.artistry.

For this week my assignment involved an analyzation of the Lascaux Caves in France, here are my findings.

1) Functions of Early Art:

     

    a. What were the cave artists trying to say? 

I believe the cave artists were trying to walk the viewers through the steps and simplicity of life in its many forms. I believe they also wanted to show the graduation of that simple life into a possibly difficult life through the variation of color and detail as the cave went further in. They wanted to show their own creation story, how life gradually changed and what emphasis and focus was put in certain areas.

     

     b. Why do you think that there were so many animals and not as many people in the paintings? 

I think there were more animals because the animals were simple beings that moved as they pleased and very open for direct interpretation. Animals were went the cave artists knew and maybe even worshiped them. Animals were the givers of life, just by killing them, there was substance for the body to thrive. 

     c. What can the paintings tell us about other aspects of the life of cave dwellers or Paleolithic people? 

From the paintings I can see where the priorities of the cave dwellers lied. The emphasis wasn't on them it was more on the "wizard", animal, nature realm of life. 

     d. What difficulties did these early humans navigate in order to paint these pictures? 

They had to get the materials. They also had to risk there lives with the "spraying" techniques that they did in order to get a certain effect. They got this technique by blowing whatever substance they used out of there mouths. They also risked their lives with having to climb up to high locations and hold positions, and then handling all of the dips and dives to maneuver around the cave.

     e. Speculate as to three (3) possible functions of this art to early humans.

1. This art could have served as an outlet of what was going through the minds of the people that dwelled there. 

2. This art could have served as a marker of territory for outsiders to stay out and the people that were in the groups to stay in.

3. This art could have served as a manifestation to please whatever gods they worshipped at the time, something like an offering.

2. Commonalities in Function: 

    Compare the possible functions of the art from the Lascaux Caves to modern art, in all of its various forms. What are 

    some commonalities in function you can find in how the art of early humans and modern humans? 

The art from the Lascaux Caves and modern art are all in the same in different variations. From self expression, to protesting, to offerings of sacrifice for their art to the people that would see it. Modern art is full of experimentation of different styles, mediums, and tools.  Getting the wars of the mind out into the natural world and then stepping back to capture the essence of it's higher significance.

3. Introduce Us to Your Favorite Art: 

    a. For those who practice this form of artistic expression, what function does it serve? What are they trying to communicate?

They artists in this progressive metal art form are trying to use the strings and percussion of their instruments to express their emotional concerns that can't quite stand up to the words out of their mouths.

    b. Is there a complete culture surrounding this art form, i.e., a language, a set of behaviors, form of dress, etc.? Describe and 

        identify the features of this culture. 

They dress in a manner that in the background letting their instruments speak for themselves.

     c. How does this art form (and its culture) benefit society? Are there any detrimental affects? 

It shows people that they don't always have to speak out with the first thing that comes to their heads, life is more than that.