During our first talk with Rakhi, we touched upon a wide range of topics. The session proved to be an interesting and very different introduction to the class from what i had in mind. Some of the topics I'd like to discuss are:
-Yinka Shonibare:
We watched a video clip about, Yinka Shonibare, an African artist who combines Victorian scenes and batik fabrics to create interesting installations. His art questions the boundaries of culture. One can see a strong influence of European, African and Asian societies in his work. He explores the African diaspora and plays with the idea of African identity. The reason to 'question' is because of his bi-cultural upbringing. He uses Batik fabrics which are vibrantly coloured and intricately patterned and these are associated with the culture of West Africa. The reason for his choice is to question international relationships, question the national world and also themes of ethnic identity and the stereotype of African culture. He says, 'medium is just the means of expression' and questions what 'authentic African art' is.
-the cross as a symbol:
The cross dates back way before Christianity after which it has been more frequently used and has become an iconic symbol to the religion. Almost every culture has seen the use of the cross as a symbol, be it for religious purposes or just ornamental value. The most common representation of the cross is believed to be the division of the world into 4 cardinal points, or the union of the concepts of divinity and the world.
Some of the earliest recordings of the use of the cross:
>cross shaped incisions on European cult caves
>on ancient Celtic coins
>used sometimes as the tree of life symbol in combination with other imagery
>as of April 10 2013, the first use of the cross was found at the Tell Khaiber excavation site in Ur, Iraq, about 4000 years ago. One of the buildings is cross shaped, being very similar to the christian cross.
>the ankh- the Egyptian cross, the pagan symbol of life
>the swastika form- symbol of the sun, daily rotation.
Also the christian cross came into use only about 3 centuries after Christ, during the time of Constantine. and it is said to have been taken directly from the pagans.
-the paisley
here is a very informative link to a page which shows the origin of the paisley being used on shawls and how it traveled to the west.
http://threadsofhistory.blogspot.in/2009/09/paisley-visual-history.html
-Yinka Shonibare:
We watched a video clip about, Yinka Shonibare, an African artist who combines Victorian scenes and batik fabrics to create interesting installations. His art questions the boundaries of culture. One can see a strong influence of European, African and Asian societies in his work. He explores the African diaspora and plays with the idea of African identity. The reason to 'question' is because of his bi-cultural upbringing. He uses Batik fabrics which are vibrantly coloured and intricately patterned and these are associated with the culture of West Africa. The reason for his choice is to question international relationships, question the national world and also themes of ethnic identity and the stereotype of African culture. He says, 'medium is just the means of expression' and questions what 'authentic African art' is.
-the cross as a symbol:
The cross dates back way before Christianity after which it has been more frequently used and has become an iconic symbol to the religion. Almost every culture has seen the use of the cross as a symbol, be it for religious purposes or just ornamental value. The most common representation of the cross is believed to be the division of the world into 4 cardinal points, or the union of the concepts of divinity and the world.
Some of the earliest recordings of the use of the cross:
>cross shaped incisions on European cult caves
>on ancient Celtic coins
>used sometimes as the tree of life symbol in combination with other imagery
>as of April 10 2013, the first use of the cross was found at the Tell Khaiber excavation site in Ur, Iraq, about 4000 years ago. One of the buildings is cross shaped, being very similar to the christian cross.
>the ankh- the Egyptian cross, the pagan symbol of life
>the swastika form- symbol of the sun, daily rotation.
Also the christian cross came into use only about 3 centuries after Christ, during the time of Constantine. and it is said to have been taken directly from the pagans.
-the paisley
here is a very informative link to a page which shows the origin of the paisley being used on shawls and how it traveled to the west.
http://threadsofhistory.blogspot.in/2009/09/paisley-visual-history.html
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