Module 10

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above. -I chose African art because that type of art has always stood out to me as very creative and inspirational. I think having a very different culture to celebrate is unique yet fascinating the way African art is incorporated in their celebrations of life. The different meanings behind their art and masks and the different way they use art –dancing, rituals, masks, pottery, their homes is really very interesting. 2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned. African Art -art shown daily life, homes and utensils -defines expression in dress and hair styles -art especially important in African rituals -statues and mask and other objects once used in ceremonies –dance -many masks made of wood and straw -drawings in hard rock usually resemble animals --humans are also represented in rock art -farming and gathering replaced bunting -artistic achievements flourished 15-17 centuries -sculptures glorify rulers who are early Egyptian pharaohs seen to be devine -bronze casting -carved chairs resembling rulers power -Great Zimbabwe great political and economic system -walled enclosure –represented authority of rulers -fortress guards the valley -early Europeans saw African art as child like -primitine - portrayed a lack of understanding -perceptual and conceptual views -perceptual: based on the artists observation of visual reality; scenes and human subjects appear life like -conceptual: flows from artists imagination, expresses interior set of ideas rather then reality; power of symbolism -figure sculptures primarily found in west Africa -utilitarian objects have rich and symbolic meaning -creating objects in a traditional way --artists are respected community members -emphasis on copying and recopying others art -African art intertwined with the realms of magic and religion -animals, plants and stones are animated by unseen spirits -rituals gave humans control over such forces -art was believed to intervene actual course of life -an art object not supposed to represent a living human or animal but congier or spirit -used to worships and obsess spirits, gods and ancestors -mystic symbolism is most evident in 3D art sculptures and masks -some statues represent the power and wealth of rulers -other carvings represent the spirits and continuity of life -through the statues, the dead are among the living -in some regions, the elongated vertical forms suggest the ancestors remoteness from daily life -sculptures represent wild bush spirits these figures fed during sacrificial rituals intended to keep wild spirits at bay. -strong design elements in African culture; rigid frontal postures are common (suggest figures should be viewed faced on), side views carefully planned, texture is important, mask used in dance and other rituals, some are relatively naturalistic, others are highly stylized and abstract. -wooden masks usually embellished in feathers, metal, fur and other materials -many dance masks are remarkable best viewed in one element theatre and ritual -dancers move to a rhythm that puts them in touch with the forces of the universe. -among some African peoples, masks as a means of acquiring the power, powerful harvest, or to grantee good hunting, -animal masks are used to symbolize relationships between animals and the world of humanity -identify specific animals as courage or beauty -the masks allow the dancers to communicate with or even become one with gods or spirits -masks can also represent war like strength -masks were often a way to prepare for battle or to celebrate victory -village life styles are being influenced by growing urban centers -universalizing religions islam and Christianity replaced old beliefs -today masks that once had great power, now languish in museums -now art is used to flourish the market etc. African Art: Legacy of Oppression -usually see African art as static facing your frontally -masks worn by priests to connect to the dead- in Yambe culture –a sinking feelings in the pit of the stomach -huge range from central African art styles -give a visual vocabulary to use -systems of signs that can be read by the people of their society -artists of central Africa glorified the mothernes of their mothers, chiefness or their chiefs -forces of the land of the dead with actual containers of magical potions, revenge, masks -mask- white side healthy person black side sick person- masks like this were meant to scare you to treat handi capped people well because it can happen to you. Manhood to represct their elders -masks were meant to intimidate enemies In battle -masks could not protect against machine gun bullets -didn’t work against use westerners -Belgium massacre -congo- bullets= right hands, slavery 2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text? The readings in the text talks about the symbolic meaning behind different sculptures as well as masks. It talks about how art in Africa often serves as an agent to bring about some desired state of affairs, usually through contact with spirit powers. Among African art, the masquerade is the greatest involving costumes, sculptures, music, and movement. In western museums, African masks are commonly exhibited and admired as sculpture. But in Africa a mask is never displayed in public as an isolated, inert object. It appears only in motion, only as the head or face of a spirit being that has appeared in the human community. 3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts? I really liked the first video because I learned quite a few things that I did not know about. I also am saddened that the African art has changed and art isn’t just necessarily made for art and meaning but for economic purposes as the last thing discussed in the video. I like hot the videos went into depth about the ritualistic view of the masks and what they stand for and how they were used.