As I pulled up to the Yale University Art Gallery and struggled to find a parking space as I was unfamiliar with the area, I thought, yet another magnificent building to have a museum in. Museums are fun buildings to visit because unlike other establishments, there is a lot of thought put into making the building just as interesting on the outside as it is on the inside. As my boss and I walked inside and attempted to pay for our admission, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was free to visit. We then ventured through the four floors of the building. The gallery that caught my attention the most was the African art. When I was at the Met I briefly walked through their African art collection but due to the sheer size of the Met I wasn
’t able to appreciate it then as I was able to here at Yale. The pieces were unusual and remarkable.
African art typically depicts the human form as its subject matter for the pieces.
The art is based on visual abstraction and is typically created in a three dimensional shape. I think what I find the most interesting is that Africans use their art for several purposes. As I walk through and view the items I am amazed at how many of them serve more than one objective. The masks and costumes aren’t just viewed and appreciated for the craftsmanship and talent they can be used during many different events that can include: celebrations, initiations, ceremonies, dances, war preparation, and crop harvesting.
This particular costume just grabbed me as I walked into the gallery. At the moment I saw this, I just wanted to go back to the time and place where someone was parading around in this outfit. You don’t find ceremonies or celebrations anywhere around here where someone would dress up in this, except maybe on Halloween! The caption about this piece indicates that it is from the early 20th century and is made of wood, feathers, textile, hide, cloth, fiber, pigment, and metal and is 77 inches high. It origins are from the Loma or Kpelle people of the border of Liberia and Guinea. It isn’t known if the mask belongs to the costume but this attire would have been worn during a dance of some sort.
The masks of African art usually represent a spirit and are made mainly of wood but can also include ivory, animal hair, plant fibers, and semi-precious stones among other material found in the area. A person is designated to wear the mask during the particular event and usually performs a dance. It is believed the person who is wearing the mask during the dance is possessed by the spirit of the ancestor the mask represents.
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African art dates back some 6,000 years ago to the rock art found in the Sahara. The art usually depicted the surrounding nature including animals, plant life, or other items found in the environment. However, many old African sculptures that were made of wood have not survived either the termites or the dampness and were destroyed.
This particular sculpture gave me a chill; it reminded me of a voodoo doll. As I read the caption I realize that although this figure may be related to the voodoo practices it dates back to the 19th century and is made of wood, iron, cloth, mirror, leopard tooth, fiber and porcelain. It is 18 inches in height and it known as a Kongo Nkisi figure. These sculptures were said to be owned by priest who add to the figure with nails or metal shims. These nails that are driven into the figure serve a purpose. Each nail driven into the figure represents a case that was brought on regarding murders or other heinous crimes. The violence of driving a nail in is supposed to parallel the associated crime and balance out the occurrence of the crime. It’s a little confusing and bizarre idea that violating this figure would even out crime but nonetheless, I thought it was interesting.African art, especially African masks are exceptional wor
ks of art that serve a very interesting purpose. Colonialism caused many changes to African life, culture, and traditions which have resulted in many people there losing their original African ties of rituals and ceremonies and thus the masks are no longer commonly used.African art takes great imagination, creativity, and talent. It is a form of art that goes somewhat unre
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cognized and it is great to see such a large display here at the Yale Art Gallery. I am grateful that I had the ability to appreciate African art.work cited:
www.rebirth.co.za/african.htm
www.artgallery.yale.edu
www.artgallery.yale.edu
3 comments:
I can agree with you on the fact of the Met being so large and there being a lot more stuff to see there. It really is hard to appreciate the art there when there are soo many people as well!
The Art gallery at Yale is smaller and allows you more appreciation to the art. I enjoyed reading your blog about the African art. I don't remember sing the "voodoo" like doll, but it was very interesting to read!
Art gives us an appreciation for other peoples cultures and gives us a better understanding in their beliefs!
What a statement to say the outside is as interesting as the inside, it's so cool to see how the benefactors of each museum want the shell to look like. I love how they're all different. The African Art at Yale, for some reason, just sucks you right in. I didn't want to leave that room, everything has so much meaning and really feel like each piece is telling you a story. It sounds like we all agree that this display is very special. What a pleasure to read about your trip!
A really good piece of writing. You have captured the spirit of what I intended for this class perfectly. I am so pleased with the quality of your work.
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