Medium of the Art/ Technique of the Art
The Okakagbe masquerades of Nigeria's northern Edo people are regarded as manifestations of forest spirits. The masks that are worn personify the spectrum of human attributes as two basic characters including an ideally beautiful, wealthy female and an aggressive, strong male. Seeing this artwork in person allowed me to appreciate the detail and complexity of the design. This helped me better understand how important these pieces are in the Nigerian culture and what they mean to the native people. It was very striking to me that the material used to create the costume was simply made of cotton. This piece of art made me feel very empowered and awed.
Design of the Museum
This section, the David A. Cofrin Asian Art Wing, really spoke to me due to its structures and placing of art. It was very bold, with large works centered in the massive hard wood floor room. I loved how open it felt and how it displayed the Asian culture. The three pieces of art I included above really stood out to me and captured my attention because of their unique design and architecture. Each artwork in this exhibit was so different from one another and spoke its own story.
Art and Core Values
This weathered sandstone sculpture portrays the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Uma in a loving embrace. Together, Shiva and Uma symbolize the ultimate creative power of the universe and the fullness of the supreme being. This piece of art displays one of my core values, love of family and friends. While looking at the sculpture of Shiva and Uma, I can feel their passion for one another. This helps me better appreciate how important it is to surround yourself with people that love and support you. Their embrace instills in me emotions of warmth and happiness for myself and the people that I love.
Art and the Good Life
The Bodhisattva is a merciful Buddhist saint and savior who refrains from entering enlightenment out of compassion for all others striving to reach the same goal. His hand position displays fearlessness and gift-bestowing gestures. These motions resemble the good life because they suggest values that appreciate one self and others around you. This piece of art shows that allowing others to achieve enlightenment can also lead to enlightenment for yourself. The Buddhist sculpture has a calm demeanor and expresses a slight smile, expressing the accomplishment of achieving a good life.