Interpretations of Art

 

Part 1

 

1.        I think that the cave artist is trying to represent their community which includes their environmental surroundings.  The painting is also trying to illustrate to other travelers that may be passing by and seeking shelter that this region is habitable. Some of these paintings may also serve as a warning to other civilizations or even their own community. In one of the paintings there is an animal present that looks like a bison and a human laying on the ground next to it. I interpreted the painting as a precaution not to get to close to this animal because there may be serious consequences. The painting in the caves also express their respect for nature. A lot of the illustrations have animals present.

2.        There are a lot of animals that are present in the painting because they are also native to the region. It was stated that 6,000 representations of animals are seen throughout the cave. Animals like horses, bison, a few bears and felines. It was also stated that humans are rare depicted in the drawings. One – two humans symbolized sanctuaries. The humans that rarely appeared in the paintings were of women.

3.        The Paleolithic people were very smart and resourceful. They displayed social advancement for early modern humans. They were able to create tools with surrounding materials to hunt and for their cave paintings. The colors they used in the painting were made from mineral origins like iron oxide, manages, lithic, etc. They would use the charcoal from wood to create the black “paint:”. They would make spears out of sharp rocks to help them hunt fish, bison, etc. In the exploration of the caves they also found evidence of shells that was believed to be used as jewelry. It is speculated that the jewelry was used for trade or as a sign of the movement of their groups.

4.        One challenge a painter might have faced with producing their art is the risk of their safely. What I mean by this is that the cave was very dark, they were unsure if they were stable. On top of being unsure of their stability there was also the possibility of them becoming pray. Some of the openings depicted in the video and pictures show a very narrow space. I’m also sure that the air quality and the temperature of the caves were not the same as being outside in the open. Another challenge that they might have faced in getting lost in the cave. I do not think they mapped out the cave like how is it broken up and divided today with different sections.

5.        Three possible functions this art may have served for them is as followed.

1.        The painting served as a preservation of their civilization’s history. They marked what they experienced living in that region. Any challenges or successes they had are marked in that cave.

2.        The paintings served as an expression of language. We have learned in previous chapter that language doesn’t necessarily need to be spoken words. There are many forms of languages.

3.        Another possibility is that they used it as a record keeping for seasonal changes. For example, during the spring they may have notices that the fish population sky rocked, and they were able to provide more fish as a meal, or maybe during the summer more bison were present. They might have also recorder temperature changes.

 

Part 2

 

Comparing Paleolithic populations to our modern-day art, I found a couple similarities. Paleolithic people would use their painting as storytelling for entertainment. They would story tell how they would hunt and do rituals. This is similar in today’s art because some artists gather their inspiration for their paintings, drawings from other cultures.

Symbolizes/ representation is another function that both Paleolithic and modern artist use to portray belief and emotions. Another common function is the use of innovation for materials. Back in the early ages they used rock, stones and caves. Modern art uses digital art, interactive artwork, clay, along with other materials. The Paleolithic’s set a footprint

that anything can become a canvas and you can use raw materials to express what you are feeling. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 3

 

The wonder of Jazz is a musical art that has peeked my interest. I like the way the rhythms sound. It makes me want to dance every single time. Unfortunately, I do not know how to swing.  Jazz was first invented in the late 19^th century, originated in New Orleans and Louisiana. Jazz was created by European harmony and African rhythmic. We began to see more African American influencing the music industry during the 1920s.  Jazz was a form of expression and reclamation of identity against racial prejudice. In addition to fighting racial prejudice, jazz opened a gateway for women to express themselves outside of their gender norms. Women that attended jazz clubs were labeled “Flapper girls.” Flapper girls would wear their hair pinned, wear short dress, smoke cigarettes and drink. Dancing and drinking to jazz were a statement of freedom and defiance.  In additional to the flapper girls, Mamie Smith was the first African American to record her vocals. The Jazz movement made this a possibility because of the great popularity and influence it had on sociality.  Jazz music helped shape the social atmosphere in the 1900s by creating optimist especially since it was after the war. The production of jazz music also provided economic growth during that time.  The music was energetic and vibrant that the sales of phonograph recording sky rocked. Jazz was eventually played throughout the states by various cultures.