El Anatsui

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A shimmering piece could provide a backdrop for sharing stories. Sacred Moon 2007 Aluminum, copper wire 103 x 141 in. Mott-Warsh Collection, Flint, Michigan, 608 Sacred Moon is a shimmering, shining, tapestry-like piece that ripples and gives the illusion of movement. One might see the work as a night sky for a fiery orange harvest moon against the silvery backdrop. On the left side, there is a tree-like shape anchored by a patch of color, which could be interpreted as earth. The ripples evoke a feeling of a breeze or life pulsing through. In many cultures, storytelling serves a means of entertainment, education, and cultural preservation. One of the most popular times for storytelling 24 EL ANATSUI EDUCATOR’S GUIDE
is after the sun has set and the day’s work has been finished. Among the Limba, an ethnic group from Sierra Leone, a full moon is seen as the optimum opportunity for storytelling, because people go to bed later during this time. By creating a moon, El Anatsui might provide viewers with a new kind of social space within which viewers may be inspired to share stories with one another. Looking and Interpreting • On first glance, what do you think this piece is made of? Look at this work more closely. What materials do you see? • How is this work constructed? How long do you think it might have taken to put this together? Note: Anatsui has employed a delegation of labor throughout his career; he currently has more than twenty assistants who help make his metal wall sculptures. Connecting and Doing • Upon seeing Anatsui’s hangings, many people associate them with kente cloth. Kente cloth is special fabric that was developed in Ghana. Kings, queens, and other important people wore special designs during ceremonies and other state occasions. The kente patterns contain many cultural concepts from history, literature, and political thought, codes of conduct, moral values, and philosophy. Research kente cloth and create a piece using a pattern that conveys a message. • Think about story time in your school or family. Where and when are these stories told? Are there particular times, places, seasons, or events where storytelling has been a part of your social interactions, i.e. summer camp? What kinds of stories have you told or heard? • El Anatsui’s father and brothers practiced weaving in their spare time. Several of his brothers composed lyrics for music related to traditional drumming. What skills have you seen your family members do, i.e. cook, sew, etc.? Are there skills or traditions that you have learned from your family members? Are there skills that you hope to learn from your family members? EXPLORING CULTURES, STORIES, AND MEMORY 25
Page 1: El Anatsui When I Last Wrote to You
Page 4 and 5: El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to Yo
Page 6 and 7: ABOUT THIS GUIDE THIS EL ANATSUI ED
Page 8 and 9: ABOUT THE ARTIST EL ANATSUI WAS BOR
Page 10 and 11: of logs into a rectangular pile. Th
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Page 14 and 15: When I last wrote to you . . . II 1
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Page 42 and 43: LESSON PLANS LESSON 1 Research Acti
Page 44 and 45: WORKSHEET Exploring El Anatsui’s
Page 46 and 47: LESSON 2: Creating a Found-object W
Page 48 and 49: DATE El ANATSUI’S LIFE WORLD EVEN
Page 50 and 51: ANNOTATED WEBOGRAPHY El Anatsui Ins
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El Anatsui

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