Civilizations+of+the+Americans

Designing Murals to Commemorate Civilizations of the Americas California State Standard 7.7

You will design a small-scale mural that answers this question:

**“What were the major cultural achievements ** **of the classic Maya, Aztecs, and Inca?” **

A mural is a painting on a wall. Murals have been painted in many ways for many reasons under varying conditions—social, political, economic, aesthetic—for tens of thousands of years. Today’s community murals represent the blending of social (historical) and artistic traditions. Murals are very popular among community arts organizers, especially those in the Latino community. Murals have a long history in Latin American culture—from the 8th century Bonampak murals of the Maya to the masterworks of greats such as 20th century Mexico’s Diego Rivera. The high status of murals as a form of expression is well-established in many communities in the United States. Community murals may be painted by groups or individuals, but they are always closely connected to those who live or work near them. The mural medium provides a means of expression for poor and working-class people, and at a relatively low production cost. Murals offer a forum for the expression of ideas for people who have limited access to other forms of mass media.

Your mural will be two parts representing the achievements of the Maya, Aztecs, and the Inca. You will use symbols, illustrations, quotes, maps, pictures, and timelines. You will write a one-page artist’s statement that explains the mural to your viewers.


 * __Requirements __**