Abstract The writer of this paper examines the biblical inspiration behind Durer's well known work of art. "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" are described in the "Book of Revelation," when the seven seals of the book are broken. The woodcut carving depicts four mounted men on an apparent mission of destruction. As the seals are broken, a white, red, and black horse subsequently appear, followed by a pale horse. This paper explores the various interpretations of Durer's carving. According to one commentator, the first white horseman is interpreted as Christ while another sees him as a false prophet. The writer illustrates certain aspects of this particular work of art, by clearly describing three of the powerful riders on their white, red and black horses galloping in the forefront of the carving, while the skeletal horse with the skeletal rider is evident in the background. The writer contends that Durer clearly understood and internalized the images detailed in the text, which resulted in his poignant and accurate depiction, that continues to yield a powerful and eerie resonance to this day.
From the Paper "In the print, three of the powerful riders on their white, red, and black horses gallop at the forefront of the work. The white horses' rider holds a bow and wears a medieval, peaked hat towards the background, the caped red horse's rider wields a sword, and nearest the foreground the black horse's rider is bareheaded, holding a scale. The skeletal horse with the skeletal man is evidently the pale horse's rider. The specificity of the artist illustrates that Durer knew the Biblical text's images quite intimately and wished to transcribe them in fairly accurate detail. However, the artist translates these images of war, pestilence, famine, and death into medieval terms of his own era-the warrior's crown of the white horse's rider is clearly of the artist's age, as is the garb of the second rider, and the small metal scales held by the third are similar to that of a medieval apothecary, used in weighing grain with weights."
This paper discusses the documentary film, "Carved in Silence", directed by Felicia Lowe, about the Chinese Exclusion Act and the subsequent incarceration of the Chinese immigrants on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.
Abstract This paper explains that the documentary film, "Carved in Silence", indicates how poorly America treated Chinese immigrants and how desperately these people wanted to live and work in America. The author points out that the film uses interviews of survivors of Angel Island, workers on the island, and modern-day reenactments to depict the plight of the Chinese immigrants who were forced to stay on Angel Island until their immigration papers were either approved or disapproved. The paper stresses the immeasurable historical value of this documentary, which should be a part of every American history class, because today Angel Island is a California State Park, and most visitors have no idea what really happened there.
From the Paper "The documentary is short, only 45 minutes or so, but it presents a vast amount of information in that short time. The interviews of people who stayed on Angel Island are quite compelling, but the documentary also uses modern day footage as historic recreations of what life was like on the island, from what the detainees ate, to how they wiled away the long, isolated hours. Some played games, some read, and some wrote poetry, which they carved into the wooden walls of the stark barracks. Many of these poems, "carved in silence," remain in the barracks today, and there is a concerted effort to save them for posterity and for Angel Island visitors to understand and view. The documentary ends with a review of what happened to immigrants after the Exclusion Act was lifted by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, and how Chinese still distrust Americans because of these early practices."
Tags: interview, reenactment, isolated, barracks, value
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the temple of Pharaoh Ramesses I built by his son Seti I. Some of the areas discussed include the Temple of Osiris and its significance in history. Special attention is given to the figures carved into the walls of the temple, as they are examined in detail in order to give us a better understanding of their importance in Ramesses life and times. The hieroglyphics found on the walls are also detailed and analyzed.
From the Paper "The largest figure is Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, with a falcon head. He holds an ankh, in one hand, which is a sacred representation of life, often associated with Isis and Osiris. Some call it "the original cross." (Okara, 2001). He also holds up his hand as if to protect his father. Horus ruled the world of the living, so he's here to watch over the living as they give their gifts to his father. Horus is larger than the cult figures of Osiris, but there are two figures of Osiris, and only one Horus, which again brings out Osiris' dominance."
Abstract The discovery and the cataloging of the distribution and significance of the Sheela-na-gig and other architectural antiquities through the Irish Ordinance Survey place the interpretation of these sculptures and carvings in an exciting but problematic light. The purpose of this paper, which investigates some of the problematics of the origins of the Sheela-na-gig's, is to flesh out the central aspects of the Celtic heritage of these figures and to provide a basis for more in-depth discussion of various aspects. The focus is the historical heritage and the way in which this debate impacts the interpretation of the meaning and significance of the figures.
Outline
Introduction: The Problem of Historical Heritage
Early Discoveries and the Irish Ordinance Survey
George Petrie: Antiquarianism and Cultural Nationalism
The Importance of Petrie's Influence
Fethard and the Kiltinan Sheela-na-gig
Patterns of Interpretation
From the Paper "The origins and antecedents of the Sheela-na-gig are steeped in antiquity. One prevailing view is that these figures relate to the pre-Christian or Pagan heritage of Europe. There is also general agreement that the statues can be seen as part of the stratified accumulation of religious history, with the Christian religion as the latest strata or overlay of the religious and pagan history of the region. This would also imply that the transition from pagan to Christian was not strict and clearly demarcated, with the result that many pagan figures and symbols were retained within the Christian context. Joan Marler verifies this point."
Abstract This paper discusses how Brancusi is one of the defining figures of twentieth-century sculpture, and one of its most seminal artists. The paper looks at how the sculpture "Blond Negresse", created within 1926 to 1933, is one example of how his revolutionary carvings introduced abstraction and primitivism to modern sculpture. It also examines Brancusi's complex relationship with the tradition of artistic classicism that shaped him and which considered sculpture with highest form of artistic expression.
From the Paper "Taking a look at Brancusi's first steps as a sculptor confirm that he took his classical heritage very seriously, that he in no way undertook it simply as an academic exercise that had been imposed upon him. Brancusi's intense re-workings of Hellenistic sculpture are evident in his first Parisian works: Sleeping Child (1906-7), Torment (1907), The Kiss(1907-8), Sleep (1908), and Torso (1909-10). Many models from the past have been proposed for these works, as well as contacts with the work of his contemporary Rodin. "Sidney Geist, for example, suggested that Torso may possibly have been inspired by a similar element in a painting by Cezanne, a feasible hypothesis since Brancusi's attitude to classicism is very similar to Cezanne's. "
Abstract This paper presents a description of the Red Figure Amphora, dating back to 440-430 B.C. The author examines the mythological paintings and carvings depicted on the amphora, and includes information provided by the legend displayed next to the artwork in the museum. The essay also analyzes the various techniques used in drawing, painting and carving, and goes into great detail about the Greek mythological story of the goddess Demeter and her daughter, Persephone, the subject of the artwork. The paper includes pictures of the amphora.
From the Paper "The Eleusinian Mysteries, held annually in honor of Demeter and Persephone, were the most sacred and revered of all the ritual celebrations of ancient Greece . They were instituted in the city of Eleusis , some twenty-two kilometers west of Athens , possibly as far back as the early Mycenaean period, and continued for almost two thousand years. Large crowds of worshippers from all over Greece (and later, from throughout the Roman Empire ) would gather to make the holy pilgrimage between the two cities and participate in the secret ceremonies, generally regarded as the high point of Greek religion. As Christianity began to spread, the Mysteries were condemned by the early Church fathers; yet the rites continued for hundreds of years more and exercised considerable influence on the formation of early Christian teachings and practices."
Abstract A paper which discusses Jonathan Spence's book "God's Chinese Son: The Chinese Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan" about Chinese Christian missionary Hong Xiuquan who led the Taiping "Great Peace" Rebellion in a bid to gain power over China's major cities and succeeded in seizing Nanjing in 1853. By examining Spence's book, the paper delves into questions such as: What is the nature of Christianity and how should the missionary movement conduct itself in foreign lands? How did the Taiping Rebellion affect geopolitical forces, in China and abroad? Did the Taiping Rebellion carve the way for the Communist revolution in the following century? What does it mean to have a religious conviction and apply it with military force?
From the Paper "Christianity already had its claws in Asia by the 1840s, as did Western trade interests. China's Qing dynasty faced serious challenges to its integrity as it pondered the course of the nation's future. Protestant missionaries that had flourished in the 19th century began to distribute, on a large scale, religious tracts and Chinese-language Bibles. The impact of these missionaries and their publications might not have been foreseen by the Qing dynasty, which already had begun to splinter. It is within this chaotic and semi-stable environment, coupled with the personal stress of continuously failing his Confucian exams, that Hong Xiuquan had his spiritual visions."
Tags: Confucian Heavenly Father, Mother, and Elder Brother demon-devils Emperor Sir George Bonham
Abstract The following paper discusses the way in which the county in Michigan is the chief unit for local government. The writer examines how the county is dependent on and subordinate to the state government in a way that the states are not to the federal government. This paper asserts that states are independent entities that have come together in a union and agreed to certain rules for all, while counties are carved out of the territory of the state. Thus the writer argues that the counties are not analogous to states except in that they are divisions of the whole.
From the Paper "Michigan was the first of the states after the Civil War to model its capitol building after the Capitol in Washington, and the government of the state is also modeled after the form of the federal government. That government has undergone renovations several times in this century which have affected its appearance and function somewhat without altering its basic structure. For instance, Michigan state government is divided into three branches--executive, legislative and judicial--each with separate and clearly defined powers, just as with the federal government. These branches and their separate and exclusive powers have been delineated in each of the state's four constitutions, written in 1835, 1850, 1908, and 1963. The most recent was adopted by the people April 1, 1963 by a vote of 810,860 to 803,436 (Michigan in Brief: 199899)."
Abstract Home Depot is now as much a household name as McDonald's because of the presence of its stores nationwide. This paper introduces the retail giant which specializes in home improvement products and services and has been able to carve a niche for itself in a relatively short period of time. This paper focuses on Home Depot's various activities and operations and studies its achievements along with major current problems.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Abstract
Company Profile
Chart 1 (Growth In Hd Stores)
Chart 11 (Hd Market Share)
Conclusion
Recommendations
References
From the Paper "Home Depot Inc. opened its first store in 1978 under the leadership of Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus. Both leaders have since then remained with the company as board of directors, only retiring as CEOs in 2001 after it was believed that Home Depot has reached a point in its evolution where it badly needed the services of a person with fresh ideas. The company has been more than just successful as in a short span of time, it made its presence felt nationwide and also in the immediate neighborhood by adopting the strategy of rapid expansion. 'Home Depot' is the largest retailer of home improvement goods and has divided its products in various categories so as to cater to the needs of all kind of customers. Home Depot is recognized as the "Orange" Company because of its orange-colored logo. This has proved to be a successful marketing strategy as people in every part of the country can recognize that logo and thus home depot has now become a household name. "
Tags: homeware, improvement, store, market, strategy, business, development
Abstract This paper explores the current position of the gay and lesbian population in American society. The writer attempts to explore the culture and understand how spaces and territories are established. The writer also discusses the differences in social lives of gays and lesbians.
From the Paper "America's gay and lesbian populations have come a long way in recent decades. They are far less apt to remain in the closet than in days gone by and they are much more open about their lifestyle than they had been in the past. The gay and lesbian community worked hard to carve out niches in urban society including hang outs, social functions and other rights of passage that are an automatic given for the straights of the nation.
?The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a growing sensitization on the part of mainstream society to the issues of gay and lesbian liberation(Voigt, 1999). Though the questions of gays in the military and gay marriage remain controversial, a number of gay issues been resolved, even on the civic level."
Tags: liberation, closet, homosexual, marriage, AIDS
From the Paper "Most colonial furniture was the product of the settlers' practical need for the basics of existence. On their arrival the first colonists had to cope with the problems of survival and the difficulties of the voyage had allowed them to bring very few of their possessions along. At first they were unable to concern themselves with any but the most basic uses of "time and precious human resources" and furniture makers' skills were needed elsewhere. But they did carry with them their "deeply embedded habits, customs and tastes" and the "old forms and the tools needed to make them were reproduced virtually unchanged and persisted long after they had been abandoned 'back home'" and were to be the basis of new, specifically American versions of European furniture styles. Within the broad field of colonial furniture styles it is possible to select a few topics that..."
Abstract This paper examines the art, form and traits of the carved marble female figures attributed to the Schuster Master whose real name is unknown and is identified only by the style of his work. It shows how these remarkable pieces dating back to 2400 BCE and sculpted in marble serve as reminders of the evolution of ancient Greek art and all have a prominent, linear nose, a curvaceous forehead and hints of pregnancy in the belly. The Schuster Master may have intended simply to convey the power of pregnancy or of the female spirit but Cycladic art is deceptively minimalist and original pieces, painted and decorated have exhibited the sophisticated understanding of the artist for his media.
From the Paper "However, the model's arms are tightly crossed and drawn across her torso. This pose is reposed, relaxed, resolute, and refined. The folded arms form a square that balances perfectly with the otherwise cylindrical nature of the statue. The elbows are pointy, perhaps suggesting a stubborn nature. This is no pushover. The Cycladic woman sticks to her guns; she is an effective leader. Her decisions are final, evident by her stoic stance. The artist's lack of detail in depicting her form also indicates a lack of frivolity in the female personality."
Abstract This paper examines the life of the German painter Edvard Munch and his influence on German Expressionism. It analyzes how the death and disease that is so much part of Edvard Munch's art was a natural consequence of the time in which he lived and the painful circumstances of his personal life. It shows how he was able to take this pain and grief and synthesize it into art and revolutionized the way visual arts were perceived. Not satisifed with the range that canvas and oil gave him, Munch turned to more innovative technique in an effort to create art that could be reproduced so he carved wood blocks and working closely with printers developed lithographic techniques that changed the way art is made.
From the Paper "Like the paintings of the Impressionists -- especially the Post Impressionists -- Munch used tremendously bold strokes and very aggressively attacked the canvas, often scratching and etching the dry paint and applying layer after layer of thick paint in unnatural colors. Filmmaker Peter Watkins in a docu-drama film on the life of Munch does an amazing job of catching this process on film. (Watkins online) The often-sickly Munch, attacked the canvas with the same sort of physical intensity as the more robust Gaugain but of course for different effect."
Abstract Discusses aesthetic sophistication of Bamun peoples of Fumban (historical capital of Bamun Kingdom) in Cameroon. Social and culture complexity of the people. Linguistic diversity. History of the various ethnic groups. Religioius beliefs & influence of European Missions & Colonization. Artwork. Works of Bamun artisans (Carving, weaving, embroidery, metalworking, leatherworking, pottery).
From the Paper "This paper takes as its point of departure a figure standing 63 inches tall crafted of wood, textile, glass beads, cowrie shells and brass in the late 19th century by the Bamum peoples of Fumban in the Grassfields region of Cameroon (85-8-1, gift of Evelyn A.J. Hall and John Friede, on display at the National Museum of African Art). The complex symbolism and beautiful artisanship of this piece provide a sense of the social and cultural complexity of this people and the aesthetic sophistication of the group.
Cameroon is often described as a "racial crossroads" because of its more than 200 different ethnic groups, although this linguistic wealth can in fact be simplified to some extent because almost all of the languages can be divided into three main linguistic groups: the Bantu-speaking people of the south, the ..."
Abstract This paper tries to explore the exploitation of sex in advertising and is broken down into sections involving, men, women and children. It defines what exploitation is and tries to determine the limits of what advertisers can use before it becomes pornography. It looks at how the exploitation of sex and women in advertising has been going on as as early as the mid 1400s in wood carved signs on store fronts and how the exploitation of men as "beefcakes" has been more recent. It discusses how the biggest criticisms are the exploitations of prepubescent children in advertising. Picture examples of different advertisements are included.
Outline
Thesis
The Basics
Nudity
Prevalent Through the 90s
Changing Attitudes Towards Women
Conclusion
Figures
References
From the Paper "Voices, whether male or female are chosen to convey a specific message to an intended market. The when choosing a orator, a determination needs to be made initially whether the ad is being portrayed as coming from an announcer or a spokesperson. A spokesperson must portray the part of an actual user of the good or service, where, as the announcer must have an authoritative intonation. Announcers are primarily men, because of the deeper voices that exude authority. Although one study (Frieden 1984) showed that there was not a significant difference in the effect of having a male or female voice, rather that men are usually chosen as announcers more out of habit than necessity. Many times advertisers and companies will use celebrity voice-overs or celebrity spokespersons in commercials because of the recognition of their voices without having to see the person. The best example of this is James Earl Jones (AT&T) or William Shattner (Priceline.com). Both of these men have very distinct and recognizable voices that demand high salaries for this type of work. "
