Native American Architecture
Native American Dance: Ceremonies and Social Traditions
Native American Master Artists Video Series
Native American Portraits 1862-1918: Photographs From the Collection of Kurt Koegler
Native Americans on Film and Video. Vol. II
The Native Arts Community
The Native Creative Process: A Collaborative Discourse
Native Dance
The Natural Way to Draw
Nature
The Nature of Dance as a Creative Art Activity
The Nature of Things Series
New Canadian Kid/Invisible Kids
New Methods and Materials: 20th Century American Scupture
New Techniques and Approaches for Wood Carving
Ninstints: Haida World Heritage Site
No Handicap to Dance
Norman Rockwell: An American Portrait
North American Aboriginal Art
North Italian Painters: Color and Chiaroscuro
North: Landscape of the Imagination
Notman's World
The Nutcracker
(Print-Non-Fiction). Nabokov, Peter. Oxford University Press (OUP), 1989. 431 p. ISBN 0-19-503781-2 ($94.50 hdc.). ISBN 0-19-506665-0 ($39.95 pbk.).
(I/M) This study of material, style, and cultural or religious significance in Aboriginal architecture encompasses nine major geographic areas of North America, from the Rio Grande River to the Artic tundra. It offers black-and-white photos and sketches. Authoritative text describe buildings such as wigwams, longhouses, mounds, tipis, pit houses, and plank houses. Included are maps, a chart of language groups, a 16-page colour insert, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index. There is minimal Canadian content.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
Native American Dance: Ceremonies and Social Traditions
(Print-Non-Fiction). Heth, Charlotte, ed. National Museum of the (BB), 1992. unp. Order no. BB 6778 ($30.40 pbk.).
(I/M) This collection of essays explores the scope of the Native American dance--from the Fancy dancers of the powwow circuit and the traditional keepers of sacred Aboriginal ceremonies to the contemporary works of Aboriginal choreographers. This oversized book offers nearly 200 outstanding, full-colour photographs. It includes a table of contents, an index, and a bibliography of print and audiovisual resources.
Suggested Use: Dance
Native American Master Artists Video Series
(Video). Please refer to the title: The Strength of Life: The Art of Knokovtee Scott, Creek Shellworker.
Native American Portraits 1862-1918: Photographs From the Collection of Kurt Koegler
(Print-Non-Fiction). Hathaway, Nancy. Chronicle Books (RAI), 1990. 115 p. ISBN 0-87701-757-3 ($24.50 pbk.).
(CAN, I/M) This book contains selections from Kurt Koegler's collection of photographs of Aboriginal peoples taken between 1862-1918. The focus of the book is on the photographers, rather than the subjects of the photographs. The introduction outlines briefly how the intended documentary nature of the portraits was influenced by stereotyped images of Aboriginal people. Teachers should be advised to use this book with caution as there is a risk of perpetuating stereotypes of First Nations peoples. However, it raises some interesting points about photography that could be examined within the context of critical evaluation. Included are an index of photographers and a bibliography. A similar resource that deals with First Nations peoples of Western Canada is Face Pullers by Silversides.
Suggested Use: Visual Art - Teacher Reference
Native Americans on Film and Video. Vol. II
(Print-Non-Fiction). Weatherford, Elizabeth and Seubert, Emelia. National Museum of the (NMA), 1988. 112 p. ISBN 0-9934490-44-9 ($7.50 U.S. pbk.).
(I/M) Film and video annotated listings in this book are organized alphabetically for ready accessibility. Information is intended as an aid to selection of films and videos by and about Aboriginal peoples in North and South America. Included in citations are year of distribution, length, and major production personnel. Teachers are advised to carry out standard previewing procedures prior to showing any of the listed films. Included are a subject index, an index of videos organized according to their respective regions and Aboriginal peoples, and an index of distributors.
Suggested Use: Media Studies
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9
(Video). (Aboriginal Voices Series). Magic Lantern Communications (MAG), 1991. 30 min. Order no. 137-31-134 ($39.00).
(CAN, I/M) This video shows how the Canadian arts community is including more Aboriginal art, music, and theatre. Interviews with actors Gary Farmer and Grahame Greene, artist Maxine Noel, and John Kim Bell--conductor, composer, and founder of the Native Arts Foundation are included.
Suggested Use: General
The Native Creative Process: A Collaborative Discourse
(Print-Non-Fiction). Cardinal, Douglas J. and Armstrong, Jeannette. Theytus Books Ltd. (THY), 1991. unp. ISBN 0-919441-08-4 ($24.95 pbk.). ISBN 0-919441-09-2 ($100.00 hdc.).
(CAN, I/M) This book captures in words and pictures some of the life principles of Aboriginal peoples that Cardinal and Armstrong apply to their own lives and the creative process in their work. This book contains concepts applicable for life skills, conservation, harmony, equality, respect for self and the creative process, and unity. Examples of Cardinal's architecture are included in the series of pictures. There are pictures of natural phenomena, Aboriginal peoples, artists and their work, and landscapes. This book reinforces the role and contributions that Aboriginal peoples have to play in the existence of the human family. It also reinforces the role of women in the balance of human existence. Included is a table of contents.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
(Video). (Sunday Arts Entertainment Series). CBC Educational Sales (CBC), 1991. 18 min. Order no. X4P-91-01 ($99.00).
(CAN, I/M) Veronica Tennant visits with staff and performers from the American Aboriginal Dance Theatre, who have been playing to sold-out audiences around the world. The establishment and goals of the Theater are discussed with one of the Directors. Two performers relate the importance of dance in their lives and their role in the revival of the beautiful art form. Through the interviews and scenes from the company's performances, the significance of dance as a part of Aboriginal spiritual practices and cultures is also presented.
Suggested Use: Dance
(Print-Non-Fiction). Nicolaides, Kimon. Houghton Mifflin Canada (ALL), 1961. 221 p. ISBN 0-395-20548-4 ($13.95 pbk.).
This definitive drawing manual uses black-and-white sketches to illustrate techniques such as contour and gesture drawing, memory drawing, the figure with drapery, muscles, and studies of body structure. Stress in this book is placed on careful observation and on allowing the finished drawing to become a subjective study rather than a detailed likeness. This is a thorough, scholarly treatment of the topic. Included is a table of contents.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9
(Video). (Clip Art Series). Marlin Motion Pictures (MGR), 1993. 29 min. Dup. order no. V8871.
(I/M) Artists have always found inspiration in nature, and many contemporary artists are attempting to open our eyes to our planet's condition. Among the clips are Hieronymous Bosch's paintings, animator Yves Ramboz's film The Conjurer, Christo's works including Running Fence and Valley Curtain, works by Japanese and Inuit artists and music by South American Jazz musician Hermeto Pascoal.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
The Nature of Dance as a Creative Art Activity
(Print-Non-Fiction). Mettler, Barbara. Tucson Creative Dance Center (TCDC), 1980. 54 p. ISBN 0-912536-11-X ($12.50 U.S. hdc.).
The short, thought-provoking reflections found in this resource represent Mettler's personal statements on dance. Covering all aspects of dance philosophy, the book is a suitable springboard for individual or group discussion, debate, or research. It offers one colour photograph of Mettler's dance studio. A table of contents is included.
Suggested Use: Dance
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9
(Video). Please refer to the title: Conducting.
New Canadian Kid/Invisible Kids
(Print-Non-Fiction). Foon, Dennis. Arsenal Pulp Press Limited (GNP), 1989. 107 p. ISBN 0-88978-215-6 ($9.95 pbk.).
(CAN) These two plays explore the pressures and prejudices faced by minority races in Canada. In New Canadian Kid, a young immigrant comes to terms with the ignorance and rejection of classmates and begins to appreciate his knowledge of two languages. Invisible Kids centres on the issues of immigration quotas and institutionalized racism.
Suggested Use: Drama
New Methods and Materials: 20th Century American Scupture
(Video). (Art History III: Mastery in Three Media Series). Agency for Instructional Technology (MHP/BB), 1993. 15 min. Dup. order no. V8766. Teacher's Guide for series - Order no. BB 984 ($8.15 pbk.).
Pioneering invention characterized the efforts of these artists. It explores pieces by Louise Nevelson, Christo, Richard Hunt, Will Edmondson, David Smith, Alexander Calder, and John Chamberlain.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grades 6 to 8
New Techniques and Approaches for Wood Carving
(Print-Non-Fiction). Semenick, D. V. Gordon Soules Book Publishers Ltd. (SOU), 1986. unp. ISBN 0-9692582-0-8 ($14.95 pbk.).
Dan Semenick, a professional wood carver, has written this most informative book on the subject of wood carving to summarize the answers to the many questions that have been asked during his wood carving demonstrations. The relatively new method of honing wood carving chisels using a special rubber wheel is fast becoming the standard for sharpening by many wood carvers. This procedure for chisel sharpening has been used by the author for many years and the concept of this system is described in detail in this book. An entire chapter is devoted to making the most important carver's tool, which is the carver's knife. The chapter dealing with the carving subject in this book is arranged with step-by-step instructions and shows, with the aid of numerous black-and-white photographs, each step both at the "in progress" and at the "step completed" stage. Included is a table of contents.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
Ninstints: Haida World Heritage Site
(Print-Non-Fiction). MacDonald, George F. University of British Columbia Press (UBCP), 1983. 60 p. ISBN 0-7748-0163-8 ($11.95 pbk.).
(CAN, I/M) This is a detailed research resource focusing on the Haida's distinctive village life, homes, crests, and totem poles. Included is a description of early contact with Europeans and present-day efforts to protect the Ninstints heritage site. Although the text of this book contains stereotypical terminology, its excellent photography makes the resource a valuable purchase. It offers black-and-white photographs. Included is a table of contents.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9
(Print-Non-Fiction). Levete, Gina. (Human Horizons Series). Vanwell Publishing Limited (VAN), 1982. 140 p. ISBN 0-285-64961-2 ($17.50 pbk.).
This manual suggests dance activities for people with physical and mental disabilities. Though most activities are targeted at the elementary level, ideas presented can be modified to suit all levels. Teachers will also need to adapt the suggestions to fit within their unit plans. The text contains British terminology. It offers a black-and-white photo insert. Included is a table of contents.
Suggested Use: Dance
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9
Norman Rockwell: An American Portrait
(Video). V.I.E.W. Video Inc. (VWV), 1993. 60 min. Order no. 1004 ($49.98 U.S.).
This PBS special is a salute to Norman Rockwell featuring commentary from friends, art historians, and Rockwell himself. It shows numerous samples of his paintings and discusses his long and successful career. It also documents historical events and societal changes in the United States from 1916 to 1978.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
(Print-Non-Fiction). Furst, Peter T. and Furst, Jill L. Rizzoli International Publications (CDS), 1982. 236 p. ISBN 0-8478-0572-7 ($49.95 hdc.).
(I/M) An exploration of Aboriginal art work throughout North America, this lavishly illustrated collection contains over 200 colour plates and authoritative text validating the aesthetic quality of Aboriginal art work. The book illustrates functional, ritual, and decorative art work of various First Nations peoples from the Hopi people in southwest United States to the Inuit of northern Canada. Colour plates include examples of weaving, rock painting, totem poles, sculptured ornaments, masks, bead and quill work, painted hides, and pipes. This is a comprehensive collection organized geographically. Included are a table of contents and a bibliography.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9
North Italian Painters: Color and Chiaroscuro
(Video). (Art History III: Mastery in Three Media Series). Agency for Instructional Technology (MHP/BB), 1993. 15 min. Dup. order no. V8764.
Teacher's Guide for series - Order no. BB 984 ($8.15 pbk.).
Vivid colour and dramatic lighting distinguish these 16th century paintings of religious themes and the Venetian cityscape. The program introduces Titian, Veronese, Caravaggio, Tiepolo, and Canaletto.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
North: Landscape of the Imagination
(Video). National Library of Canada (NLC), 1993. 16 min. No order number is required. ($19.95).
(CAN) The National Library of Canada has produced a 16-minute closed-captioned program that complements its latest exhibition, North: Landscape of the Imagination. This slide-tape on video shows images from the published material in the exhibition, and together with words and music, gives a sense of the North and of the exhibition.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
(Video/16mm). National Film Board of Canada (NFB/MHP), 1991. 29 min. NFB - Order no. 1-0189-117 ($26.95). MHP - Loan order no. MP 20849.
(CAN) William Notman was a man of rare talent. Photography was still in its infancy when he opened his first studio in Montreal in the late 1850's. He rapidly turned his art, and a budding technology, into a highly successful business. Within five years he was appointed Photographer to the Queen. Not content with doing mere portraiture, he saw photography as a means of documenting history. With the use of props in his studio, composite photographs, and calling on his background as a trained artist, Notman immortalized the people and places of Canada. However, this film goes beyond the re-creation of the past to question how photographs shape our sense of history.
Suggested Use: Visual Art
(Video). Kultar Video (JFL), 1978. 100 min. Order no. 0062 ($30.00).
The Bolshoi Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's classical ballet, filmed live from the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
Suggested Use: Dance
Other Use: Arts Education: Grade 9; Arts Education: Elementary Level; Arts Education: Grades 6 to 8