ART+as+QUICK+CULTURE

An ART IMAGE can be a complement to many culture, vocabulary and even grammar activities. It requires students to CREATE LANGUAGE as they DESCRIBE (an Intermediate level task). Here are just a few ways to use an art piece:

= COMPARE AND CONTRAST ACTIVITIES =


 * 1. Birthday Celebrations** - Vocabulary in this painting could be identified by both Level 1 and 2 students. Students could be asked to describe the painting - predict what is being celebrated as well as the cultural heritage depicted. A good cultural activity to do with this painting is to have students create a Venn Diagram that compares and contrasts their Birthday Celebrations with those found in the painting. A more advanced Compare/Contrast Task is included here that includes Subjunctive and Pluscuamperfecto.
 * [[image:egnatz-integratingculture/CLomasGarza_Birthday.jpg width="443" height="331" caption="CLomasGarza_Birthday.jpg"]] ||
 * A Restrospective by Carmen Lomas Garza ||


 * [|Details]
 * [[file:egnatz-integratingculture/Compare_Contrast_CLGarza_Fiesta_Ex3.docx|Download]]
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Velásquez, Picasso, Dalí and Botero. It is an opportunity to discuss: art genres or schools / the Spanish artists' tradition of painting themselves in the painting / the originality of each artist / student preferences, etc.
 * 2. Compare the same "Work" by Different Artists** -[| "LAS MENINAS"] has been interpreted by many different artists including
 * [[image:egnatz-integratingculture/Las_Meninas_Trio.png caption="Las_Meninas_Trio.png"]] ||
 * "Las Meninas" by Velasquez, Picasso and Dali ||

USING A PAINTING TO PROMPT CONVERSATION
The painting below by Botero appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine featuring articles on American obesity. Students can describe the painting, give the family recommendations on diet and exercise, etc. This technique is great for emotional and/or controversial topics as well as current events. Suggestions include: Picasso's "Guernica" and Botero's "El Terremoto."

USING A PAINTING TO INTRODUCE A CULTURAL TOPIC
The painting below, "La Molendera" by Diego Rivera is a great way to introduce Mesoamerican Cuisine and the importance of "corn" from both a nutritional and mythological perspective. OR at Level One - teach how the word "TORTILLA" differs in Mexico and Spain.

Carmen Lomas Garza (Texas, USA) is a great artist to use to introuce vocabulary. Her paintings have multiple characters providing an opportunity for giving description. Partners can describe a painting to each other, identify vocabulary, etc. Her works are great for making cultural connections (What is the same at your house? What is different?) "La tamalada" can be used to describe the kitchen, cooking terms, clothing, family members, etc. Grammar such as commands, present progressive and prepositions can also work well with this painting.
 * [[image:egnatz-integratingculture/la_tamalada_CarmenLomasGarza.jpg width="406" height="303" caption="la_tamalada_CarmenLomasGarza.jpg"]] ||
 * "La tamalada" - Carmen Lomas Garza ||