Problem: Find commonalities and differences in spiritual costuming from separate cultures.
Context: All world cultures use art forms to express spiritual ideas and experiences. We know from our earlier work with symbolism that humans attach complex meaning to particular objects to better understand them. The symbols we use to summon these spirits extends to costume and decorations. Think of Halloween costumes or Mardi Gras and Carnival.
For all the fun and pageantry afforded by Halloween and Mardi Gras outfits, many cultures use traditional costumes and decoration more seriously. The vestments (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. used by Catholic priests have specific significance to spirituality and the importance of hierarchy within the church.
By contrast, the Asaro Mud Men (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. of New Guinea use costume to appropriate spirits and scare off enemies.
Process: Examine two images: Sitting Man with a Pink Face, New Guinea, by Irving Penn and Land of the Free #25 (Eddie Pratt as Cupid) by photographer David Graham. There are helpful links below about myth and spirit in tribal New Guinea. There are other links to the work of both David Graham and Irving Penn.
- Write a minimum, one - page, double spaced summary of comparisons and contrasts between the two images. Think about form, content and the symbolism of spirit. Refer to any cultural or stylistic differences you find.
- How are they the same?
- How are they different?
- What is the subject in each one?
- How does each picture represent the spirit world?
- Be specific and support your answers with cited information from the links provided below.
- Use the external links to find an artwork that expresses the spirit world. Any time period. Any medium. You'll find the external links in module 7 on the CANVAS course site.
- Document your selection with appropriate citation.
Images -
1. Irving Penn, Sitting Man with Pink Face, New Guinea, Photograph, 1970
2. David Graham, Eddie Pratt as Cupid, color photograph, c.1990
Attachment:- Assignment File.rar