introduction to cultural anthropology the arts. what is art? why do anthropologists / sociologists...

Introduction to Cultural AnthropologyThe Arts

The Arts What is art? Why do anthropologists / sociologists

study art? What are the functions of the arts?

Recap: What is Culture? Human adaptation and CULTURE In ordinary speech (both ENG & CHN), the word

“culture” is used to refer to sophisticated tastes in art, literature, or music. But the sociological/ anthropological use of the term is much WIDER and implies that anyone participates in society is “cultured.”

Culture includes EVERYTHING that a human society produces and shares

Culture (way of life, “codes or blue prints” of societies) vs. society (people who shares a culture)

Cultures cannot exist without societies. Culture isn’t one “thing” but an elaborate system of

mental and physical “things.”

作为“数据”的文化根据泰勒对文化所作的第一个科学定义 , 文化

包括人类在精神和物质领域的一切活动：文化可以是阳春白雪，也可以是下里巴人；文化既是普通百姓的日常行为，也是专家能人的技术创造。在实践中，文化活动是一种规划、技巧、设计和策略。

在格尔兹（ Geertz ）看来，文化，尤其是地方性文化是一种供当地人阅读和研究者阐释的意义丰富的“文本。” 人类学者可选取文化中任何他们感兴趣的方面，通过“深描” 获取细节以达到阐释文化意义的目的。而文化意义在任何公开表达的符号形式如言语，仪式和习 俗当中都可找到。

What Is Art? Art is very difficult to define, but it

generally refers to the manifestations of human creativity through which people express themselves in dance, music, song, painting, sculpture, pottery, cloth, storytelling, verse, prose, drama, and comedy.

The use of human imagination to interpret and enjoy life.

People have been doing this for at 4,000 years.

Forms of Artistic Expression

- Body Arts

- Visual Arts

- Performance Arts

Art and Culture

- Secular and Religious Art

- Art and Gender

- Social Functions of Art

Artistic expression is as basic to human beings as talking.

All human beings adorn their bodies in certain ways to make a statement about who they are, both as individuals and as members of social groups of various sorts.

The Art of Storytelling The art of storytelling plays

a critical role in the transmission, preservation, and expression of cultural traditions.

All people tell stories in which they express their values, hopes, and concerns, revealing much about themselves and the nature of the world as they see it.

Why do anthropologists study art?

Art reflects a people’s cultural values. This is esp. true of the verbal arts – myths, legends, and tales. From these anthropologists may learn how a people order their universe and may discover much about a people’s history as well. Music and visual arts may provide insights into a people’s worldview.

Art is a necessary kind of activity in which every normal human being participates.

The idea of art serving nonuseful, nonpractical purposes is Euro-centric.

“Exquisite works of art” were originally made to be hidden away from human eyes.

Links between art and other aspects are common in human societies around the world.

The Pervasiveness of Art

In many human societies creating art is often of greater importance than the final product itself.

The Navajo Indians create intricate sand painting as part of a ritual act, only to destroy it once the ritual is over.

J. S. Bach’s cantatas were composed for church services.Art & religion

Art and Religion A lot of Western and non-Western art has been

done in association with religion, but not all non-Western art has ritual or religious importance.

Art and religion both have formal (museums and churches, temples) and informal (parks, homes, and regular gathering places) venues of expression:

- State-level societies have permanent structures for religion and art.

- Non-state-level societies lack permanent structures for religion and art.

面 具 Masks first appeared during the Shang and Zhou Dynasties (3,500 years ago) as a major element in Chinese shamanism.

generally made of wood and worn either on one's face (ghosts, demons and celestial animals)

exorcising dancers’ masks ; masks for festive occasions; for new born babies; for keeping houses safe; for theatrical performances

The Last Supper (Lord’s Table) A non-Christian

views this mural will see what appears to be 13 ordinary men at a table. Aesthetically s/he may admire the way the composition fits the space available, the way attitudes are depicted, the way a sense of movement is conveyed.

Record of customs? Real symbolic

meanings

Anthropological perspectives on arts

* “art for art’s sake” is a phenomenon distracting and diminishing the reality of creative expressions

Ex. Objects were not intended by their makers to be “art” (masks for ritual use, paintings for religious contemplation, ancestor figurines, furniture, and architectural details, etc.)

* the appreciation of different art forms varies cross-culturally (Chinese arts and crafts have both utilitarian and aesthetic values)

* artistic completeness or mastery is determined and maintained by formal and informal standards (regional variations)

* expressive culture of ordinary people

Expression of cultural identity for political purposes (ex. The Mardi Gras costume of New Orleans “Black Indians” & anti-American graffiti)

Anthropological perspectives on arts artists in traditional non-western societies

created objects or engaged in activities that re-presented the central values of a culture; artists cannot work on their art all of the time as they still must hunt, gather, fish, herd, or farm to eat; artists are seldom full-time specialists whose career is their work.

more collective production of art in non-western cultures than in Western cultures; artistic traditions are generally transmitted through families and kin groups

面 塑 Dough Sculpture Date back to the Han Dynasty

(206BC-AD220). Yellow River Valley (crude,

unconstrained and profound) vs. Yangtze River Valley delicate, exquisite & polished).

Materials & tools used: white flour, scissors, a kitchen knife, comb, Chinese dates, etc.

Well-leavened dough kneaded according to the set pattern

Popular wedding and birthday gifts; other ritual occasions

Decoration and beautification

剪 纸 Paper-Cuts Origin closely connected

with the invention of paper during the Han Dunasty (206 BC - 221 AD).

For celebrations, festivals and home decoration.

Paper cuttings are made on red paper (red is a lucky color).

Designs of dragons, birds, people, flowers, or sometimes Chinese characters.

Materials: paper/card (red)scissors and/or knife

Art and Individuality Some anthropologists have criticized that the

study of non-Western art ignores the individual and focuses too much on the group.

However, in many non-Western societies, there is more collective production of art than in Western cultures.

The degree to which artists can be separated from their work varies cross-culturally.

In all societies art is work

Ex. Chinese Embroidery (individuality) & Shadow Puppets (collectivism)

Embroidery Long established art form (early Han Dynasty)

Items: robes, theatrical costumes, purses, shoes, spectacle cases, banners, alter cloths and many other pieces

Stitches: satin stitch (long and short); Beijing stitch or French knot; Stem stitch; Couching; Chain stitch; Split stitch.

finely stitched pieces took 5-6 people years to complete

a pastime for wealthy ladies and many members of the court

Art, Society, and Culture Art is usually a public phenomenon that is

exhibited, performed, evaluated, and appreciated in society.

Folk art, music, and lore refer to the expressive culture of ordinary people.

Art is a form of social communication.

(recurring theme: high/low brow)

The Culture of “Faking” in the East

Folk Paintings (Huxian and Jinshan)

American Quilts

The Cultural Transmission of the Arts

Art is a part of culture, and as a result, appreciation for the arts is internalized during enculturation.

The appreciation of different art forms varies cross-culturally.

Ex. American Idols (the artistic talent of William Hung)

Verbal Arts Folklore. 19th century term first used to refer to

the traditional oral stories and sayings of the European peasant, and later extended to those traditions preserved orally in all societies

Myth. A sacred narrative explaining how the world came to be in its present form (e.g., Bible).

Legend. Stories told as true, set in postcreation world.

Tale. A creative narrative recognized as fiction for entertainment.

Other verbal arts

Myths are hallowed stories that express fundamental cultural values.

Ex. the Wizard of Oz and the original Star Wars are modern American cultural myths

A structural analysis of the two films demonstrates that Star Wars is a systematic transformation of Wizard of Oz.

Continuity and Change

The arts are always changing. The arts incorporate a wide variety of

media. The arts will probably remain (the

most expressive) form of culture.

Concluding remarks

With integration into global economic, traditional handmade goods must compete with mass-produced trade goods.

Commoditization, marketization and questions of “authenticity”

Tourism’s complex effects

- support for preservation of material cultural heritage (UNESCO’s 1972 definition)

Shanghai Nostalgia