A fine Eastern Pende Panya-Gombe African mask. Coll.: David Norden |
UMFA-Arts of a Continent
African art
What: "Africa: Arts of a
Continent" African art from the permanent collection returns for public viewing at UMFA. The exhibition, Africa: Arts of a Continent, is a permanent rotating exhibition, and includes several new acquisitions never seen before by the public. Africa: Arts of a Continent focuses on four cultures: the Dogon of Mali, the Baulé of the Ivory Coast, the Yoruba of Nigeria and the Kuba Kingdom of the Congo. Africa: Arts of a Continent also incorporates several ancient Egyptian burial objects from various dynasties and explores the importance of the Nile.
By Dave Gagon Deseret Morning News july05 The
visual art of Africa is primitive, fetishistic, abstract and diverse. Its
designs run the gamut from gaudy to minimalist, and seeing it on display at a
gallery or museum can excite, inspire and occasionally alarm viewers.
For the next few months, the Utah Museum of
Fine Arts (UMFA) is offering "Africa: Arts of a Continent," an
insightful exhibit of African art culled from the museum's own collection, in
storage for the past few years, along with several new acquisitions never before
seen by the public.
Traditional art forms consist of masks, figures, decorative objects used for personal adornment and objects made to show a person's rank or status. From the Dogon tribe, museum visitors will encounter several engaging works, such as "Togu Na Houseposts" (wood). A "Togu Na" or "House of Word" stands in every Dogon village and serves as shelter for the men as they discuss village affairs. An exhibit label informs viewers that the symbolic images carved on the "Togu Na" express themes of fertility and procreation. Many of the carvings are of women's breasts, for, as the Dogon proverb says, "The breast is second only to God." There is also a Dogon "Granary Door" (wood), which served to protect a family's store of millet. The figures on the door have been interpreted to represent the Nommo, male and female ancestral beings. The carvings on the door demonstrate the innate design sense of the artist and are exquisite. The "Glin Mask" (wood and pigment), from the Baule culture, is used in the "Goli Masquerade Ceremony," a daylong dance spectacle that involves the entire village. The mask from the UMFA collection is that worn by the senior male during the dance. The museum's "Kpan Pre Mask" is that worn by a junior female. However, men dance both the male and female roles in the ceremony. A "Waka Sran Spirit Figure" (wood), possibly a "Blolo Bian (Spirit Spouse)," is also from the Baule. The "Blolo bian" and "blolo bla" represent the spirit mate that each person has in the Other World. Exhibit information states that, according to the Baule, before you were born, you were married in the spirit world. When you are born into this world, the spirit of this spouse follows you. It helps you throughout life.
The "Divination Bowl" (wood) of the Yoruba people would hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for 16 sacred palm nuts used in divination. The exhibit also has a "Ose Shango Dance Staff" (wood) and a "Eshu Elegbara Dance Staff" (wood). The staffs were employed in dance to worship the gods Shango and Eshu and used to invoke help. The beautifully crafted "Ere íbej“ Figures" (wood and pigment) are statues representing twin children. "íbej“" is the cult of twins and represents the strong values of family that characterize Yoruba society. Another magnificent work from the Yoruba is a "King's Headress" (fiber and beads). The mythology of the Yoruba's first king will delight viewers.
All Kuba masks belong to the king. The "Bwoom Mask" (wood, beads, raffia and copper), with its bulging forehead and nose and sharply angled cheekbones, symbolizes maleness. The "Mukyeem Mask" (wool cloth, cotton cloth,
raffia fiber, skin, beads and cowry shells) is a stunning piece. The
superstructure of the mask represents the trunk of an elephant, which is a royal
emblem. The two beaded strips at each side represent the animal's tusks. The
eyes represent those of a chameleon. The white fur, attached below the chin of
the mask, signifies wisdom gained from experience. The cowry shells signify
wealth. According to Brown, Kuba designs are varied and complex, each pattern
having a name and symbolic meaning. E-mail: gag*desnews.com read also UMFA Utah |
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