China: Export Porcelain: Prompts for Extended Thinking
Use these prompts after your Evans Distance Learning session or museum visit to activate creative, critical, and reflective thinking.
Creative Thinking
Using our imaginations when looking at art can activate prior knowledge and spark curiosity. Ask students to recall their Evans Distance Learning visit and try the following:
With a partner or in groups, consider this pitcher. Use the following starters to think of some imaginative and interesting questions about this artwork. Try to formulate a list of at least 6 interesting questions.
- How would it be different if….?
- for example, How would it be different if we were looking at it in a domestic interior?
- What if we knew…?
- for example, What if we knew and could talk to the person who made it?
- What are the reasons…?
- for example, What are the reasons it is this particular shape?
Share and exchange your questions with other groups in the class. What is the class most curious about? What is missing from your knowledge base? Can you use your list of questions to establish some search terms to help you find out more?
Critical Thinking
Looking closely at art helps us think historically and connect to cultures from the past.
During your Evans Distance Learning session, students looked carefully at examples of Chinese Export Porcelain to think about the cultural exchange between Europe and China in the 18th century.
As students to consider other examples of material culture from Colonial and Early America that may evidence similar cultural exchange. Use the Looking to Learn: I See / I Think / I Wonder strategy to frame student inquiry.
After using the strategy, ask students to compare their ideas with the information provided on the object pages.
Masonic Punch Bowl
Drop-Front Secretary
Covered Jug or Tankard
Pitcher
Reflective Thinking
Thinking about our experience with art helps us connect to people and ideas across time and place. Use these prompts to help students reflect on their engagement with Chinese Export Porcelain.
- Having spent time with Chinese export porcelain at VMFA, what more do you know about the artists who made these objects? How do you imagine their lives were similar to or different from your own?
- What did the art NOT answer for you? What are you curious about now that you have seen a few examples of Chinese export porcelain? Name three things that you wish you knew more about and why. Visit your school library and databases to find answers to your questions.
- Compare the art in your life (home, school, place of worship) to the objects you saw at the museum. Consider materials used, presentation, audience, intended use, value, etc.
- Imagine you were to time travel and visit a ceramics factory in Jingdezhen, China during the Qing dynasty. Based on what you have seen in your Evans DLP session, what would you expect it to be like? What might it sound, smell, look, and feel like? What about YOU would surprise the artisans who worked there?