Art and Carvings of 20th Century China

The Importance of Music and Transportation in Society

The importance of music is off the charts because not only is it a way of expression, but it is also a way one can communicate the way they feel, it can bring people together, and finally, music is everything in society today. The same can be said for transportation. In modern times, we rely on transportation daily, whether it is from driving to work or a business sending and receiving goods via overseas. How about when a loved one passes away? Today, in 2018, each culture or religion has its own way of dealing with a passed loved one. Whether it be a celebration, funeral, or a specific way of showing respect for the deceased individual or the individual's family, it is a real situation with great importance. What is interesting is that these three major impacts on life can all be connected all the way back to the arts and carvings of 20th-century China. All three of these elements have been influenced by and expanded upon the arts and carvings of 20th-century China. Through a visit to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, I have chosen my exhibition to be the arts and carvings of ancient 20th-century China with the three forms of art being the slit drums, ancestor poles, and the Tao fishing canoes. All of which have influenced society today and are extremely underappreciated.

Slit Drums: A Symbol of Music and Communication

The slit drum in the form of a stylized crocodile was invented among the Sepik peoples of the Upper Sepik River region, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia in the 20th century. It is one of the most important instruments. Carved from a tree, the massive logs are hollowed out with a narrow slit opening that releases a deep tone when struck on the side by musicians with wooden beaters. On this drum, the shallow depression on the side makes it apparent where the musicians would most often strike the instrument. Played exclusively by men, the slit drum is a very visible part of any ceremony, celebration, or practice. Whether it is a moment of joy or a moment of despair, the slit drum was often present. Due to the ability of the sound to travel far, these instruments are often placed near a river for optimal acoustic transmission for long-distance communications. In addition to the sounds and music it played, each village had its own beat so the neighboring villages knew who was sending a message. They also had different beats to the drum which would represent different emotions or situations. This small man-made slit drum would be the beginning of the expansion and advances in music and communication through sound (Heilbrunn, 2018).

Ancestor Poles: Honoring the Deceased

Ancestor poles were created out of wood, paint, and fibers by the Asmat people in regions such as Papua, Province, Indonesia, and Melanesia in the 20th century. These ancient ancestor trees were carved out of a single tree. Also known as Bis poles, they can reach a height of 25 feet and consist of carved ancestral human figures, animal figures, carvings in the shape of a canoe prow, and phallic symbols. These poles were carved by special artisans in the community after someone was killed in a headhunting raid. Headhunting is the act of attacking or defending a rival enemy village. The Asmat tradition believes that the deceased soul is not free to go to the afterlife unless the pole is erected for them. Often, a skull from an enemy village would be placed under the new pole before it was erected, ensuring a constant stream of raids and killings. The wing-like extension is an intended phallic symbol representing the strength of the ancestors of the village, and the canoe prow to the afterlife. The human figures were reminders of deceased ancestors. Today, we have our own unique ways to honor our passed loved ones, such as burial celebrations or cremation, which may be kept in an urn or the ashes may be scattered at a location upon special request of the deceased (Orchard, 2018).

Tao Fishing Canoes: Innovation in Transportation

Created by the Yami Culture, Orchid Island, Taiwan, a typical Tao fishing canoe was propelled by an oar and sails rigged from coconut palm leaves. This boat goes without a balancing outrigger arrangement. A variety of timber is used for different parts of the boat as well. Wooden nails are used in the assembly process and tree root materials for filling in the seams. A one-man boat generally required nine pieces of planks. The Tao are perhaps best known among the Austronesian people for their unique and beautifully decorated plank-built boats. Once the construction of the boat was complete, they were then often painted. They were limited in colors due to the fact that they made white paint by grinding seashells into powder and mixing it with resin. The seemingly different similar decorations on the boats are actually different according to each village’s characteristics. What I found most interesting is that not just anyone can build a boat. A Tao man is required to grow Tara first to serve as a ceremonial gift informing his friends and relatives of the plan. Next, he must select ideal timber in the mountains and hold prayers before the boat-making season commences. Eventually, an elaborate ceremony is held upon the first launching of the newly completed boat. At least three years are required to complete a decorated boat (Slit Drum, 2018).

The Connection to the Arts and Carvings of 20th Century China

How these three elements are related to the arts and carvings of 20th-century China is because the slit drum in the form of a stylized crocodile, ancestor poles, and Tao fishing canoe all had influences on modern-day music, ancestor trees, and overseas transportation. As previously stated, the slit drum was used at any ceremony but also “carved in the shape of a mythical fish and lacquered red. Both were used in religious rituals, and the former was also in Chinese opera orchestras” (Slit Drum, 2018). There were many different uses for these drums because they provided the songs and music that people made while playing them. Along with the slit drums, the ancestor poles have had a huge impact on society today. To show appreciation and respect for passed loved ones is great. “Each bis pole is carved from a single piece of wood. To create the pole's distinctive form, carvers select trees with plank-like buttress roots” (Heilbrunn, 2018). Carving a figure or symbol to remember that person is really interesting because the idea of remembering a passed loved one has evolved into jewelry, a personal artifact, and even photographs today.

Finally, these simple boats used for fishing and transportation have created the pathway for these massive boats and ships that have the same purpose in fishing and transportation. Ideas from the 20th century have been adopted and advanced to today are incredible because if society today put themselves in the shoes of the people during the 20th century, the appreciation of what we have today would be much greater. “The Tao’s boats range from the 1- and 2-man tatara, about 2.3m long to the 10- and even 14-man chinedkulan, at 7.6m long” (Orchard, 2018). Each boat had its own purposes, obviously the smaller ones were for fewer people, more the fishing type. As for the larger ones, they were built sturdier and bigger in order to hold more people and heavier weights for exporting and importing goods. This reflects on how boats are used today for fishing, transportation, luxury entertainment, and in the business world as well. Art is part of everyday life and should be appreciated a lot more than it is.

Conclusion: Art as a Reflection of Society

What I learned from my experience of the museum visit is that there is more to art than just a painting hanging on a wall. Art can come in all shapes and sizes and may have a huge influence on our world today. I chose my exhibition to be the arts and carvings from the museum from China of the 20th century simply because it was remarkable to see the creativity that these people had and what they made out of the limited resources they had. It shows the knowledge and determination these people had in order to prosper in their society. What I would want other students to learn from my exhibition is that when it comes to art, being open-minded enhances your learning ability drastically. It is also important because not only is it one of the truest forms of self-expression, but it is also a history lesson within itself. Art tells a story of the people, the place, and the time period it was created within. One can learn and observe so much from merely peering into this window back in time. You could gather so much from a work of art; you could even capture the feelings and emotions that the artist poured into it.

References

• Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. (2018). Slit Drum. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/slit/hd_slit.htm
• Orchard, R. (2018). The Tao’s Boats. Retrieved from http://www.example.com/taos-boats
• Slit Drum. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.example.com/slit-drum