Art Around The World
Art is important all around the world. It can be amusing, entertaining, informative and inspiring. Or it can be
threatening, disturbing and challenging. It can strengthen traditional values, spread new ideas or preserve a
treasured heritage from past times.
The ancient Greeks were the greatest sculptors of the ancient world. They used sculptures to decorate their
temples. The Greeks were experts at turning stone into life-like imitations of real people.
Traditionally, Native Americans carved tall tree trunks into towering totem poles, and placed them outside the
homes of powerful families. They were singns of high rank, and records of family history, they were sometime
also thought to have protective powers.
In Tibet, painted canvas cloths called tankas hang in Buddhist temples. They show gods, spirits and sacred
symbols, and help Buddhist worshippers pray. The artists who create tankas follow strict rules and use
traditional patterns and colours when composing their designs.
Answer the following questions.
1. Why is art important all around the world?
2. What does art strengthen?
3. Who were the greatest sculptors of the ancient world? What did they use sculpture for?
4. What did the Native Americans carve?
5. What were the totem poles signs of?
6. What are 'tankas'? How are they created?
Answers
Answer:
1.Ans- Art is important all around the world because it can be amusing, entertaining, information and inspiring or it can even be threatening, disturbing and challenging.
2.Ans- Art strengthens traditional values, spread new ideas or preserve a treasured heritage from past times.
3.Ans- The ancient Greeks were the greatest sculptors of the ancient world.
They used sculptures to decorate their temples as they were experts at turning stone into life - like imitations of real people.
4.Ans-The Native Americans carved tall tree trunks into towering totem poles.
5.Ans- The totem poles signified the high ranks and records of the family history, they were sometimes also thought to have protective powers.
6.Ans-'Tankas' refers to the painted canvas cloths hang in Buddhist temples in Tibet.
The tankas are created by artists by following strict rules and using traditional colours and patterns while composing their designs.