IB TOK class: Ways of seeing, ways of knowing

This article picked by a teacher with suggested questions is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here.

Specification:

Teacher themes Visual art, anthropology, environmental science, and anyone looking at what non-Western art can reveal about the natural world

IB DP TOK themes & AOKs Indigenous societies, The arts

Relevant BQ Perspectives

Key terms and ideas  Discover, Conquest vs unsanctioned invasion, Historical framing, Marginalised, Uncertain, Speculation

Investigating Issues Decolonisation

Exhibition prompt IAP-21 (culture)

Click to read the article below and answer the questions:

Ways of seeing, ways of knowing

• “Art . . . can challenge our perspectives and invite us to reflect on our allegiances, belief systems and actions” What do you think Enuma Okoro means?

• Can you think of any examples of art that has challenged your perspectives?

• Choose one of the following works of art from the article: The Prophecy, by Fabrice Monteiro; Still Standing, by Victor Ehikhamenor; The world is not what exists but what happens, by Cassi Namoda. What does each work represent?

• How do they challenge our perspectives?

• What are your personal takeaways from the work of art you are looking at? When you’ve finished, swap your responses with other members of the class

• Overall, do you agree that “we have much to learn from engaging with art that deprioritises western belief and knowledge systems”?

Michael Dunn, theoryofknowledge.net