Monday, April 29, 2013

James Hendrick - Art as Re-enactment of the real


7.  In this blog I will discuss art as a re-enactment of the real.  Art and works of art allow human beings access to a second world of symbols that holds entirely new meanings for their subjects.  Involved in a re-enactment is the action portion, implying art in a dramatic sense that incorporates all aspects of the artistic experience.  As an example, I will reference Jane Harrison and ‘art and ritual.’  In this piece, Harrison describes the scene of ‘tribal painting’ a ritual that often took place after successful hunt and dinner with early humans.  The paintings not only expressed the satisfaction of a full stomach but depicted the hunt of the game in a story telling manner that likely involved pictures and an eager audience.  During this time, through the cave paintings we find common or shared emotion between beings.  The experiences of one being become congruent with that of the others and the effect results in an overall harmonizing experience.  Our modern form of rituals attempt to reconnect the modern man with peoples of the past.  We do this through re-enactment or ritual, with the goal to experience something completely knew, unknown to our time.  The simplest form of eating meals together has the ability to connect us with our more primitive roots.  Here we are not simply sharing facts or passing off information, we are not simply running through the routine of gathering together in order to eat.  By having ‘family dinner’ we are performing a ritual that has been practiced for a very long time.  This practice , and its elicited effect bring people closer together in harmony.

No comments:

Post a Comment