Writing a Play Script (Short Story) For Theatre

When writing a play script, the script should include the settings, dialogue, and actions that take place
throughout the play. This type of script outlines who says or does what when and how as well as describes the
setting of the stage, like backdrops, lighting, and props. It is specifically for live visual stories (actions) on the stage,
including dramas, comedies, and musicals, traditional dramas, farce, and fantasy
How to Write a Play Script
Before writing the script for the play, get started, it‘s important to understand the proper formatting of a play
and what story elements you need to include. Follow the following steps to write a play script.
1) Get Inspiration: - The first step is to read the plays (scripts), and watch as many plays as possible, and as you
can. During your reading, watching and research, take note and jot down important points of what other playwrights
do well. If you notice dialogue you especially enjoy or useful stage directions, consider emulating them in your own
play script. Reading a play first and then seeing a live performance of that play is a great way to see what a script
can turn into, so try to read and watch the play before you write your own play.
2) Choose a Theme:- Picking a theme for your play can help you write a play that audiences can connect to and
understand and consider or consider on what kind of story you‘re telling to your audience: reader, listener, and
viewer.
3) Genre: - Genre suggests you that the style, tone, and subject matter of your play, whether that is serious, tragedy,
comedy, or funny and insightful.
4) Character growth: - This is how your characters develop over the entire, course of your play.
4) Lessons, key takeaways by the audience: These are morals or lessons that the audience learns by the end of the
play.
5) Create a Plot: - The plot of your play is the events that take place and lead the entire story. You need to decide if
you want your play plot-driven, meaning the story pushes characters from scene to scene, or character-focused,
where characters‘ actions direct the story. You may choose a combination of the two. Either way, many playwrights
create a plot that leads to character growth. When creating your plot, the following key components are very
important.
A) Characters: - Decide who the main character of your play is. Make an effort to develop them into a believable
person. You may also want to add supporting characters that support or challenge them. If you want a traditional
hero story, you need to create a protagonist and an antagonist.
Consider the relationships between all of your characters, especially ones that have a conflict with each other.
Having a conflict creates more tension in your play and keeps the audience interested in the fate of your main
character.
B) Settings: - Where is your play taking place? How does this add to the story? Determine how the setting impacts
each scene or character and contextualizes themes. Limiting the number of different settings keeps your play
grounded and improves its reducibility. Consider how your crew could quickly transform one setting into another.
Creating new settings is more complex for the stage than it is for film and television.
C) Time: - When is your play taking place? You need to figure out a way to convey this to the audience, whether
that is through narration, costume, or dialogue.
D) Story: - The story of your play focuses on the characters‘ reactions and emotions surrounding events of the plot.
E) Narrative arc (structure): Many plays follow a structure of exposition, rising action, and resolution.
F) Exposition: - Early on in your play, you need to establish the who, what, where, when, and why of your plot. If
you have a central conflict in your play, this may be the time to present it.
G) Rising action: - Toward the middle of your play, more obstacles or challenges unfold. The conflict may deepen
until you reach the climax of the play. This is the tensest moment, typically when characters fully address conflicts.
H) Resolution: After the climax happens, the tension of your play lessens. During the resolution, your characters
may overcome their conflicts or learn to live with them. Even if your ending is tragic, you may want to include a key
takeaway or lesson.
I) Pick a Structure: - Plays are made up of acts. Within each act are multiple scenes. When writing your play, you
need to decide which kind of structure you want. As a new playwright, you may want to begin with a simple
structure, such as a one-act play. These are the most common play structures:
J) One-act play: - The play runs all the way through without an intermission. You still need a narrative arc, but you
may have fewer settings and scenes.
K) Two-act play: - Most contemporary plays use the two-act structure. A two-act play consists of two parts with an
intermission in between. They allow for more complex sets since your crew can set up a new scene during the
intermission. Audiences appreciate an intermission so they can stretch, use the restroom, and discuss the first act
with one another.
L) Three-act play:- This is the most complex play structure to write. If you decide on a three-act play, you may
need an intermission between each act. These types of plays tend to be longer due to the extra intermissions and
length of the acts. In many three-act plays, act one is typically the exposition, act two is the rising action, and act
three is the resolution.
M) Make an Outline: - Before writing the entire play from scratch, create a general outline of your play. Include
the following in your outline: General Stage Actions: Act, Scenes
N) Write Using the Outline: - Once you have a solid outline, you can start writing your play script. Filling in the
outline with your actual script is a smart way to stay organized. You want to start giving your script depth and move
it along with the following components:
1) Dialogue: This is one of the main components that guide your play. Consider what dialogue each
character has and how this develops who they are.
2) Actions: Within the script, you need to note what each character is doing. Make it clear so the actors have
a better understanding of what they need to do.
3) Technical elements: This includes things like costume changes, props, lighting, and settings.
4) Edit and Rewrite After writing your first draft, it‘s time to read through the entire play script and start
making adjustments. For instance, if your dialogue feels a bit flat, you need to rewrite it in a way that sounds
more natural. Consider how people talk in real life, and try to make your characters feel human and
emotional. Things such as interruptions and tangents can make it sound more realistic.
Have someone else read through your play to see if it makes sense to them. Ask them to note anything that is
a bit confusing or needs more development. Since the story is in your head, you may not realize that it‘s not
as straightforward on paper.
Genre
Genre is a category or style of play script on theatre (film). Script writer‘s used many types of genre. Some of
them are listed below.
1. Comedy: - more focuses on a problem that leads to some form of catastrophe which in the end has a happy
and joyful outcome.
2. Musical comedy:- Comedy enacted through music, singing and dance.
3. Musical theater: A theatrical genre in which the primary means of performance is through singing and
music.
 4. Melodrama:- that concerns the suffering of the good at the hands of the villains but ends happily with good
triumphant. Featuring stock characters such as the noble hero, the long-suffering heroine, and the cold-
blooded villain.
5. Tragedy: -A drama that treats in a serious and dignified style the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or
caused by a heroic individual.
6. Tragi-comedy: -A drama that has a bitter/sweet quality, containing elements of tragedy and comedy.

Printmaking
Printmaking a type of art that uses an inked block or plate to print an image this allows multiple printings, unlike
drawing or painting. It is the art of stamping. The purpose printmaking making multiples of the same images, words,
letters etc.
Types of Printing and Processes
1. Silkscreen
Images made by forcing ink through silk stretched on a wooden
frame.
 Stencil or block-out image using fluid
 Apply ink to areas were no fluid was used
 Squeegee ink through screen onto
 fabric/paper/clothing

2. Lithography
In the lithography images made by printing on the surface of the stone or surface
A greasy (oil-based) crayon is applied to a smooth block of limestone. The stone is ground down, acid is applied to clean
it, water is sponged onto the stone and oil-based ink is rolled on.
Ink will only stick to the crayon but not the water.
Paper is placed on top and a large press applies pressure to transfer the ink.

3. Intaglio/Etching
In intaglio imaging, images made by printing from the lower surface. Lines are cut or etched into a smooth plate of metal
Ink is rubbed into the grooves and the surface is wiped clean. Damp paper is forced into the inked grooves by heavy
printing press.

4. Monotype Printing
In monotype printing, Image made by painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface one time
 An image is painted
 The paper is pressed onto the image, transferring it.
 The unique aspect of a monotype is that the plate can never be replicated.
5. Relief Printing
In Relief Printing Images made by printing from a raised surface
 The lowered area does not print – stays the color of the paper.
 One color ink
 Examples – woodcuts, linoleum cuts, found objects, fingerprints

Paper Mache
Paper Mache is a type of an art work making sculpture, and which is prepared by paper mud. A paper may any type of
trash paper (unwanted paper). A paper mud used to make any type of sculpture instead of cement, wood, metal or
other elements.
Basic steps of paper Mache projects:
1. Create an armature for your sculpture, or find an object that has the shapes you want for your project.
2. Prepare paper mud using unwanted paper and with small water
3. Add some paste (it may homemade glue), or mix up some paper Mache clay (mud).
4. Apply the paper Mache to your form.
5. Allow the paper Mache to dry all the way through.
6. Use acrylic paint (or oil paint) to decorate your paper Mache sculpture and seal your sculpture with acrylic varnish.
Cultural Dimension in Music
Music is a fascinating topic for evolutionary theory, natural philosophy, and narrative construction: music is
a highly valued feature of all known living cultures, pervading many aspects of daily life, playing many roles. And
music is ancient. The oldest known musical instruments appear in the archaeological record from 40,000 years
ago(40 Kya) from these we can infer even earlier musical artifacts/activities, as yet unrepresented in the
archaeological record.
The origin of music
The invention of music in Ancient Greek mythology is credited to the muses, various goddesses who were daughters
of the King of the gods; Zeus. Persian/Iranian mythology holds that Jamshid, a legendary Shah, invented music.
The first form of music
―Hurrian Hymn No.6‖ is considered the world‘s earliest melody, but the oldest musical composition to have
survived in its entirety is a first century A.D. Greek tune known as the ―Seikilos Epitaph.‖ The song was found
engraved on an ancient marble column used to mark a woman‘s gravesite in Turkey.
The Beginning of Music
One popular story from the middle Ages credits the Greek philosopher Pythagoras as the inventor of music.
The firs maker of music
Making music is a universal human trait that goes back to at least 35,000 years [Link] the evidence for some of
the world‘s earliest musical instruments.
Is music older than language?
Music came first. The language part came later. ... This led them to hypothesize that language is better thought of as
a special type of music. The music developed first and provides the foundation—from an evolutionary and a
developmental standpoint—for language acquisition.
Music is a powerful knowledge
Music is a language of emotion in that it can represent different feelings and barge into the soul with no boundaries
or limitations. People are always challenged by the fact that ―no one understands them‖ or know how they ―really
feel‖, so they turn to music....Music also has the capacity to imitate emotions.
 Cultural Dimension In Musical Instrument
Cultural dimensions are the mostly psychological dimensions, or value constructs, which can be
used to describe a specific culture. These are often used in intercultural communication-/cross-
cultural communication. Cultural indicators are shared features such as language, and common
values, in a cultural group.
Music is a tool for understanding cultures, for promoting self-confidence. Music learning can
explode a desire for lifelong learning; expand students‘ imagination and creativity.
Generally Cultural dimensions are the mostly psychological dimensions, or value constructs, which can be used to
describe a specific culture. Cultural indicators are shared features such as language, and common values, in a
cultural group.
The oldest instrument ever in the world
The discovery pushes back humanity‘s musical roots. A vulture-bone flute discovered in a European cave is
likely the world‘s oldest recognizable musical instrument and pushes back humanity‘s musical roots, a new study
says.

The first musical instrument is Flute

German archaeologists have found mammoth bone and swan bone flutes dating back to 30,000 to 37,000 years old
in the Swabia Alps. The flutes were made in the Upper Paleolithic age, and are more commonly accepted as being the
oldest known musical instruments.

Since it was around this time – 40 Kya – that Cro-Magnon humans arrived in Europe, it appears that they
brought the ability to make and use musical artifacts with them from Africa. I side with the view that musical
technology has a much older past, currently (and perhaps indefinitely) hidden from the material record.

Central African ivory horn

Prehistoric musical instruments enable rare and fascinating glimpses into an otherwise largely hidden culture,
revealing more and more about our lineage‘s ancient past.
 African musical bow (Obubra, Nigeria), using the mouth as a resonator.

Ancient humans were certainly capable of creating musical technologies well before they currently appear in the
material record. It is a striking fact, in my view, that even the oldest known flutes demonstrate such an investment of
time, energy and resources.
Ivory flute production bespeaks the maturity and sophistication of Upper Palaeolithic musical technologies.
And the commitment of valuable resources to musical technologies implies that music really mattered to ancient
humans.

The most popular instrument in the world

The most popular musical instruments in the world are Piano, Guitar, Violin, Drums, Saxophone, Flute, Cello,
Clarinet e.t.c

The most famous flute player in the world

James Galway is considered by many seasoned and newbie flute players as the greatest flute players and the most
famous in the world.
The oldest drum
The oldest drum to be discovered is the Alligator Drum. It was used in Neolithic China, and was made from clay
and alligator hides. The Alligator Drum was often used in ritual ceremonies, and dates back as early as 5500 BC.
Cave man music
Science / Medicine: The Oldest Oldies: Caveman Music: Instruments made of bone or stone have been copied and
used to create rhythms believed similar to those of prehistoric times. Researchers increasingly believe music played
a major part in bringing humans of that era together.
The founder of guitar
Although steel-stringed acoustic guitars are now used all over the world, the person who is thought to have created
the first of these guitars was a German immigrant to the United States named Christian Frederick Martin (1796-
1867).Guitars at the time used so-called catgut strings created from the intestines of sheep.
Such instruments as lyres, lutes, reed-voiced pipes, and tambourines appear in the material record from around 1,800
BCE onwards. For instance, the tomb of Tutankhamun contained musical instruments sheltered from the elements
for over 3,300 years.

Cultural Dimensions In Dance

Dance has the ability to shape minds, bodies, and communities. It is a tool for understanding
cultures, for instilling healthy physical practices, and for promoting self-confidence. Dance
education can explode a desire for lifelong learning, expand students‘ imagination and creativity,
and prepare them for the increasingly innovative and changing landscape of the modern world.
Dance education draws from a broad field of dance practices that include performing,
improvising, choreographing, critiquing, recording, viewing, and more.
Dance education explores ways that human bodies move “through space and time with energy or effort”. These
practices offer multiple ways for learners to engage with, make sense of, and respond to their world through various
approaches and in diverse dance education contexts.

The Main Points of Cultural Dimensions

 Cultural dimensions are the mostly psychological dimensions, or value constructs, which can be
used to describe a specific culture. These are often used in intercultural communication -/cross-
cultural communication-based research.
 There are five cultural dimensions or ‗problem areas‘ which represent differences among
national cultures power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism/collectivism,
masculinity/femininity and long-term orientation
 The four original dimensions of cultural difference were: power, distance index, individualism
versus collectivism.
Culture has three dimensions or aspects:
 Material dimension.
 Normative dimension.
 Symbolic dimension.
Cultural markers are shared features such as language, and common values, in a cultural group.
These help define the group. For example, the majority of people who are Islamic speak Arabic.
This is an example of a shared feature.
There are core cultural differences:
Individualism, Power Distance, Uncertainty, Avoidance, Cooperative
National culture is the norms, behaviors, beliefs, customs, and values shared by the population of a
nation (e.g., Ethiopian national culture).It refers to specific characteristics such as language,
religion, ethnic and ethnic identity, cultural history and traditions.
Cultural dimensions are the mostly psychological dimensions
What are 10 examples of culture?
Norms, Rules, Languages, Festivals, Rituals, Ceremony, Holidays, Pastimes, Food, Architecture.
Put simply, your cultural identity is the feeling that you belong to a group of people like you. This is
often because of shared qualities like birthplace, traditions, practices, and beliefs, Art, music, and
food also shape your cultural identity.
Understanding is at the Heart of Effective Communication.
Cultural identity refers to a person’s sense of belonging to a particular culture or group. This
process involves learning about and accepting traditions, heritage, language, religion, ancestry,
aesthetics, thinking patterns, and social structures of a culture....The culture becomes a part of their
self-concept.
Cultural identity is constructed and maintained through the process of sharing collective
knowledge such as traditions, heritage, language, aesthetics, norms and customs. As
individuals typically affiliate with more than one cultural group, cultural identity is complex and
multifaceted
Culture helps define how individuals see themselves and how they relate to others. ...A family‘s
cultural values shape the development of its child‘s self-concept: Culture shapes how we each see
ourselves and others. For example, some cultures prefer children to be quiet and respectful when
around adults.
Theatre
Ethiopia has many local stories such as proverbs, dialects, and riddles, and etc. We have to use them and express
their values in theatre, film/ video as the source of indigenous knowledge
Some examples of Ethiopian proverbs are listed for you as follows:
 The dog barks after the hyena has left.
 A woman without a man is like a field without a seed.
 The son of the Nile Thirsts for water.
 Slowly by slowly an egg will walk.
 One who hides their illness cannot expect to be cured.
Sculpture (monuments) and artifacts in early history
Throughout the world early history different types of sculptures and artifacts has been made. These sculptures and
artifacts have a significant purpose for the development of art history and culture. In this unit we will evaluate the
purpose of sculptures and artifacts according to conserving the history of human civilization.
Sculpture
Sculpture is a branch of the visual art that operates in three dimensions which means it occupies space. Sculpture is
also tactile; one could actually touch it and feel different forms and textures. Plus looking at sculpture is a dynamic
activity, the work changes as the viewer moves around it.
This branch of the visual art can be made by using different techniques. The most effective ways for durable
sculptural processes are carving (the removal of material) and modeling (the addition of material). Sculpture
(monument) can be made from different materials such as stone, metal, ceramics, plastic, and so on. Since
modernism, there has been a total freedom of material and process. Sculpture has been central in religious devotion
in many cultures. In our country there are ancient sculptures like the great monuments of Aksum which were made
by carving a single giant stones and the life-size saints which were carved into the Church of Bet Golgotha Lalibela.

Aksum monument and Life size relif sculptures in lalibela

When we look at the history of sculptures in Africa in the first place we will find the ancient sculptures of Egypt
which are world famous. Egypt is known for its giant pharaoh sculptures and sunk reliefs. These sculptures and
reliefs are found in the gate of ancient Egyptian palaces and they represent their glorious civilization. Sculpture is
also most common among West African countries. In these countries sculptures were made in a form of masks rather
than giant figurative representation. These masks in particular were often made for religious ceremonies.
  Ancient Egyptian monuments

 Giant Asian sculptures

Also in the Asia and Europe sculptures and monuments are the part of their ancient history. In the Asian countries
most of the sculptures and monuments are made based on religious aspects. And the sizes of the sculptures are
gigantic. On the other hand the European countries sculptures and monuments have different characteristics than the
Asian countries. European sculptures main focus is to idolize and magnify the idea of beauty. In most of the
European sculptures we will notice mythological contents in a wide range.

 Western African masks

 European sculptures
Artifacts
An Artifact is a general term for an item made or given shape such as a tool or a work of art, especially an object of
archaeological interest. When archeologists evacuate areas in which ancient cultures or civilization existed, the
artifacts they found will give a great use to learn about the past civilization. Also artifacts can be used to provide a
clue about a perished civilization, suggest how the people lived at that specific time and they can be a very good
asset to clarify the information needed if there are no extra evidences or clues. Artifacts can exist in many different
forms for example stone tools, pottery vessels, metal objects such as weapons, coins and personal items like jewelry
and cloths. Bones that show signs of human modification can also be examples. Artifacts can be used as both
cultural and functional purposes. Ethiopia is one of the countries with ancient civilization. Many archeological
artifacts have been found in Ethiop0ia. These founding include Coins and hunting tools.

Coin from Aksum kingdom Coins to Ezana kingdom

Aesthetic Value
What is Aesthetic Value?
Aesthetic value is the value that an object, event, or state of affairs (most paradigmatically an artwork or the
natural environment) possesses in virtue of its capacity to elicit pleasure (positive value) or displeasure (negative value)
when appreciated or experienced aesthetically.
Aesthetics is a core design principle that defines a design‘s pleasing qualities. In visual terms, aesthetics includes
factors such as balance, color, movement, pattern, scale, shape and visual weight. Designers use aesthetics to
complement their designs‘ usability, and so enhance functionality with attractive layouts.
Music is the purest form of art, and therefore the most direct expression of beauty, with a form and spirit which is
one and simple, and least encumbered with anything extraneous. We seem to feel that the manifestation of the infinite in
the finite forms of creation is music itself, silent and visible.
Aesthetic value is a judgment of value based on the appearance of an object and the emotional responses it
evokes.
Simply put, aesthetics make us happy. On an emotional level they elicit feelings of happiness and calm. They
connect us to our ability to reflect on and appreciate the world around us which in turn gives us feelings of contentment
and hope.
reed-based than that of other African countries.
Value of music works
What kind of music is popular in Ethiopia?
Marked by eerie and ancient-sounding tones, typical of traditional Ethiopian music, Ethio-jazz also displays the sensual
undertones of soulful jazz. Read on to explore the dramatic story of Ethiopia›s most recognizable music genre.
What is traditional Ethiopia music called?
Traditional, Modern and the Golden Age Traditional music form the basis of all Ethiopian styles. Even the most
famous modern singing stars like Tilahun Gessesse or Mahmoud Ahmed have two repertoires, one modern, the other
rooted in tradition.
What instruments are used in Ethiopia?
Ethiopian traditional music is best expressed with its musical instruments, besides the contribution of the renowned
[Link] most characteristic and widely used instruments are the masinko, the krar, and in the church mostly
useful washint, begena, kebero, and the tom-tom.
What kind of music originated in Ethiopia?
Hip hop music started influencing Ethiopian music in the early to mid-2000s and culminated with the creation of
Ethiopian hip hop, often performed in the native Amharic [Link] Yo and Lij Michael, are often credited with
helping to spread the influence of the now dominant genre.
Who is the famous musician in Ethiopia?
Mulatu Astatke (1943 - ) With an HPI of 60.85, Mulatu Astatke is the most famous Ethiopian Musician.

How would you describe Ethiopian music?

Like its people‘s fashion sense, the music of each of Ethiopia reflects the distinct personality of the country‘s various
ethnic groups. Traditional music incorporates African folk sounds, but generally is less rhythmic and more string- and
reed-based than that of other African countries.
Value of dance works
The relationship of music and dance
Socialization and interaction are central features of dance as a group experience. Music provides unique and powerful
tools and processes for communication and collaboration that transcend time, place, language, and [Link]
collaborative nature of dance education nurtures positive relationships and interactions.
What are the similarities of traditional and contemporary music?
Traditional music was similar to how life was, during the time period. Modern music shows emotion or describes
people in everyday life. Contemporary musicians also can be influenced by older musicians or artists from a bygone era.
What is the difference between African and popular music?
Western Music is, broadly speaking, expressed with emphasis on the downbeat, whereas African music seems to
emphasize the rhythm on the upbeat. Sometimes, to the untrained ear, African music appears deceptively easy to
reproduce, but once you try it, there seem to be layers beneath layers of rhythm.
What makes African music different from other forms of music?
African singers use a wide variety of sounds. The melodies are short, repeated over and over, also include whistles and
yodels which is peculiar to African style of music. Soloist often improvises new melodies while the chorus continuous
with the original melody creating a polyphonic structure.
What are the similarities of traditional music and contemporary music?
Traditional music was similar to how life was, during the time [Link]‘ve learned music through hearing others
play it. Contemporary music also can be influenced by older musicians or artists from a bygone era.
What is the importance of traditional music to contemporary music?
Traditional music, itself, represents traditions and customs of a nation. In conclusion, traditional music is much more
important than the modern international music which can be heard in every part of the world. Youngsters should give
their heart to their own traditional music to keep their cultural heritage alive.
What are the most important elements of African music?
Throughout Africa, there are four distinct categories of musical instruments: drums, wind, self-sounding and string
[Link] African drum (called the heart of the community) is the most significant instrument as it reflects people‘s
moods and emotions, and its rhythm holds dancers together.

Health benefits of dancing

 Improved condition of your heart and lungs.
 Increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness. Increased aerobic fitness.
 Improved muscle tone and strength.
 Weight management.
 Stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
 Better coordination, agility and flexibility.
The five elements of dance
Here we detail the five elements that all forms of dance and creative movement have in common: body, action, space,
time and energy.
The six characteristics of a good dance
Specifically, in dance we identify six dynamic qualities: sustained, percussive, swinging, suspended, collapsed, and
vibratory.
 Values of Theatre
1) Theatre teaches empathy.
2)Theatre creates strong Communicators in best communication.
3) Theatre demands creative thinking and problem solving in social conflicts through narrative stories on the stage.
4) Theatre builds teamwork and collaboration through chain of commands to benefit something good.
5) Theatre is the tool of grievance.
6) Theatre makes easy way to integrate.
By its nature, theatre is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers (actors, actresses) to present the
live performance in the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place called the stage.
Values of Film as an Art
1) Movie or cinema can be taken as a form of expressive therapy for overcoming medical and mental health issues.
2) Film or Video can boost our immune system and develops you to be healthier.
3) Movie help the viewer cope and used as the best tool for escaping reality
4) Film or Movie brings together families and couples
5) Film or Movie can inspire the viewer to be a better person in difficult situation that means that the film made a big
impression on you.
6) Watching Movie or Film helps the viewer to learn new things that suggests one of the biggest benefits of watching
movies, especially when it comes to kids and young people, is learning new things.
7) Watching movies help us appreciate art and often make us interested in some kind of art or artist.
Value of Visual Arts
Visual art is an art form primarily perceived by the eye. Visual art is a way of thinking and communication. To think and
communicate one must learn how to appreciate and value a piece of an art work. Visual art is life itself which means the
world and how we appreciate it can be included in visual arts. There are 5 main purposes of visual art: - ceremonial,
narrative, artistic expression, functional and persuasive.
1. Ceremonial: - ceremonial art is an art work which is made to celebrate or commemorate something important in a
culture, ritual or worship and personal life.
2. Narrative: - Narrative art tells a story or makes a point. Some communities commission narrative murals for buildings
or walls to depict stories from local history. Narrative art describes, illustrate and document historical event.
3. Artistic expression: - Art created for artistic expression focuses on the artist‘s personal, emotional and ideal
expressions. These types of art pieces sometimes but not always can be applied in abstract ways.
4. Functional: - Functional art seeks to beautify objects that are useful in day today life. Pottery, baskets, quilts, furniture
can be included.
5. Persuasive: - Persuasive art works promote ideas, philosophies or products. Adverting, marketing, propaganda and
virtual messages of ideology can be categorized under this section.
Tools and messages on monuments and artifacts
Monuments
Monuments cannot be analyzed apart from their historical and cultural context.
Now we are going to look the history of three well known monuments found in our city Addis Ababa. These monuments
are: -
Yekatit 12
The Yekatit 12 is a monument in Addis Ababa commemorating victims of Italian reprisals following an attempt to kill the
Marshal Rodolfo Graziani on 19 February 1937, or Yekatit 12 in the Ethiopian [Link] monument can be in two
categories the one in the bottom shows how happy the people were living before the Italian occupation and the upper part
of the sculpture featuring the suffering of those people gone through that [Link] monument is made from Marble and
Bronze.
Miyazia 27
Meyazia 27 Square is noted for its impressive obelisk built for Atse Haile Selassie›s coronation in 1930. The historic
moment depicts a Lion of Judah and a circle of relief figures and monumental panels celebrating the liberation of
Ethiopia. Its name denotes 27 Miyazya, 5 May, both the day when Addis Ababa fell to Italy in 1936 and was liberated in
1941. Stones carved in different forms have been used to erect this monument.
Lion of Judah
The sculpture of the Lion of Judah, in gilded bronze, is placed on a black granite pedestal decorated with relief portraits
of Menelik II, Haile Selassie I, Zewditu and Ras Makonnen Wolde [Link] work was made by the French sculptor
Georges Gardet in 1930, on the occasion of the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie on November 2, [Link]
monument serves as a meaning for change and proud history of the past.