Art as a Culture

 

1. Functions of Early Art:

1a. What were the cave artists trying to say?

            The cave artists were trying to express themselves through the use of art (in a cave). The artists saw animals as priority in their culture and therefore many of the paintings included that type of art. The art was supposed to show their lives and therefore through the use of art they told stories. The drawings on the cave are a little more than just drawings. They tell simply stories of themselves and their surrounding. The Man and Bird drawing is a good example of a simple part of life in a drawing. Although it may be a harsh drawing, since the bison “appears to be about to charge, or perhaps is preparing to charge again” towards the human. There is a hooked sign that may be a throwing stick probably used by the human to tell the overall story of hunting.

1b. Why do you think that there were so many animals and not as many people in the paintings?

            I think that there were so many animals and not as many people in the paintings because at that time animals were more important. In other words  they believed that people are going to die, but animals and the land will always be around. Since animals played a big part in their culture, I do believe that is why they animals were also a big part to art. During this time herds of game animals were dying out or moving away to the north. Drawing/ painting these animals (bears, lions, and other predators) could way of taking their ferociousness and skill to increase human hunting  success.

1c. What can the paintings tell us about other aspects of the life of cave dwellers or Paleolithic people?

            As stated before, art is a way of expressing one’s self and expressing one’s self could be through feelings or even just their own culture. Paleolithic people were hunter and gatherers and therefore expressed that through their art. The drawings of animals on the wall signified those animals they crossed paths with, either hunted by the people or the people attacked by the animals. “With cave art, we see the first large scale, concrete symbols of human thoughts, feelings, and perhaps even beliefs about the supernatural.” Paleoanthropologists believed that the artists were most likely performing sympathetic (or imitative) hunting and fertility magic.

1d. What difficulties did these early humans navigate in order to paint these pictures?

            There were several difficulties that these early humans navigated in order to paint these pictures. The caves paintings were painted deep inside the caves where it was hard to get to dark areas. Also the tools and paint itself were harder to get then just going to a store and buying them. They had to create their tools and paints themselves. Some of the drawings were high up and therefore making it a challenge to reach a certain part of the cave.

1e. Speculate as to three (3) possible functions of this art to early humans.

            *Some of the art may have been associated with ceremonies.

            *The art might have been a way to believe in something bigger. In other words, as stated before, drawings of predator animals was a way to protect themselves from them and to obtain their skill to increase hunting.

            *The possible function of this art could have been a way of expression (to tell stories, and to communicate.)

2. Commonalities in Function:

Compare the possible functions of the art from the Lascaux Caves to modern art, in all of its various forms. What are some commonalities in function you can find in how the art of early humans and modern humans?

            There are some possible similarities of functions in the art from the Lascaux Caves to modern art. First of all, art was, is, and most likely will forever be a way through an art form. Lascaux Cave art told stories, which I feel modern art does as well. “A picture is worth a thousand words” and that is the truth. A picture can be interpreted in various ways and both the cave art and modern art has that. Just like cave art, modern art can express religion and other mythological aspects. Art can also be around for generations to come and therefore pass down all types of stories (religion, mythological, cultural, etc.).

3. Introduce Us to Your Favorite Art:

3a. For those who practice this form of artistic expression, what function does it serve? What are they trying to communicate?

            My favorite type of art form is film. Film has a range of possibilities. In other words, it can be a form of a way to get information, it can make you laugh, cry, etc. It can teach you about the past and give you possibilities about the future. It can be based on a true story or completely made up. The film I personally chose is one of my favorites, The Pursuit of Happyness. The film is based on a true story. Not only does it invite you into someone else’s life, but also it gives you a life lesson through it.

3b. Is there a complete culture surrounding this art for,. i.e., a language, a set of behaviors, form of dress, etc.? Describe and identify the features of this culture.

            There is a complete culture surrounding this art form. Most people copy what is seen on the movie screen, that is their way of dressing, the way they speak, and the way they act. As generations of film go by, so does the generation of culture. There was a time when people dressed in corsets in film and at the time people copied that. In films now a days there are people that wear suits (just like in this movie) and that is also portrayed in culture. There was a time when films based the story lines on men being superior to women and those were the behaviors of the people during that time. Today, we see women in films with more power and I believe that has an effect on the everyday women (not only women, but also different ethnicity).

3c. How does this art form (and its culture) benefit society? Are there any detrimental affects?

            Film art and its culture benefits society and can cause some detrimental affects. As stated before it can teach people about the past allowing us to learn from that and became a better, stronger society. Film takes away from your current situation and allows you to enter a different world for some hours. Film can make you laugh and cry, allowing you to express those feelings. It is a way to spend your leisure time in a positive way. Although there are several good aspects of film, there are also bad ones. Film allows people to express themselves through negative thoughts as well. Films can cause controversy since there is no extreme filter to it. Since film is based on someone’s thought, it is also based on their opinion and opinions that not everyone agrees with.