Basic 7 · Creative Arts and Design · Media and Techniques
Pattern Making and Modelling Techniques, and Ghanaian Dance Movements
In this topic you will use techniques for making patterns and modelling 3D forms, and identify and perform Ghanaian dance movements, body positions and voice projection patterns.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Describe and use techniques for pattern making and modelling
- Identify Ghanaian dance movements and body positions and their meanings
- Demonstrate good voice projection when performing
What you already know
- Tools and materials for pattern making and modelling
- Traditional dances of Ghana (Upper Primary)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Visual Arts
- Sub-strand
- Media and Techniques
- Indicator
- B7.2.1.1.1 – Identify and determine the nature and uses of tools materials and techniques needed for still-life drawing and shading pattern making and modelling
Introduction
Knowing your tools is the first step. The next step is learning the techniques that skilled printers, potters and sculptors use to turn materials into beautiful work.
1. Pattern-Making Techniques
| Technique | How it is done | Ghanaian example |
|---|---|---|
| stamping (printing) | a carved motif is dipped in dye and pressed on a surface | adinkra cloth from Ntonso |
| stencilling | colour is dabbed through holes cut in card | wall decorations and signboards |
| tie-and-dye | cloth is tied, folded or stitched and dipped in dye | tie-and-dye shirts and wrappers |
| batik | hot wax is applied to cloth before dyeing to resist colour | batik cloth |
| weaving | threads or strips cross over and under each other | kente, Bolgatanga baskets |
| rubbing | paper is laid on a textured surface and rubbed with crayon | leaf and bark rubbings |
Patterns can be arranged in different ways. In a block repeat, the motif sits in straight rows and columns. In a half-drop repeat, every other column is moved down by half a motif. In a border pattern, motifs run along the edge only. In an all-over pattern, motifs cover the whole surface.
2. Modelling Techniques
| Technique | How it is done | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| pinching | pressing the thumb into a ball of clay and pinching the walls | small bowls and cups |
| coiling | rolling long ropes of clay and building them up in rings | pots and vases |
| slab | rolling clay flat, cutting pieces and joining them | boxes and tiles |
| modelling (additive) | adding small pieces of clay to build a figure | animals and figures |
3. Joining Clay Properly
Clay pieces must be joined carefully or they will crack and fall apart when they dry. Score (scratch) both surfaces with a modelling tool, apply slip (clay mixed with water to a creamy liquid), press the pieces together and smooth the join. When the work is finished, let it dry slowly in the shade before firing.
Common mistake: Joining dry clay to wet clay causes cracks. Keep all parts at the same dampness.
4. Finishing and Firing
Dry clay work is fragile and dissolves in water. To make it hard and lasting, potters fire it. In many Ghanaian pottery villages, such as Vume in the Volta Region and Mpraeso in the Eastern Region, pots are fired in an open bonfire of firewood and dry grass. Before firing, the surface may be burnished with a smooth stone to make it shiny, or decorated with incised (cut) lines and impressed patterns.
New words
- half-drop repeat
- A pattern where every other column is moved down by half a motif.
- coiling
- Building a pot from rolled ropes of clay.
- slip
- Clay mixed with water to a creamy liquid, used as glue.
- scoring
- Scratching clay surfaces before joining them.
Summary
- Patterns are made by stamping, stencilling, tie-and-dye, batik, weaving and rubbing.
- Clay is modelled by pinching, coiling, slab building and adding pieces.
- Score, slip and smooth to join clay parts firmly.
Class activity: Pinch Pot and Pattern
- Make a small pinch pot from a ball of clay.
- Decorate its surface with a repeated pattern pressed in with a stick or bottle top.
- Leave it to dry slowly and describe the techniques you used.
You need: Cardboard, Wooden ruler, Starch paste
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Adinkra cloth is decorated mainly by…
- A. stamping
- B. weaving
- C. batik
- D. coiling
Show answer
Answer: stampingCalabash stamps are dipped in dye.2. Which technique uses hot wax to resist dye?
- A. Batik
- B. Tie-and-dye
- C. Stencilling
- D. Rubbing
Show answer
Answer: BatikWax blocks the dye.3. Coiling is a good way to build a large pot.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCoils are stacked in rings.4. Clay mixed with water to a creamy liquid used as glue is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: slipIt joins clay.5. Explain the difference between a block repeat and a half-drop repeat.
Show answer
Answer: A block repeat has motifs in straight rows and columns; a half-drop moves every other column down by half a motif.Arrangement of motifs.6. Describe the steps for joining two pieces of clay so they do not crack.
Show answer
Answer: Score both surfaces, apply slip, press together and smooth the join; keep both pieces equally damp.Score, slip, smooth.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Performing Arts
- Sub-strand
- Media and Techniques
- Indicator
- B7.2.1.3.8 – Identify and demonstrate the various Ghanaian dance/body movements positions and voice projection patterns
Introduction
In Ghana, the body speaks. A dancer's hands, feet, head and face can tell a story, show respect, express sorrow or celebrate victory without a single word.
1. The Body as a Means of Expression
In Ghanaian culture, the body plays an important social role. Dance is used at festivals, funerals, naming ceremonies, durbars and in worship. Each movement has a meaning that the community understands. Before dancing, performers warm up their bodies with stretching and rhythmic games so they do not get injured.
2. Movements and Positions with Meaning
| Movement or position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pointing to the sky with the index finger | "I look up to God" |
| pointing to the ground | "I will return to the earth (death)" |
| both hands crossed at the wrists in front | "I am bound or helpless" |
| holding the head with both hands | grief and mourning |
| right hand placed on the chest | "it is me" or "I am sincere" |
| arms raised and swinging forward | joy and welcome |
Other dances use their own positions. In Agbadza of the Ewe, dancers bend forward and move the upper back and arms like a bird flapping its wings. In Bamaya of the Dagomba, male dancers wear skirts and turn their waists rhythmically. In Kpanlogo of the Ga, dancers make lively hip and shoulder movements.
3. Voice Projection
Voice projection: Using the voice strongly and clearly so that a large audience can hear without shouting.
Performers in drama and in call-and-response songs must project their voices. Good projection comes from breathing deeply from the diaphragm (below the ribs), standing upright, opening the mouth well and pronouncing words clearly. Copying the sounds of animals, such as the cock's crow or the goat's bleat, is a fun way to exercise the voice.
Steps for good voice projection
- Stand tall with feet apart and shoulders relaxed.
- Breathe in deeply through the nose so your stomach area expands.
- Speak or sing on the out-breath, aiming your voice at the back wall.
- Open your mouth and shape every word clearly.
- Do not strain the throat or scream.
New words
- gesture
- A movement of the body that shows a meaning.
- posture
- The way the body is held.
- diaphragm
- The muscle below the lungs used in breathing.
- warm-up
- Exercises that prepare the body for performance.
Summary
- Ghanaian dance movements and positions carry meanings understood by the community.
- Adowa gestures can show faith, grief, sincerity or joy.
- Good voice projection comes from deep breathing, good posture and clear speech.
Class activity: Gesture Story
- Choose four Adowa gestures and agree on their meanings.
- Arrange them to tell a short story, such as mourning a chief.
- Perform the story to the drum while one member narrates with good voice projection.
You need: Atumpan drum, Calabash rattle, Printed photographs of Ghanaian dance poses
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. In Adowa, pointing to the sky means…
- A. "I look up to God"
- B. "I am tired"
- C. "go away"
- D. "I am hungry"
Show answer
Answer: "I look up to God"Faith in God.2. Good voice projection depends mainly on…
- A. deep breathing from the diaphragm
- B. shouting loudly
- C. speaking fast
- D. whispering
Show answer
Answer: deep breathing from the diaphragmBreath supports the voice.3. Holding the head with both hands in a dance shows grief.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueIt is a sign of mourning.4. A movement of the body that shows a meaning is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: gestureBody language.5. Name two Ghanaian dances and describe one movement in each.
Show answer
Answer: Agbadza: bending and flapping the arms; Kpanlogo: lively hip and shoulder movements.Any two.6. Why should performers warm up before dancing?
Show answer
Answer: To prepare the muscles and joints, prevent injury and help them move freely.Safety and readiness.
Homework
- Make a small stamped or rubbed pattern using a half-drop repeat.
- Ask an elder the meaning of two dance gestures from your area and write them down.