Sunday, March 15, 2015

Art Beyond The West



Any art objects originating from the cultures and societies outside of the western world is referred to as non-western art. Cultures of Europe and the arts utilizing European aesthetics comprise the Western art. Although the arts of colonized areas such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are considered the West, the arts from the native people of these countries are categorized as non-Western art. Though non-Western art traditionally refers to art created in the non-Western world, its definition has become more flexible due to the modern mobility of artists.

 
Like all other art movements, non-Western art has distinct periods. Japanese art originate with patterns on earthenware until around 300 B.C. When Buddhism was introduced on 550 AD., Japan’s architecture was also greatly influenced. Much later, the popularity of the tea ceremony resulted in highly decorated ceramics. Culture plays a vital role in bringing out the art of each country through its food, language, social customs, music, literature and geographic location. Family and society are the main focus of most non-Western art, and is often seen as communal. Western art is more self-expressive in nature because it places primary importance on the individual.

In non-Western cultures, art is an integral part of the people’s lives used every day, in the household and for spiritual rituals. Non-Western cultures created art that was also admired and kept in special places for protection such as places of worship and palaces. In recent centuries, Western cultures also followed this tradition and built art museums where many people can see and appreciate great art from the past and present. For us to understand more and gain knowledge about non-Western art, we have to learn many of the world’s great religions, secular philosophies and traditions and how the artists in each culture blend their unique spiritual beliefs and social values in their artworks.

There are three geographical categories in non-Western art: African art, Asian art and Islamic art. In many African cultures, art is an essential part of initiation rituals, planting prayers, harvest festivals, divination ceremonies and funerals. These artworks, which are used in everyday and ceremonial settings, address individual and community needs and serve social, religious and political purposes. The arts of Asia often include commissioned portraits of emperors and empresses, and even gods and deities. Images from Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as pagan and animist deities are found in countries such as China, Korea, India, Nepal, Japan, Tibet and Thailand. Arabesques and geometric tile designs are just some of the artistic expressions common in Islamic art.                

The differences between Western and non-Western art are numerous in terms of techniques and mediums used. Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese paintings are done on rice paper while Western paintings are created on canvass. The plastic arts in Western society often focus on sculpture usually made of stone and metal. In Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East, bead-work, textiles and woodwork are the important mediums used by the local artists. There are also aesthetic differences like in the Western art; realistic depiction of the human body is an important factor in artworks for centuries. In non-Western art, Asian and African artists painted and sculpted human shapes freely while Islamic art and architecture is abstract and much of the artistic design is focused around the language. The use of color is also a focal point in Western art, but in China and Japan, using simple black ink in calligraphy is considered high art.

The arts in the non-Western world continue to evolve and develop at the same time that contemporary arts do in the West. Societies with ancient roots are applying new techniques and mediums in their artworks, merging it with their traditional arts. In some colonized areas, the fusion of European or other influences are more prominent than others in the arts and aesthetics. Latin America arts often feature a strong Spanish influence, though in some areas, a significant African influence is noticeable. Quilting in Hawaii uses Western fundamentals of sewing techniques but features traditional Hawaiian design.

I consider non-western art as an enigma because its art style is diverse and mystical. I still haven’t fully understood this particular art period but it continues to fascinate me. I cannot also help but be curious and astonished by the different techniques and medium used because at the same time, I was able to experience a world of various cultures steeped in ancient traditions. Someday, I want to create artworks that would bring cultural significance not only to the world of art, but also through history. I also hope that more people would be aware and influenced by non-Western art.





References:

Rindsberg, H. (n.d.). Major Cultures Of Non-Western Art. helenrindsberg.myiglou.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://helenrindsberg.myiglou.com/NonWesternArt/Documents/NWArt_MajorCultures.pdf

Ludwig, P. (n.d.). What is Non-Western Art. ehow.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://www.ehow.com/about_6802272_non_western-art_.html

Zaremba, J. (n.d.). What is non-Western art. answerbag.com. Retrieved March 15, 2015, from http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1953940

Fullen, M. (n.d.). Several Ways in Which Western & Non-Western Art Differ. ehow.com. Retrieved March 15, 2015, from http://www.ehow.com/info_8479986_several-western-nonwestern-art-differ.html



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