Tour of Giant, Brightly Colored Creatures Celebrates Artistic Heritage of Oaxaca
Discover how giant, colorful sculptures from Oaxaca showcase Mexico’s rich artistic heritage and cultural traditions in this lesson.
Note: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
They’re called fantastic animals, brightly colored wooden creatures inspired by the world of Mexican magical realism. Giant versions of these animals are on a tour across the U.S., celebrating Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and promoting diplomacy during a contentious time.
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- Where do these creatures originate from?
- How high are the statues, and how much do they weigh on average?
- Who is Efrain Fuentes and what does he do?
- What do indigenous artists like Fuentes rely on for their income?
- Why is art used as a diplomacy instrument, according to Greco?
Focus Questions
- How does this art connect to politics and diplomacy, according to the video?
- What is your major takeaway from the video? Did it change how you view art?
- Media Literacy: If you could travel to Mexico and view these art pieces, what questions would you ask of the artists?
Extension Activity
Go to this website and read more about Oaxacan wood carvings, then discuss with a partner.
- Who first created Oaxacan wood carvings?
- What year were Oaxacan wood carvings created?
- Which creature was your favorite?
- Can you make any connections between the creatures and politics purely based off of looks?
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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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