differences in each element? Is there a wide variety of colors, lines, shapes, textures? Is there little variety?
5. Do you see pattern or repetition in this artwork? What has the artist/artisan used to create that effect? Does it make your eye move around the picture?
6. Balance: Is the picture/artwork balanced? Is it symmetrical or asymmetrical? Has the artist used color, shape, or space to create the balance?
7. Proportion: This refers to the size of the parts to the whole. How do you describe the proportionate relationships in the artwork? Are they distorted? Elongated? Exaggerated?
8. Unity: Unity is the feeling of the image "holding together." Is the picture or artwork unified? What elements has the artist used to create unity?
9. What mood or feeling seems to be expressed in this artwork (if any)? Does it seem quiet? Happy? Powerful?
10. What in the work makes you think this?
11. Does the work express or remind you of some experiences you might have had, seen, heard, or read about?
1. Texture: In the Early Mesopotamian Ziggurats, the texture appears rough and uneven. It is predominantly seen on the exterior walls of the ziggurat structure. The texture is achieved through the use of baked and glazed bricks, which give a rough and textured appearance when seen closely. This texture serves both functional and decorative purposes, providing structural strength to the ziggurat and also adding visual interest to the overall design.
2. Opened and closed spaces: The ziggurats generally have closed spaces within their structure, such as narrow staircases leading to the top platform which are enclosed by walls. The most significant space in the ziggurat is the top platform, which takes up the most space and serves as a sacred area for religious activities. Since ziggurats are three-dimensional structures, there is no illusion of three-dimensional space as it is already present.
3. Value: In the ziggurats, value plays a minimal role in the artwork. This is because the bricks used in their construction are generally of a uniform color and do not showcase significant variations in lightness or darkness.
4. Focus: The focus in the ziggurats is generally on the top platform or the central core of the structure. The artist achieves this by making the top platform larger and more prominent compared to the rest of the structure. The differences in elements like shape and texture also contribute to making the top platform stand out. However, there is not much variety in colors, lines, shapes, or textures within the ziggurats.
5. Pattern/Repetition: Pattern and repetition can be seen in the ziggurats, especially in the arrangement of the baked and glazed bricks. The artisan intentionally creates repetitive patterns by alternating the placement of the bricks, forming distinct horizontal bands or rows. This repetition creates visual interest and can make the viewer's eye move around the structure.
6. Balance: The ziggurats exhibit a balanced composition. They are primarily symmetrical structures, with the central core and staircases evenly balanced on both sides. The use of color, shape, and space is not the primary focus in creating the balance in this artwork.
7. Proportion: The proportionate relationships in the ziggurats are generally not distorted, elongated, or exaggerated. The overall structure follows a symmetrical and proportionate design, with each level decreasing in size as it ascends towards the topmost platform.
8. Unity: The ziggurats exhibit unity as a result of their consistent use of materials and architectural features. The use of baked and glazed bricks, along with a repetitive pattern, creates a cohesive and unified appearance across the entire structure.
9. Mood/feeling: The ziggurats express a sense of power and grandeur. They give a feeling of awe and reverence due to their massive size and their association with Mesopotamian religious practices.
10. Reasoning for mood: The colossal scale of the ziggurats, along with their elevated platforms and intricate architectural details, contribute to the feeling of power. Additionally, the religious and sacred significance of the ziggurats adds to the overall mood conveyed.
11. Personal experiences: The ziggurats may remind some individuals of ancient religious and cultural structures they have seen or read about, such as the pyramids of Egypt or the temples of ancient civilizations. The ziggurats may also evoke a sense of historical significance and connection to the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, based on the experiences, knowledge, and readings about that period.