Aim: To create a mosaic inspired by the decorations on a Persian synagogue wall.
Materials: Ceramic tiles or bits of construction paper, cardboard and glueProcedure:
1. Have students view and discuss the work of art below. Discuss with students:
- What is this object? How does it protect the Torah and emphasize its majesty?
- Discuss the mosaic art form. Have students seen mosaics before? Where?
- What kinds of patterns do they see in this mosaic from Isfahan, Persia?
2. Have your students create mosaics inspired by the Islamic designs on this mosaic. Students can use ceramic tiles (purchased from an art-supply store) or paper “tiles” made from cut-up construction paper and glue them onto a cardboard backing.
3. Encourage students to think about images that are meaningful to them and plan their compositions carefully before gluing anything down.
- Faience tile mosaic
- 104 1/2 x 181 x 4 1/2 in. (265.4 x 459.7 x 11.4 cm)
- The Jewish Museum, New York
- Gift of Adele and Harry G. Friedman, Lucy and Henry Moses, Miriam Schaar Schloesinger, Florence Sutro Anspacher, Lucille and Samuel Lemberg, John S. and Florence Lawrence, Louis A. Oresman, and Khalil Rabenou, F 5000
Portion of a Synagogue Wall
Portion of a Synagogue Wall
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