Activity: Indian Architecture
Learn about the elements of architecture commonly found in India during the Mughal empire. Create your own cut-paper temple, mosque, or mausoleum using these elements of architecture.
Grade Level: Grades 3-5, Grades K-2 Collection: South Asian Art Culture/Region: India Subject Area: Fine Arts Activity Type: Hands-On Activity
OVERVIEW
Mughal architecture flourished on the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal empire from 1526-1857. Under the patronage of the Mughal emperors various styles, including Persian and Indian, were used together to produce works of great quality and unusual style. Early Mughal building uses arches sparingly, relying instead on post and lintel construction. They are built of red sandstone or white marble. Mughal architecture peaked during the reign of the emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1858) with its crowning achievement being the Taj Mahal. This period is marked by a use of the double dome, a recessed archway, and park-like surroundings filled with gardens and reflecting pools. Symmetry and balance between the parts of the building were always stressed while the delicacy of details is world-renowned. It was during this final stage of Mughal architecture that whtie marble was used.
VOCABULARY
architecture – buildings of any kind and in any form. column – a structural element that takes the weight of the building it supports and distributes it to the ground below. onion dome – an archiectural element that resembles the shape of an onion. It is bulbous and tapers to a point. arch – a curved, semi-circular architectural element that spans a space and carries a load from above. Garden Pavilion, 19th century mosque – a Muslim temple or place of public Indian, Rajasthan, vicinity of Bharatpur Indian worship. White marble with black schist and brown mottled marble inlays mausoleum – a stately and magnificient tomb. Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund 2005.2 temple – an edifice or place dedicated to the service or worship of a deity or deities.
ACTIVITY
Materials:
Glue sticks Black markers Paper cutouts of different architectural elements (dome, column, arch) – cut from white, brown or red cardstock or construction paper Variety of paper squares and rectangles to serve as basic building forms – cut from white, brown or red Photo: Jon-Phillip Sheridan © VMFA Family cardstock or construction paper Event Celebrate the Art of India Full sheets of black construction paper or cardstock
Directions:
1. Start with a full sheet of black cardstock or construction paper. 2. Glue the largest square or rectangle cutout (the shape of the building) onto the black paper near the center of the paper. 3. Select which architectural elements you would like to include on your building. 4. Glue the selected cutouts onto the shape of the building already glued onto the black paper. 5. Add more squares/rectangles on either side of the largest square if desired in order to create a more elaborate building. 6. Layering the different elements of the building should produce a shallow bas-relief effect. 7. After gluing is completed, draw in the details of the building with black marker. Details can include windows, doors, carvings/patterns, etc.
Identify the architectural elements!
Where is an onion dome on your building? Do you have any columns? What about arches? RELATED WORKS IN VMFA'S COLLECTION
The buildings in these paintings are from different places and times. What kinds of buildings do you think these are? Can you identify any architectural elements in these artworks that are also found on your creation? What makes these buildings different from your creation?
Garden Pavilion
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Garden Pavilion
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