Abstract The paper explains the importance of Geisha to the Japanese culture. The paper explains that Geisha means "a person of the arts" and the typical geisha was adept in flower arranging, calligraphy, music, dance, and the unique Japanese tea ceremony. The paper describes the art exhibit that will include the Kimono traditional clothing, Ikebana (flower arranging) and Japanese calligraphy. The paper relates that visitors to the art exhibition will leave with a clear understanding of geisha's striking contrast with the reserved nature of the regular Japanese culture. The paper includes images of the Kimono clothing, flower arranging and Japanese calligraphy.
Outline:
GeishaArtDisplay The Art Pieces
Kimono
Ikebana
Calligraphy
From the Paper "To understand the importance of Geisha to the Japanese culture as well as its significance within that culture, one must first understand Japanese culture. Within Japan the Japanese language epitomizes the culture with its emphasis on order and structure while such aspects as clothing, epitomized by the kimono which means literally "something that is worn" are widely seen within the culture as the ideal of Japanese garments (Sugimoto 43). Additionally, Japanese culture takes art forms such as painting, wood block prints, and especially calligraphy based on Chinese characters and makes of them a highly stylized, abstract art form. Yet, Japanese are, in their daily lives, quite reserved and adhere to strict social mores regarding behavior, speech, and a high regard for social order (Sugimoto 14). Thus, it can be imagined that where the typical historical Japanese woman might be reserved and less forward in not wanting to bring attention to herself geisha became a highly stylized representation of the Japanese woman. That is, without the social constraints of folkway and mores that barred traditional Japanese women from self-expression, geisha might be thought of as the unconscious expression of how many women, and men, conceived them to be."
Abstract This paper examines the ethnography of the Japanese Geisha. Additionally, it highlights many subtopics of the Geisha culture such as history and training, customers and skills, fashion, and modern-day and western influences. The paper includes an annotated bibliography with descriptions of sources used.
History of the Geisha Culture
Becoming a Geisha Geisha Talents and Those Who Enjoy Them
Geisha Appearance
Modern-Day Geisha and Western Influence
Conclusion
From the Paper "Geisha hair, Geisha makeup, Geisha grace: Geisha is a pleasing profession envied by women and adored by men. She is a living work of art; a doll adorned in satins and silks. Her entrance anywhere has movie star status and everyone wishes to be a part of her world: the flower and willow world. The Geisha profession is a time-honored tradition that has gradually changed into its own intricate culture. In this essay, I will explore the various complexities and mysteries of the Geisha culture by addressing the following areas: Geisha history, training, talents and customers, traditional dress, and Geisha in the modern world. I will clarify any misconceptions one may have about this beautiful and mysterious culture."
Tags: ancient, culture, ethnographic, ethnography, geisha, japan, japanese
Abstract This paper examines how prehistoric cave art is considered to be man's original form of art, although its date of origin is still unknown. It looks at how, with examples, the artdisplays the effects of the cultures and surroundings that created them. It discusses how the cave art found in Europe and Africa depicts the prehistoric conception of animals, humans, symbols and weapons and how there are many differences and commonalities between the art found in both areas.
From the Paper "The cave paintings in Linton are considered to be only 11,000 years old, as opposed to Apollo 11. The cave shelter located in Linton on the Eastern Cape of Africa contains a painting of that illustrates the experiences of healers or shaman, calling on supernatural powers. Human figures are clearly defined. The shaman has hooves, as if taking on the shape of an animal in order to connect to the spiritual world. White dots are used to represent spiritual power. Strange features are also assigned to other animals and humans present during the trance in the painting, using white dashes. Animals in the painting appear to have mismatched body parts, such as a snake with an antelope head."
Abstract This paper discusses "Changing Hands", an art review of a major Native American art exhibit at the American Craft Museum by critic David Revere McFadden. It opens with an overview of the exhibit itself and its highlights. The review, and the critic's "authority" to report on the exhibit are then discussed. Finally, there is a commentary of the effect the critic's piece has upon one's desire to view the exhibit.
From the Paper "Changing Hands, the exhibit features several art forms of Native America. The artists who have displayed their work have given examples of both traditional and more contemporary pieces ? for example a reconstructed earthenware vessel of the type that might have been used centuries ago for water or other liquids. The several art forms shown by the Changing Hands exhibit include wool rug and vegetable dye; gold bracelet work inlaid with larimar, lapis lazuli,sugulited, shell, coral, obsidian and opal; earthenware sculpture; an acrylic collage on wood; glass and copper vase; cottonwood root sculpture; leather beltwork of silver, coral, turquoise, and serpentine; coral necklace with gold and pearls; pendants of gold, wood, silver, coral, turquoise, opal, shell, and lapis lazuli; earthenware canteens and jugs; hinged silver buckles; earthenware tiles of sand, copper, and oil on a wooden panel; sand media on wood."
This paper analyzes the controversial issue of censorship in the fields of art and entertainment and the U.S. government's role in deciding what should and should not be showed to the public.
Abstract The writer of this paper explores the age-old issue of censorship, which has been a problem for artists since ancient times when Michelangelo was admonished to paint fig leaves on his nude figures. This paper discusses how censorship continues in America today while stating that there are certain parties and groups who would abolish any public displays of artwork that they find offensive or immoral. This well-researched and informative paper delves into the legal and moral aspects of censorship and also cites several court cases on this particular subject.
From the Paper "One recent and shocking example of censorship occurred on September 29th of this year in Washington D.C. The Senate unanimously voted to approve a measure that stated that the federal government should hold back funds from the Brooklyn Museum of Art. While this measure does not necessarily affect federal monies, it expresses the extreme opinion of the Senate and paves the way for lawmakers' future justifications for freezing funding to the Museum. At the core of this controversy is an exhibit entitled "Sensation," part of a British show which features a picture of the Virgin Mary smeared with feces."
Abstract The writer of this paper centers on the fields of Far East and Near East art also known as Orientalist art. This paper presents figures and facts pertaining to the genre of Orientalist art from the auction houses of Christie' and Sotheby's as well as others. This well-researched paper discusses the general status of the art industry, while also delving into current trends. This paper examines how the 9/11 terror attacks caused sales and prices in the art industry to drastically fall around the world. This paper discusses the published reports that claim that even prior to 9/11 the art market was showing signs of slowing down. This paper contains published statistics and data pertinent to the art market in general while also presenting 6 illustrated charts and graphs relevant to this particular topic.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
General Art Market Analysis
Orientalist Art Market Analysis
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Luckily, the art market was able to rebound quite quickly, despite challenges in other sectors. "After the tragedy of September 11th, the art market has consistently trumped the performance of sluggish equities markets" ("Art investment", 2003). For this reason, the art market, in general, has seen a resurgence, despite the downturn attributed to September 11th. However, not all is smooth sailing for the industry. This was evidenced just prior to perhaps one of the largest events in the art market history was the sale of artwork collected by the late Malcolm Forbes. Forbes was an obsessive collector. From Faberge eggs to Orientalist paintings, Forbes collection grew for more than three decades. 361 pieces of art, from this lifetime of collecting went under the hammer at Christie's in London, in 2003."
Abstract This paper discusses how the human body has always been a constant subject in art and in particular western art from the ancient times. This essay examines the various ways in which the body was represented in art from ancient to modern times. Many great pieces of art have had the nude as their theme, or at least contained nudes. The nude is often the subject of art but can also be considered an art form. The paper also looks at the nude as a subject of art and how notions of gender differences, desire and identity reflected on the female nudity in art.
Abstract This paper analyzes Martin Heidegger's definition of art. The author claims that the origin of art is created from some form of activity on the part of the artist, whether it be creating a painting, song, sculpture or poetry. This paper focuses on Van Gogh's painting "A Pair of Shoes" and describes Heidegger's view of this particular work of art as well as his perception of the artist. The writer of this paper questions whether the artist creates the art or if art in fact creates the artist. This paper also discusses the significance of technology and nature in any work of art while describing Heidegger's definition of the 'thing' needed when creating art.
From the Paper "After mentioning the artist, Heidegger begins to question what the artist is. We must question then if the work is what makes the artist, or is it the artist that makes the work. He tells us that the artist is the source of the work, and the work is the source of the artist. Both the work and the artist depend on each other, and one of them cannot exist without the other. Both the artist and work are related to a thing that comes before each, and that is what Heidegger calls art. If artist and work are both dependent on each other to be the source of the other, so do to both depend on art as their source. Heidegger asks if art can be a source of a work of an artist. Heidegger then claims that art is nothing more than a collective noun that signifies nothing now."
Tags:art, book, literature, van, gogh, painting, poetry, technology, review, perception
Abstract This essay gives the historical and social background of modern art, explains the general ways that modernist work can be seen as uniquely different from art that came before, and looks at two specific examples of modern art's radically different approach. It clearly defines modern art and explains the foundations and philosophy behind art of the past hundred and fifty years.
From the Paper "When defining and discussing modern art, it is first important to clarify exactly what the term means. Modern art refers primarily to painting, sculpture, and architecture created since the blossoming of technology and modern society. In broader historical thinking, the word modern refers to that time after the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery, however, the modern art movement is generally agreed to have been between the 1860s and 1970s. Like many discussions about art history, these dates are subjective. Painting, sculpture, and architecture from this period of history are called "modern" or ?modernist.? For many art historians, modern art began with the work of Edward Manet. Manet was one of the first impressionists and modern artists, those who reacted to the very formal and rigid style of painting done inside studios and set by traditional institutions in the nineteenth century. Modernism ended with the start of what many refer to as "post-modernism" in the 1960s and 1970s. This essay will give the historical and social background of modern art, explain the general ways that modernist work can be seen as uniquely different from art that came before, and look at two specific examples of modern art's radically different approach to painting. When compared to Renaissance and other western "traditional art" up to the late nineteenth century, it will be seen that modernism was a totally new paradigm for art."
Abstract This paper explains that Barbara Kruger and the Guerrilla Girls have taken traditional methods of art application and placed them within the normative modes of advertising methods. The author points out that inter-disciplinary arts, which are more than just an art technique, has become a public forum for feminist issues. The paper relates that, by opening the doors to the way that art is perceived, both Kruger and the Guerrilla Girls have taken art out of the traditional confines of museums and art houses and into modern media formats.
From the Paper "This art analysis presents an inter-disciplinary study of the art and advertising methods of Barbara Kruger and the Guerrilla Girls. By taking various examples of advertising billboards, magazine ads and other forms of art used within the modern media, an inter-disciplinary mode of art is created through the work of these artists. Through the study of the work of both Barbara Kruger and the Guerrilla Girls, one can realize the feminism and cultural impact of mixed mediums within modern inter-disciplinary art."
Abstract The paper examines the reasons Ortega y Gasset provides to explain his belief that traditional art is true art and modern art is just a work of art. The paper argues against Ortega y Gasset's assertions with the belief that his opinions do not take into account the natural progression of the art form.
From the Paper "Jose Ortega y Gasset describes what he observes as the "emergence of a new artistic sensibility"(87) in his 1925 essay, "The Dehumanization of Art." His observations in light of "avant-garde" literature, art and theater are compared to his subjective thoughts on the traditional forms of art in poetry, theater and visual art. He argues that traditional art is the "true art" form; whereas, modern art is just art for the sake of art. I disagree with Ortega y Gasset's argument because it is now 2006 and his opinions, although respected, do not take into account the natural progression of the art form."
Abstract This paper looks at the effect that the printing press had in the spread of art and culture through the eyes of Walter Benjamin in Samuel Weber's essay, "Art, Aura and the Work of Walter Benjamin." Whereas Benjamin felt that mass reproduction was bad for the art world, he argues that the invention of the printing press allowed books to be read all over the world thereby changing the uniqueness of each painting. This paper also takes a look at the Mona Lisa, and explains that the ability to reproduce it is a positive thing, that, even though it's "aura," is no longer unique, many more people are now able to experience art.
From the Paper "With the invention of the printing press, however, books could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, and were available to great number of people. Two people living hundreds of miles apart could read the same book and find the same words, the same illustrations on the same page. However, the printing press also took something away from books - the originality and artistry that the monks had poured into each unique volume. Walter Benjamin would say that the aura of the monks' volumes was withering away, while the aura of the mass reproduced books was flourishing."
Abstract This paper shows how art is an important part of education that is dying in many public schools. The writer examines how budget cuts often shift priorities to basic subjects leaving children without a formal art education. The paper states that art is a valuable tool that teaches children to communicate and also augments the learning process in subjects such as mathematics and language. Many studies have found that when children are exposed to art, it has valuable effects on their learning process.
From the Paper "When implemented in public schools, art helps raise self-confidence while creating problem solving skills and communication. Unlike math and reading, when children create art they are always successful because there is no right or wrong in art. This gives a child a sense of achievement and success, raising their academic self-confidence. Art also helps children figure out how they want to express themselves, thus building problem-solving skills. Art focuses on making your internal thoughts external images or sounds creating a superior way for children to learn to communicate effectively. When you take all of these factors and apply them to a child's education the result is obvious. Studies show that the cognitive skills and spatial reasoning that art offers are essential for math. The communication of art often helps children become more successful in language classes. When a student becomes involved in an art program, the drop out rate dramatically decreases. Art is an exciting and fun way for students to feel more successful in school."
Abstract This paper investigates the activities of various groups that bring crafts, writing, drama, dance, fine arts, and music to prisons. One of the groups mentioned is "The Prison Creative Arts Project" from the University of Michigan, which holds exhibitions for prisoners? art, which they even sell. Another is the "Geese Theatre Company", a team of specialized theater practitioners, taking drama to prisons and probation services centers. The National Endowment for the Arts? program for juvenile offenders is also brought up. The paper explains how these programs constitute ?art-therapy? and how they benefit prisoners, both in prison and once they are released. It also looks at the school arena, recommending programs like these for the prevention of juvenile offences. The paper includes a glance at the costs of these programs and at the opinions of opponents to the programs.
From the Paper "Other people have had that question too, and it seems they have done something about it. They organize different groups, and take the arts"crafts, writing, drama, dance, fine arts, and music"to the prisons, hoping to make some sort of difference in the prisoners? lives. One of these groups, the Prison Creative Arts Project, from the University of Michigan, does just that. They hold exhibitions for prisoners? art, which they even sell. The prisoners just love this, because it is a chance to "prove" themselves, and to let people actually see who they are."
