Freshman Seminar: Understanding Oceanic Art

3 units

The Pacific Ocean covers one third of the earth's surface and is home to hundreds of different island groups and cultures. The diversity of geographies and peoples has resulted in a remarkable diversity of cultural traditions, languages, art forms and material culture. This array of cultures and material culture may initially prove bewildering and challenging to in order to understand what we are looking at. However, through closer examination of objects, materials, and themes embodied in Oceanic art, we can identify points of entry to allow us understand the indigenous significance of the works in increased detail and, in doing so, can find points of comparison with ideas, themes, and art styles that may be more familiar. The course will commence with investigation into what we are looking at, what materials are used and what does the iconography represent. We will then consider particular themes, including carving traditions, body ornamentation/ modification, animal iconography, trade and exchange of objects, warfare, funerary/ mortuary displays, manifestations of power and religious/ritual objects. The course will end with a look at the vibrant and engaging contemporary arts of the Pacific Islands, looking at how history and issues such as climate change and rising sea levels influence Pacific artists. No prerequisites.