Barnsdall Arts Sunday: Build Your Own Ziggurat!

Build your own Ziggurat at Barnsdall Arts Sunday. The ancient Sumerians invented the wheel, the first writing system (cuneiform), created amazing sculpture and bas reliefs, and built magnificent step pyramids out of mud and fired brick well before the Egyptians built the pyramids at Giza. Some of the temples date back to 3000 BCE! Most are worn down by erosion and the ravages of war. We’ll approximate their former glory with cardboard and tape. Plus, you’ll sign your work in cuneiform.

WHAT: Barnsdall Arts Sundays
WHEN: EVERY SUNDAY 10AM – 12PM
WHERE: JAC Studio 1, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, LA CA 90027
WHAT TO BRING: Nothing! All materials will be provided.

Building a Ziggurat

To make the base of the ziggurat:

1. Cut out one 10” square of cardboard for the bottom of the ziggurat.
2. Cut out four 10 x 4” strips of cardboard for the sides.
3. Lay one of the strips horizontally (the long side across).
4. Measure 2” in from the top left corner and place a dot.
5. Measure 2” in from the top right corner and place a dot.
6. Cut a diagonal from the bottom left corner of the strip to the top-left dot.
7. Cut a diagonal from the bottom right corner of the strip to the top-right dot. The result should measure 6” on the top and 10” on the botto
8. Use this shape as a pattern to cut the other three sides.
9. Align the diagonals of each of the four sides and tape them together.
10. Tape the sides to the base.
11. Cut out one 6” square and tape it to the top to complete the base.

To make the second and third levels:

1. Cut out one 4” square for the bottom of the second level.
2. Cut out four 4 x 2” strips.
3. Lay one of the strips horizontally.
4. Measure 1” in from the top left corner and place a dot.
5. Measure 1” in from the top right corner and place a dot.
6. Cut a diagonal from the bottom left corner of the strip to the top-left dot.
7. Cut a diagonal from the bottom right corner of the strop to the top-right dot.
8. Cut the diagonals. The result should measure 2” on the top and 4” on the bottom.
9. Use this shape as a pattern to cut the other three sides.
10. Tape the sides together and tape them to the 4” square base.
11. Cut out a 2” square and tape it to the top to complete the second level.
12. Center the second level on the base and tape it down.
13. Cut out a 1” cube and tape it in the center of the second level to create the top of the ziggurat.

To make the stairs:

1. Cut out two 4 x 4 x 7” triangles, one 1 x 7” rectangle, and one 1 x 4” rectangle.
2. Tape the longer rectangle recessed between 7” sides of the two triangles.
3. Tape the shorter rectangle between the 4” sides of the two triangles.
4. Tape the stairs to the base of the ziggurat.
5. Decorate!

Original File Name:14758.tif, Legacy Asset Id:, Description:”Ram in the Thicket” Of gold, silver, shell and lapis. Standing on mosaic pavement. Shell is Pinctada margaritifera; and Conus or Strombus. From Ur, Iraq. Royal Graves.

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