First, ask yourself some questions about the artwork. To answer them, you may need to review what the APIA website says about art, culture and history and the Alaska Native Knowledge Network says about Aleut/Unangan values. Here are the first questions: How do economic (subsistence) activities seem to you to be reflected in their art? How does Aleut history seem to be reflected in their art? How do Aleut values seem to be reflected in their art?
You won't be able to answer each of these questions about each of the pictures. More likely, you'll find one, two or three pieces of art that make an impression on you.
Next, choose a piece and think about your response to it. Ask yourself these questions:
1. What about this work stands out in my mind?We'll ask ourselves variations on these questions all semester. Please note: If you were taught in English class never to say "I" in a paper for school, you're off the hook in this class! There's no way you can write about these questions without saying "I." I guarantee it.
2. What in my background, values, needs and interests makes me react that way?
3. What specific things in the work trigger that reaction?
Scroll down to the bottom of this post. On the right side of the last line, there will be a link that says "___ posts" (with a number filled in where I've left a blank, depending on how many comments have been posted). Click on that link and fill in the comment field on the right. Sign in (make a note of the username and password you choose because we'll keep on posting to the blog), review your comment if you wish and publish it by clicking on "Publish Your Comment." Logical, isn't it?
A footnote. The lettering at the top of Dimitri Philemonof's page is in an old-fashioned Russian alphabet. I have no idea what it says, or even what language it's in. Both Old Church Slavonic, the language used in Russian Orthodox services during the 1800s, and Unangan were written in the script.
