Metal Etching with Ferric Acid
DESIGNS BASED ON CULTURAL MOTIFS, PATTERNS & SYMBOLS
Project Criteria:
- Research Cultural Designs & their meanings
- Draw 4-6 Possible different pattern designs (Using shapes, negative shapes/drop out, lines, and patterns from your research) *Make it unique to you, combine patterns and avoid copying symbols exactly
- Finalize 1 design and list the steps involved (from transferring the design to finishing touches)
- Optional Embellishments: Combine metals (after etching), add wire loops or wire edging, file patterns add a patina of Gun Bluing for contrast...
- Use best craftsmanship techniques (file all soldering and sawed edges- bevel, sand surfaces all surfaces, buff and polish, add Gun Bluing evenly, then remove from the raised surface.
Aboriginal Patterns & SymbolsIndigenous Australian art is the oldest ongoing form of artistic expression in the world. The earliest forms of Aboriginal art were rock carvings and paintings, body painting and ground designs. There are engravings on cave walls in Arnhem Land dating back at least 40,000 years. The ancient rock art and engravings depict figures, birds, animals, mythological creatures and non-figurative designs. Paintings and engravings of more recent origin sometimes lie next to these ancient paintings, or even partly cover them.
Ta MOKO Maori people of New ZealandTā moko is the permanent body and face marking by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Traditionally it is distinct from tattoo and tatau in that the skin was carved by uhi (chisels) rather than punctured. This left the skin with grooves, rather than a smooth surface.
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ADINKRA - Symbol GuideAfrican symbols known as adinkra are abundant in Ghana, a beautiful West African country on the Atlantic. Adinkra cloths were traditionally only worn by royalty and spiritual leaders for funerals and other special occasions. They were originally hand printed with stamps carved from gourds and red, dark brown or black inks. Now these symbols can be worn by anyone, and are often mass-produced and can be found on cloth and walls, in pottery and logos. The symbols have a decorative function but also represent objects that encapsulate distinct messages that evoke traditional wisdom, like proverbs. They were one of the ways a pre-literate society transmitted complex and nuanced beliefs.
Arabic Script & Islamic SymbolismWhile many religions have made use of figural images to convey their core convictions, Islam has instead used the shapes and sizes of words or letters. In Islam figural arts is seen as a possible implication of idolatry, and therefore early Muslims looked to the artistry of calligraphy for religious expression. In Islamic and Arabic cultures, calligraphy became highly respected as an art - the art of writing.
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Chinese Calligraphy & SymbolismThe Chinese writing system is an unique phenomenon in the modern world of alphabet scripts. Instead of a few dozen letters, it has developed thousands of complex signs or "characters" that represent morphemes and words. Even related writing systems such as Japanese and Korean, while sharing many of the same characters, can fully function as purely phonetic scripts. The first recognizable form of Chinese writing dates from 3,500 years ago, but many argue that its origins lie much deeper in the past. Regardless of its actual age, Chinese has evolved substantially over time yet has retained its ancient core, making it one of the longest continuously used writing system in the world.
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