Kim Prati

SLM -521

Last updated 4/3/06

Web Dropin 1

 

The Collages of Romare Bearden

Today we are going to start a unit on collage. One of the great American collage artists was Romare Bearden. In 1971, Bearden created The Block, a collage of a block in Harlem. Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art web site to view this work of art and learn about the artist. Click on the link below to begin: http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/the_block/index_flash.html

 

1. First, take the GUIDED TOUR tab of The Block, narrated by the Associate Curator, Lisa Messinger. Listen closely to the curator's summary of this work of art. Then, answer the following question: Why do think the artist chose this subject for his artwork?

 

 

 

2. Second, click on the LOOK CLOSELY tab. Spend a few minutes zooming in on all the panels of the artwork.

a. Name five materials that the artist used to create his collage.

 

 

 

 

  1. Name two activities that you see people doing.

 

 

 

 

3. Third, click on the ROMARE BEARDEN tab and read about the artist. The artist said, "You should always respect what you are and your culture because if your art is going to mean anything, that is where it comes from."

Do you agree with this statement? Why?