Defining African Art History Essay Research Paper Coursework
After the synchronous lesson and watching the videos(the following links) and doing the required reading(it's in the files) in this module, please respond to the following questions:
1.What are some Western stereotypes (according to Peter Mark( the required reading)) that exist vis-à-vis "African art?"
2.What are some things that historians/people could do to reverse these stereotypical ideas about African art?
3.Based on what you know how (from the textbook reading, synchronous lesson, and videos), how would you identify/define African art now?
4.Is there an overall African stye?
Be sure to explain your perspectives thoroughly and clearly.
Videos' links:
Ethiopia's Churchs in the Sky: https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?t=2s&v=IJCy64adY3Y
Rock-hewn churches at Lalibela: https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=UDJcMayPxno
Festival at Djenne: https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=mH2d5mNzbpk
Kingdom of life: https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=JNmCg3nNi1U
The African Art
Student’s name
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Professor’s name
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Question one
Currently, African art has seized global attention but is still confounded with blood and death. The sub-Saharan sculptures are associated with dangerous practices and secret rituals. Although every human society has mysteries, specialized knowledge, and private customs, the western countries often brand African art with unspeakable practices associated with darkness. For example, the Bamana sculpture in Mali is related to the end of life. That is, for a Bamana-sculptor to carve specific masks, they must sacrifice the life of a family member. However, there is a cultural significance in most of the African sculptures. [CITATION Mar \l 1033 (Mark 1999) “Is There Such a Thing as African Art?"9] [CITATION Mar \l 1033 (Mark 1999) “Is There Such a Thing as African Art?"10]
Question two
Like any other culture globally, African sculptures have symbolic meaning well-known to Africans and only a few newcomers. As such, the historians of African art have an essential role to play in demystifying the subject of their inquiries. First, historians must maintain respect for human beings of the cultures they have chosen to study by honoring their secrecy wishes. Most western people hold stereotypes about African art due to the information they have been given. Second, historians have a role in promoting African sculpture in the global market. A perfect example is Guillaume and other like-minded individuals who have proposed new criteria for evaluating ...