Evan Rodgers

The replication of the parrot depicted in the Pergamon Hellenistic Mosaic was created by me, Evan Rodgers. This recreation was made with the intention of honoring the mosaics from the ancient world and to gain a better appreciation for the process of creating a mosaic. I used construction paper, as there was an abundance on hand, and it was a medium that I was familiar with. The purpose of my work was to recreate a mosaic from ancient times in order to better understand the process of creating these specific types of art. The main idea expressed in my work is the heavy emphasis of the ancient world’s traditions being recreated in modern times with simple materials. The colors of the parrot in the reproduction are accurate to the real-world markings of actual parrots; however, they also have a specific effect on the viewer, with, for example, yellow representing happiness. The remaking of the mosaic was evidently strongly influenced by the original Pergamon Hellenistic Mosaic.

The audio clip that I chose, “The Bard of Armagh,” from the album Celtic Mist, incorporates specific sounds of nature, including the chirping of birds, and the rushing water of a majestic waterfall. These elements, along with the calming arrangement of the musical notes in the piece, evoke a sense of well-being and tranquility in the listener, not unlike what one might experience on a warm spring afternoon. When paired with the color selection that I previously described in the mosaic, this dual sensory experience of sight and sound leaves a lasting impression of serenity for the viewer and listener.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kheFe3afy4LS_JhLrc4mtt_82VZRoYhA/view?usp=drivesdk

Discussion Questions

1. How did the Ancient Greeks develop the idea of mosaic building?

2. Why did Ancient Greeks choose the subjects depicted in mosaics?

3. How long did it take to create a mosaic?