Creative Studies Experiences: Fourth Week Assignment (Assignment 1)

Look At People And Times To Learn What Traits, What Environment Condition Existed And What Is The Process That Make Them Creative.

1. The Mesopotamia

The Mesopotamia was the earliest civilization on earth. As their life were depended on the agriculture, tools were created from stone based on needs until they've found the use of metal. Since then, more and more inventions were found. With metal, they've created technologies such as wheels, water storage and flood control system, but all of these have the same purpose of making agriculture better. As they've lived in a big city, language began to develop. The idea of communication began to form. Cuneiform script was invented were they wrote on a piece of stone or clay leading them into creativity in literacy. With communication and technologies skills they've embedded into science and astronomy field which lead them to create the calender. Lastly as most of the civilization, they've slowly formed social status and knowledge in medical not mention that their religion also triggered them in creative sculpturing.

Agriculture Tools

Scuptures

Cuneiform Script

Pictures' link.

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=yPvR2XRIwR-tdM:&imgrefurl=http://pfctyranny.com/category/monotheism/&docid=6_NBlevKmK_YAM&imgurl=http://jeremylent.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/writing-tablet-from-uruk-mesopotamia-c-3000-bce.png&w=388&h=302&ei=udu5UPDzCMXnrAfLpoGADw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=692&sig=114313043885465058336&page=2&tbnh=142&tbnw=203&start=27&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:47,s:0,i:228&tx=124&ty=117

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=3g4EQ86xVx5C4M:&imgrefurl=http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/images/I028/10289158.aspx&docid=C_ZEO8FkvDkzkM&imgurl=http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/images/object_images/535x535/10289158.jpg&w=535&h=341&ei=udu5UPDzCMXnrAfLpoGADw&zoom=1

http://edu.glogster.com/media/4/24/74/40/24744094.jpg

Reference

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/nov/10/ancient-world-mesopotamia

http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/ancient/mesopotamia.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Mesopotamia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia

http://socsci.gulfcoast.edu/rbaldwin/mesopotamia.htm

http://www.citiesforpeople.net/cities-of-iraq-uruk-ur-and-eridu

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2. The Ancient Egypt

The religion of the ancient Egypt is what has triggered most of their creativity. As they believed the Farrow (the king of ancient Egypt) is the son of the god, the clothing and belonging of the king were specially made to symbolize his status. Golden wearing or face of god could be seen commonly in the king's dressing. The idea of immortality after death has also created the idea of mummifying death bodies which then developed into the medical field as they've learnt to bandage wounds with herbs. Many sculptures and artifacts were created for certain ritual usage. As the ancient Egyptian's resources were strictly limited, they relied on trading such as trading with the foreign neighbors. This allowed them to communicate with other and apply their creativity into own use. One of the example is the Pyramid which was originated from the Mesopotamian's Ziggurats. As they also deal with agriculture problems such as flood, science, mathematics and astronomy knowledge were used to overcome their problems. They've created water system and also calender to encounter the flood. The idea of recording agriculture activities, such as payment and tax has also put their writing (Hieroglyphic) into great use, of course which also lead to the development in literacy. As Hieroglyphic was originated from sound, symbols and animal (figures) there is strong sense of creative art in it.

Pyramid

Illustration of activities recording

Hieroglyphic

Artifact

Pictures' link.

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=5Jd57kowwoAUyM:&imgrefurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/&docid=Iz51yGi6ML0P8M&imgurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/images/index_egyptians_large3.jpg&w=300&h=193&ei=T_a5UJvkNIHtrQfz9YCwDw&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=jRbp66GOawmveM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fantasticegypt.com/ancientegypt.htm&docid=NPgIp1wDtaTU-M&imgurl=http://www.fantasticegypt.com/images/ancinet001.jpg&w=890&h=704&ei=T_a5UJvkNIHtrQfz9YCwDw&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=eW5WNEieV_0xOM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt&docid=g4KLf611DCKoqM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Egypt.Giza.Sphinx.01.jpg/280px-Egypt.Giza.Sphinx.01.jpg&w=280&h=210&ei=T_a5UJvkNIHtrQfz9YCwDw&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=O4Kt8a9GTOJ01M:&imgrefurl=http://www.crystalinks.com/egypt.html&docid=ZFEDSuxZj2EFIM&imgurl=http://www.crystalinks.com/EgyptEducation.jpg&w=430&h=283&ei=T_a5UJvkNIHtrQfz9YCwDw&zoom=1

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_creation_myths

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh

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3. The Ancient India

The ancient India civilization need to be tracked back to the Indus Valley civilization. It was the most well-organized civilization. Buildings were built in blocks by stones and bricks arranged in sequence for easy management. Because of the well-organized structure their creativity in water systems were sophisticating back in the ancient world. Water run-ways or storage systems were created widely to supply water. Trading activities and their ability to accept other knowledge have turned them into a civilization that far more advanced than the other. Many artifacts were found with drawing of human figure sitting in lotus posture or animals that related to their religious (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism). As they worked in the agriculture, they also believed in the Mother Goddess which symbolized fertility. By collecting knowledge as much as possible, they've created great accuracy in measurement ( mass, length and time) also introduced the number system (zero), place value system and decimal system which then lead to the world first university in Takshila. Sadly their art in writing is unrecognizable as their civilization was wide out suddenly leaving no references.

Building in blogs

Well-organized City

Pictures' link.

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=7s2LSdOittAB9M:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization&docid=pfQs8T1CEDqlfM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Mohenjodaro_Sindh.jpeg/310px-Mohenjodaro_Sindh.jpeg&w=310&h=197&ei=xB27UJL_Fsn9rAe-9YD4BA&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=LrKJwFKYHEDoqM:&imgrefurl=http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/gallery/photos/3.html&docid=FFAQImvQ_tmQeM&imgurl=http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/swf/sind-101-climate_change-stack.jpg&w=512&h=288&ei=xB27UJL_Fsn9rAe-9YD4BA&zoom=1

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_India#Vedic_period

http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/hinduism/home_set.html

http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/time/home_set.html

http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/writing/home_set.html

http://www.spiritualjourneys.net/about_ancient_india.htm

http://www.timemaps.com/civilization-ancient-india2

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/286837/Indus-civilization

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4. The Chinese

The creativity of the Chinese civilization is hard to be categorized as their creativity touched very wide field. Just like the other civilization, they've introduced agriculture tools made from metals and water systems. As for the transportation (original to carry agriculture products), they've created carriage installed with wheels and the skill of tying it on the horses' neck. This transportation was widely used in daily life as well as in war. The Chinese highly believed in harmony with surrounding, also the idea of equality (Yin and Yang). These lead to the development in studying plants and herbs which then brought into the medical field (Chinese medicine using herbs) and the study of FengShui. Their fortune telling by burning Oracle Bones was also amazing as it was the origin of the Chinese writing characters. Knowledge was highly appreciated in this civilization as they believed only knowledge would secure their country's development. Government examinations were held several times each of the years and the scholars would be given the opportunity to serve their country. A lot of philosophy and literacy materials were created, such as the philosophy of Confucious and Art of War by Sun Tzu. Military defenses is also the trigger of creativity in this civilization. The Great Wall of China was built to inform invasion, gun powder was created for greater damage and great tactics in war were used to trick the enemies.

Horse Carriage

Oracle Bone

Sun Tzu Art of War

Yin Yang

Pictures' link.

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=5GX31umW2OcjwM:&imgrefurl=http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en/45K5888K11739.html&docid=d18lQfMMH0O_UM&imgurl=http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/upload/upfiles/2009-08/13/culturalchinaa11bc4a69b7cf8295c5e.jpg&w=470&h=352&ei=PWfAUIbWMsHtrQflloGACg&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=FKIas-tj2i4-XM:&imgrefurl=http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kjolly/151/04shangorac.htm&docid=gjhVa9JPvYG5nM&imgurl=http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kjolly/151/images/Shng-ora.jpg&w=607&h=373&ei=yWfAUMvTH8HYrQfu8IHQAw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=4&sig=114313043885465058336&page=1&tbnh=127&tbnw=205&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:97&tx=85&ty=101

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=qXIUcIvsGdYuOM:&imgrefurl=http://english.eastday.com/e/zx/userobject1ai4045856.html&docid=Q_aNd6Pl2Aa0YM&imgurl=http://english.eastday.com/e/zx/images/01461420.jpg&w=350&h=413&ei=aMnCUKXjK478rAf6t4HQCA&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=2sEcDtt_i-SXVM:&imgrefurl=http://abcradiology.blogspot.com/2011/11/ancient-chinese-yin-yang-symbol.html&docid=-Ye1syXJKc1BMM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13NHrgZ2J_xNONcfYyqlaWjjzIVCzXAc2wp0TtNG3_v60xp81QXs_OrSS0rb7zXqW8fkrfNvwZOqygRKNWAZVpNxUygRAD5uSOyFCwC3Jw4VEVzASMyrVmxcAij6I3NqE67SHZs9TWCAQ/s1600/YY.jpg&w=1152&h=864&ei=ecnCUIzzM4ePrgfRtgE&zoom=1

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_China

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yin_yang.svg

http://www.crystalinks.com/chinaartlit.html

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5. Greek And Hellenistic

The Hellenistic period by Alexander the Great which carries the idea to spread the Greek culture has triggered the creativity. Due to the succession of conquering most of the Europe and Asia area (such as Assyria, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia and Pakistan), cross crossing of culture, idea and creation can be seen in this civilization. In religion, the worship of Greek god has been continued but with slide of change by introducing new religion from other countries, such as the Egyptian's god, Serapis. In art, the original concept of Greek was still applied but transformed into new features. The idea of Naturalism originated from logic thinking created human figures sculptors with more realistic expression. While they've shown great interest in heroic themes, dramatic postures and settings were applied in the art. Eroticism was also popular in this civilization as many nude sculptors were created. In philosophy, thinkers from different countries contributed in this era. For example, in Neoplatonism they've included thinkers from Egypt and Syrian. Due to science was highly supported by the royal patrons, they've turned Egypt into the central of science for learning and built libraries and museums as a support. The principles from the early Greek was used in scientific investigation or application of mathematics. Geometric knowledge by Archimedes became textbook in mathematics and the creation of Antikythera (tool to calculate astronomical) mechanism has shined the astronomy field.

Realistic Sculpture

Eroticism Sculpture

Dramatic Posture Sculpture

Antikythera mechanism

Pictures' link.

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=iRH_c2We8TbjyM:&imgrefurl=http://classicartreplicas.com/greek_wrestler_statue.html&docid=pbOokTe9YcNaXM&imgurl=http://classicartreplicas.com/wrestlers.gif&w=515&h=500&ei=7cTBUMPLH8rIrQeavYHgAw&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=H_yYsLmDi5q0VM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism&docid=b6C9AdyWRDJLBM&itg=1&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b8/Computer_graphic_for_front_of_Antikythera_mechanism.jpg/220px-Computer_graphic_for_front_of_Antikythera_mechanism.jpg&w=220&h=222&ei=MMXBUMH6G4iNrgfK0YDIBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=3&sig=114313043885465058336&page=1&tbnh=143&tbnw=150&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:100&tx=73&ty=122

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=2bGTzXx7MtQF0M:&imgrefurl=http://veronica2305.tripod.com/Hellenistic%2520Age.htm&docid=MlTb-dnywL_x4M&imgurl=http://veronica2305.tripod.com/images/MCj03536080000%255B1%255D.gif&w=252&h=364&ei=7cTBUMPLH8rIrQeavYHgAw&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=674&tbm=isch&tbnid=grouEJdzMS4L9M:&imgrefurl=http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/westciv/hellenisticsculpture.html&docid=OwLrlFjD9Fx9CM&imgurl=http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/Mediterranean/Hellenistic.jpg&w=221&h=360&ei=OsfBUNjMC87KrAeOh4BI&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=4&sig=114313043885465058336&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=80&start=0&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:132&tx=17&ty=98

Reference

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/haht/hd_haht.htm

http://members.optusnet.com.au/charles57/Creative/Brain/greek.htm

http://www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/athens_museum_hellenistic.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_philosophy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_Greece

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_period

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6. The Roman

The idea of balance has always been applied in this civilization. In politic, they've introduced the idea of republic which divided the government in the hand of two consuls who act to check and balanced the power. Pillars can be seen in the architectures for the purpose of balancing and supporting. The Roman's architectures are strong (even last until now) due to the knowledge to make good cements and concrete. Arc and dome are their architectures characteristic. To improve in the field of military, trade and communication they've created the most advance road system which last until the 19 century. The Roman bridges were also been built for the same purposes. The Roman was concerned of the water supply and thus they've built aqueduct to supply water for public bath, toilets and so on. Personal training was concerned by the Roman either to prepare for military purpose or to train horsemanship. The Campus Martius was one of the well known center as a exercise field. Games were created to be played by the youngsters, such as board games which popular among citizens of all age. In art, they were more to decoration purpose. Mosaic decoration is among the most sophistication art in this civilization but sometimes sculptures or portraiture of generals may adopt from the Greek's idea of heroic nudity.

Arch and Dome

Aqueduct

Campus Martius

Pictures' link.

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=4NWVEFQ7uByY4M:&imgrefurl=http://www.chart.ac.uk/chart1999/papers/noframes/sharpe-pickering.html&docid=p8TA92IYO2Q_TM&imgurl=http://www.chart.ac.uk/chart1999/papers/pics/sharpe2.jpg&w=519&h=356&ei=K8fCUKnGOpHRrQe434HwBw&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=3Vi-EU6MFuY6IM:&imgrefurl=http://www.atpm.com/12.12/europe/Roman%2520Aqueduct,%2520Segovia,%2520Spain.shtml&docid=BrCwqoN68o7G7M&imgurl=http://www.atpm.com/12.12/europe/images/Roman%252520Aqueduct,%252520Segovia,%252520Spain.jpg&w=1920&h=1440&ei=-MbCUNPdIMrHrQe58YHIDg&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=631&tbm=isch&tbnid=PI7c4YoLVwY8YM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campus_Martius_-_Odeum_of_Domitian.jpg&docid=FzwweZHu8VRG_M&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Campus_Martius_-_Odeum_of_Domitian.jpg&w=721&h=435&ei=5sbCUIqwMcnMrQeesIDQBg&zoom=1

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campus_Martius

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_aqueduct

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Republic

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7. Byzantine

Located between the center of western Europe and Asia with great number of citizens provided the stabilization of nation in the middle ages. The strategic location indeed provided them strong economy foundation as trading could be done easily. Just like trading usually does, their cultures were spread to other nations as well as the others into the Byzantine. Being a rich civilization, they aware of invasion and thus they've improved in architectures and military technology, such as Greek fire. Their knowledge were mostly adopted from the ancient knowledge or they preserved the knowledge. Ancient Greek mathematics was put into practice allowing them to create the Hagia Sophia. As a leading center of science, the Byzantine provided the Islamic the Ancient Greek knowledge on mathematics, philosophy and astronomy to be translated into Arab and from Arab back to Medieval Greek when Islamic became the center of leading science. This provided the civilization with great knowledge to be learnt and used in daily life. During the Renaissance, ports such as Venice was important to connect artists around the world. Creativity was high in this period as artists did not only embedded in art but also architectures, science and medical. Artist like Leonardo da Vinci who involved in wide field provided the world with great knowledge and some was applied in the modern world, such as the idea of helicopter and tank.