Curiosity Across Time

What can the objects a society creates tell us about what it values? Grade 6 students began exploring that question in Ancient World History with a visit to Lucy Sparrow’s The Beginning of Convenience at the Momentary. Back on campus, they turned their attention thousands of years into the past, studying the Lascaux cave paintings created by early foraging societies and stepping into a mock cave environment to create cave paintings of their own. Through both experiences, students considered how art and objects can reveal something about the people and cultures that created them.

The Momentary visit also launched students’ first mini-Flight Time. Flight Time gives Grade 6 students opportunities to follow their curiosity, explore a topic or question that interests them, and create something that demonstrates what they have learned. For this guided introduction, students selected an object from Sparrow’s installation to research, create as a felt version inspired by her work, and share with their peers.

From the objects of contemporary life to paintings on prehistoric cave walls, students are learning to look closely at what humans create—and consider what those creations can tell us about who we are.