Mimetic art
portrays the world accurately
Representational art
imitates, idealizes, or symbolizes form and experience.
Instrumental art
attempts a benefical effect on society:
- enriches peoples lives
- teaches moral lessons
- provides insights:
- to improve, change world.
Formalist art
Abstract art:
- focus on formal qualities of art:
- color
- composition
- sound
- words
- movement
Small-Scale Societies
art in small-scale societies is highly portable, in these societies it is embedded in all aspects of culture. ex: Sandpainting
Complex societies
in these societies some people specialize in art. art in these societies is often associated with the elite. ex: Museums
Social functions of art
1) Emotional gratification for the individual
2) Contributes to social integration
3) Social control
4) Preserving or challenging the status quo
Scarification
artistic and ritualistic scarring:
- face, other body parts
- specific designs
- mark transitions to adulthood
Tattooing
injecting inks, dyes under skin
- may indicate:
- age
- identity
- social status
Ethnomusicology
the study of the relationship between music and other aspects of culture.
Four major concerns of Ethnomusicology
1) Ideas about music
2) Social structure of music
3) Characteristics of music
4) Material culture of music
Ideas about music
- how cultures distinguish between music and nonmusic.
- the fuctions music has for the society
- whether music is seen as beneficial or harmful to the society.
Social structure of music
- the social relationships between musicians
- how a society distinguishes between musicians on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or education.
Characteristics of music
- how the style music in different cultures varies.
- the nature of musical texts
- how music is composed
- how music is learned and transmitted
Material culture of music
- the nature of the musical instruments found in a culture.
Functions of dance
psychological, political, religious, social, educational
Psychological
helping people cope more effectively with tensions and aggressive feelings.
Political
expressing political values and attitudes, showing allegiance to political leaders, and controlling behavior.
Religious
various methods of communicating with supernatural forces
Social
articulating and reinforcing relationships between members of the society.
Educational
passing on the cultural traditions, values, and beliefs from one generation to the next.
Capoeira
a combination of dance, martial arts, and acrobatics originating aong brazilian slaves of the 16th century.
Myths
stories of our search for signiicance, meaning, and truth.
Legends
told as if they were true, but often are only partially true or not at all true. they attemot to explain the establishment of local customs, the movement of populations from one land to another, or the traits of folk heros.
