Week 7: Art As A Culture

1.     Functions of Early Art:

a.      The cave paintings were trying to tell a story of the animals that surrounded that area and of the people and their interactions with other animals or other people. Sort of like a first generation picture book.

b.     The animals traveled in packs always and sometimes people would not. They were probably more fascinated with the animals as well. They also made more paintings of animals probably to tell the story of when they would be hunting.

c.      By the way the Paleolithic people painted the men and their weapons you can tell that they traveled in the nude sometimes and their weapon could be as simple as a spear. The way they would paint the animals showed a slight feeling of fear of the animals as well. That the animals were praised more than they were.

d.     They would ground up colored rock (yellow ocher and red oxide or charcoal, specifically) and then they would add spit, water, or animal fat to create a paste when mixed and help it stick to the wall. To spread the paint onto the walls of the caves they would use their finger, twigs, moss, or horse hairbrushes in order to put it on. They also blew paint through bone tubes or reed pipes onto the walls.

e.      Early humans use this art for display of their success or story of hunting, spiritual communications, and a call for help. They had thought sometimes that this was a way of calling out to their spirits to help them or tell them of tragedies or as for guidance.

2.     The Commonalities in Art:

The commonalities between the early humans and modern humans regarding art was that some paintings now tell stories as well and the abstract way of painting is still used today. The other common interests between then and now is the finger painting. It is still used today a lot and is encouraged for kids to do.

3.     Introduce us to your favorite art: (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18MFUE0Vpgw  )

a.      Lyrical dancing conveys a huge message through body language. It can be done in a large body of people or individually or even as a duet. But the main focus is the body. It reminds me of hula dancing sort of because hula dancers always tell a story too but mainly with their arms and hands. Lyrical dancing tells a story through the whole body as well as facial expressions. It tells you the story behind the song playing.

b.     Hawaii is known for hula dancing and this has some elements of lyrical dancing but lyrical dancing on its own is used in many cultures. It tells the story it just has become more complex since modern day. The only language is the body language going with the fluctuation in the vocals and music and the lyrics for the tone of the performance. The usual dress for a lyrical dance performance involves tights, with no shoes, and shorts and a top or a petite dress.

c.      The only detrimental effects of lyrical dancing would be for the one doing it. You have to be very graceful and precise yet messy and chaotic at other points and go back and forth from slow motion to very rapid motion to make a statement with what feeling you are trying to portray and that can be very strenuous or painful and you have to have an abundance of muscle. I feel it benefits society as another form of art that is beautiful and also tells a story just like any other form of art though this form goes by more what the song says instead of what the performing artists makes up with words but the body movements are all theirs.