The Shang dynasty, also known as Yin, was in power approximately from the years 1765 - 1027 B.C. According to the Chinese, the start of the Shang dynasty began when Tang, a man of great virtue and wisdom, overthrew the decadent emperor Kie. Kie was known to be the last man in the Hsia dynasty. The Shang Dynasty was the second hereditary dynasty in China. It lasted almost six hundred years with thirty-one kings and seventeen generations. The Shang used to be an old tribe that lived in the lower reach of the Yellow River. A very important part about the shang dynasty is their artifacts. The artifacts that go along with the history tell a story, and it is very close to their religions. One of their designs, have been in their dynasty for as long as it could be. The t’ao design, also known as that taotie design, is a historic piece of their spiritual virtues. The taotie characteristically consists of a zoomorphic mask in full face that may be divided, through the nose ridge at the center, into profile views of two one-legged beasts, or dragons, confronting each other. A ground pattern of squared spirals, the “thunder pattern” often serves as a design filler between and around the larger features of the design.
The Shang taotie is a very popular design. Another culture that has very popular designs is the Pueblo Indian. Their pottery has made use of the market for ethnic art to express their artistic, religious and economic values. One remarkable thing about the interactions between these cultures is that each has been able to preserve much of its unique character. On the left it shows a pueblo indian design, and on the right it shows a shang taotie. These are both very similar because a lot of work goes into them; a lot of designing and critiquing. But they are also very different because they are different textures and shapes. My “precious vessel” design is alike or related to the pueblo indians because it is very round and the top of it moves toward the inside. Human nature and image making; both very deep meanings to art. What is it? Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally, and independently of the influence of a culture. Image making is when a person uses the techniques of advertising or public relations to create a favorable view, as of a person or institution. These may influence the way I create my designs in the future by actually thinking, and feeling what I am going to accomplish as an artist. These two techniques will be very helpful to me as I contiue on with my pottery class. The next sculpture I make, I will put more feeling into my designs and use the sources around me to get better knowledge.