Cultural Identification Captured by Art
INTRODUCTION: This exhibition will focus on three different regions as well as time periods. It will show each culture's unique way of living. I have chosen to use artwork from the Mayan, Japanese, and African cultures. There are many differences between the cultures, but there are also some similarities that can be analyzed through different artwork. I chose the Mayan culture because of how much it relates to my own heritage and history of my family. Some people make the assumptions that the Mayan people were ignorant or feeble minded, but when a person does some research they will soon find that it is the exact opposite. Technology was a little different, but extraordinary for the time these people were living in. The Palace, Palenque and the Bonampak Murals show some of the lifestyle and history of the Mayans, and also their intelligence. I chose the Japanese and African cultures for a different reason. Living in Los Angeles California gave me the opportunity to grow up around a diverse number of people. Of course, living in certain communities such as East Los Angeles you will grow up around similar cultures; but a person will always get an opportunity to experience different types of people. Japanese art has always fascinated me. The Horyu-ji Temple is a fascinating place with tons of history. It is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world ("Horyuji," 2017). Wooden sculptures and architecture are some of my favorite types of art. The "Roped Pot"by the people of Igbo Ukwu and the "Seated Figure" are both examples of the African culture. I am interested very much in the African art primarily because of how much we do not know about it due to racism and bigotry. The cultures in this exhibition share some similarities and some differences, but many of the different artworks show the rituals and traditions of these people. This exhibition will focus on some of these similarities and differences.