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Aeby2,
I definitely have to agree with you, it is really hard to even begin to speculate what all these images could have meant without the context behind them. I really like your point that humans have an inherent desire to be creative and create art, and you had great examples of what the different pieces could have meant!Some of the posts mentioned the female figurines may have been meant to act as talismans or other kind of good luck charms to promote fertility and I hadn’t even thought of that possibility! How interesting, that is a really good suggestion of what the figures mean.
Hi Aubri,
I think you made a great point when you said all the pieces had a purpose! I feel like the only way they could be seen as abstract is if someone was to completely ignore how long ago these with a very small supply of resources. But exactly as you said, if all the pieces were meant to look like something and have purpose I don’t see how they could be considered abstract.Hi Laura,
I completely agree with your view on the realistic style of these historic pieces of art. Considering how long ago they were created and with such limited resources they definitely seem to be very sophisticated works.I don’t completely understand the concept of what abstract art is but according to google abstract art “does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures” and while I do see the abstract aspect in the prehistoric art I don’t think it is completely abstract. After all, in the Chauvet cave, the Lascaux cave, and bison sculptures clearly show depictions of animals, perhaps the Altimira cave was a little more abstract. The two statues of the women as well as the lion-human could be seen as abstract I guess, however to me they seem very precise, I don’t think the creator of these figures intended them to be abstract. Another definition online said abstracted was “showing a lack of concentration on what is happening around one” and I don’t think these works of art fit that definition, as the artists were clearly concentrated when creating them. Even the monuments like Stonehenge and Newgrange, while perhaps at first glance seem to be abstract actually were built with a purpose in mind, like the “roof box” in Newgrange that is created to let light pass in at a certain time of the year, to me that seems as if it were created with very precise detail.
Since we know that the purpose of these pictures and figures was not to be seen as artwork that slightly narrows down their function. To me a few functions stood out more than others, as mentioned, they could serve as teaching tools, there was no common written language at the the time so the figures and pictures could have been used to teach, or tell stories, especially to pass down over the generations. Their function also could have been seen as a way to communicate, notably with themselves, but perhaps with other people passing through the area, after all their was no guarantee of a common language, so figures or pictures would be a good way to communicate. Perhaps the paintings in particular were also used as landmarks, to serve as a map in some ways. There is also the spiritual function, the imagery could have been used in rituals or for worship. So there are many possible functions. I think these images and figures must have played a very important role in prehistoric people’s lives because they clearly spent a lot of time creating these works of art, it would not have been an easy task to create figures and paintings, especially with such attention to detail. Given the amount of time that must have went into planning these creations and in some cases passing down the task over decades, these pieces were obviously very significant to the prehistoric people.
Hi Aleah! I really like that you included that art is a way to express yourself through creative outlets, I didn’t even think of that even though it is such a huge part of what art is.
Hi Jessi! I think its really cool that you’re interested in doing forensic art! Your cat is also super cute!
1. The first definition says art is “the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.’I think this is too simple. The second states art as being “the expression of application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.’ I really like that this definition includes that art can be any work that is appreciated for its beauty or emotional power. In my personal opinion I think good art has to make you feel something, whether that be noticing how pretty a painting is, or a much deeper emotional response.
2. I found a definition that states “Art history is the study of objects of in their historical development and stylistic contexts; that is genre, design, format, and style. The study includes painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, furniture, and other decorative objects.’ I think it’s important to study the history of art to see what was influential to people in different time periods all around the world. I think art is an easier way to relate or understand the past, versus reading a textbook, looking through past art can helps show you how the world has changed over time.
Hi Maggie! I actually got to go to the large animal research station last summer with my biology class, we got to see the baby muskox it was an awesome experience, they were so cute! The sign you painted looks really good!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19bG8npVlHS4VN_Ia5i_NDy6CnoQJCjH5/view
Hi Guys! heres the link to my introductory video!
