1. Introduction to Art and Architecture Part 2.5 Class presentations Desert Art Dept.- Laurent Mankin Art 1

2. INDIA

3. Standing Vishnu as Keshava Dasoia of Belligrama 12th century INDIA- sculpture Date back to the 2 nd and 3 rd millennia. Body parts symbolize ideal forms in nature. Indian sculptors try to maintain traditional styles, instead of having individual styles. Nudity was used to represent the spirit, and to reveal the imagined shapes of the gods. For example, gods had many arms. Sculpture was the favorite medium of artists on the Indian sub-continent, and temples and houses were built with sculptures as part of the structure, so they could not be changed. Durna as Slayer of the Buffalo Demon, Mahishasura 14th–15th century

4. INDIA- sculpture characteristics Many sculptures depict deities. Deities shown with multiple arms to represent superhuman abilities. Most have many details, wearing or carrying many accessories Often stone or metal They had two main qualities they mainly focused on: Figures are curvy, “voluptuous” Lifelike representation Shiva as Lord of the Dance, India, Tamil Nadu c. 950–1000 (from LACMA archives)

5. INDIA- religion Buddhism and Hinduism were both faiths represented in Indian artwork. Some artwork depicted Buddhist legends and royal lifestyles. A lot of influence came from the Gupta empire (ca. 320- 520 AD). Buddha Shakyamuni India, Uttar Pradesh Late 6th century Bust of Vishnu 5th–6th century Terracotta

6. AFRICA- Zimbabwe

7. Zimbabwe “Zimbabwe” was derived from the Shona word “dzimbadzamabwe,” which means “house of stone.” It’s the only country on the African continent that has large deposits of stone suitable for sculpting. Shona sculpture first emerged in the 1940’s. KISSING LOVERS By Edronce Rukodzi Born 1952 Guruve District, Zimbabwe Black Granite Quarry, Zimbabwe

8. Zimbabwe- traditions Contemporary Zimbabwe: ancient traditions are represented by birds and other stone carvings of great Zimbabwe. Much of the modern sculptures are not made traditionally, but they have traditional subject matter. The most dedicated artists display a high degree of integrity, never copying and still working entirely by hand. Figures of stylized birds and human figures were most commonly made out of soapstone as well as harder igneous rocks. Soapstone Birds, 1000-1450

9. Zimbabwe- bird sculptures One of the most famous collections of sculptures in Zimbabwe is the “eight birds.” They were carved from soapstone, and each is 16 inches tall. They are combined with human and avian elements. These sculptures served as emblems of royal authority. The bird is believed to have an ancestral link to the heavens, and is sometimes called “Shiri ya Mwari,” or “the bird of God.” The current Zimbabwe flag and dollar include an image of a bird. Soapstone Birds, 1000-1450

10. Zimbabwe- Influence of African Art Picasso was greatly influenced by African sculptures, which helped him understand that his purpose as a painter was to mediate between perceived reality and the creativity of the human mind. The aesthetics of traditional African sculpture became a powerful influence among European artists, who formed an avant-garde movement in the development of modern art. Picasso, Woman With Bird Bernard Matemera, Family, 1987

11. EGYPT

12. Egyptians- Creation Methods There are various types of relief sculptures: Bas relief (figures project slightly from background) Sunken relief (background protrudes in front of figures) Outline relief (outlines of figures are chiseled) High relief (figures project some distance from the background Egyptians used hierarchical proportions. The larger the sculpture was, the more important that person/subject was. Egyptians used faience (a glass- or glaze-like coating), which was made of sand and chemicals. Royal Statues in Procession, ca. 1478-1458 B.C.E. Limestone Egyptian. Goddess Seshat, ca. 1919-1875 B.C.E. Limestone

13. Egypt- Sculptures Egyptians carved sandstone sculptures into the sides of preexisting stone. Statues within tombs or external resting places were consulted as oracles. Egyptian tombstones contained paintings and sculptures of the owner, sometimes with his family. It acted as a “false door” between the living and the dead. Many sculptures were made to resemble pharaohs, often created from limestone. Male sculptures were darker than female. The most colossal sculpture in the world is the Egyptian Sphinx, made to guard the pyramids of Giza. The Sphinx’s face is believed to bear the features of Khafre, son of Khufu.

14. Egypt- Paintings Paintings were used to help the deceased carry on a pleasant afterlife. They did so by depicting journeys through the afterworld. The Amorna period in Egyptian painting is important because it shows movement and activity in images. The human body is shown as being more feminine than earlier Egyptian art. Themes of monotheistic worship are present. Egyptian paintings are painted in such a way to show a profile view and side view of an animal or person. Ancient paintings survived in part due to Egypt’s dry climate. Mineral pigments they painted with could withstand sunlight and not fade.

15. ETHIOPIA Icon Triptych: Ewostatewos and Eight of His Disciples Date: late 17th century Geography: Ethiopia, North of Gojjam province

16. Ethiopia- Culture & history The advent of Christianity in Ethiopia in the fourth century marks the beginning of a tradition of religious paintings. Byzantine-based art that has survived includes architecture, sculpture, and painting. Sculptures were often meant to serve as a spirit home, usually for an ancestor. Or the sculpture could be used as an instrument of magical power. ****** Lake Tana monasteries Lake Tana monasteries | Ethiopia Ethiopia Colourful representation of religious scene in mural of Ura Kidane Mihret church Devil depicted on murals in Ura Kidane Mihret church

17. Ethiopia- Religion In the medieval period, Christianity spread to sub-Saharan Africa…first to Nubia, then to the young kingdom of Ethiopia. Ethiopia has a unique position as a Christian culture in Africa. Thousands of stone-cut churches are located in the Tigroy Mountains. Angels in Ethiopian art are represented as winged heads. Processional Cross Date: 14th–15th century Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela Colorful doorframe with cherubic faces and wings in Ura Kidane Mihret church

18. Characteristics of Ethiopian art Ethiopian paintings usually have no Corpus –or figure of Christ- and the design often incorporates smaller crosses Ethiopian art uses a variety of rich colors and figures that show movement. Figures are drawn into two dimensions, almost cartoon-like in their direct and simplistic portrayal, with strong colors, clear lines, and almond-shaped eyes. Ethiopian paintings are closely related to the simplified version of Byzantine Christian art. Ura Kidane Mihret: colourful wall and door with biblical scenes Lake Tana monasteries Lake Tana monasteries | Ethiopia | Africa Ethiopia Africa Kibran Gebriel church: finely painted mural