Easter Island Moai (ahu)
Rapa Nui (easter island)
1100-1600 C.E
Form: Volcanic tuff on basalt base
Function: representation of spirit of ancestral chiefs
Content: , facing inward on outside of island,(long sloping noses, strong brow bone, inset eyes, strong jaw line) carvings on backs represent different chiefs
Context: the ancestors benefit humanity by representing the gods goodness,Chiefs descended from Gods, can harness the god powers to protect island as guardians
Nan Madol (spaces between)( modern day venice)
pohnpei, micronesia
saudeleur dynasty
700-1600 C.E
Form: basalt boulders in slabs on coral reefs, no mortar was used( jenga like fit)
Function: Capitol for important people and king, commercial center/ educational center
Content: temples and housing, no sign of lever/pulley system all lifted by hand( 50 ft tall, 16 ft thick, 5 tons each)
Context in the north east the rituals and ceremonies were practiced, south east was burial site, commoners would travel to nan madol and provide goods/materials to king( feudalism before european contact)
'Ahu "ula (feather cape)
Hawaiian
late 18th century
Form: honeycreeper feathers and fiber
function:for armor of the warriors OR to show the high rank of chiefs in community, king
content: more yellow feathers+length of robe(half-body or full length) the more important the person's rank in community, pattern was never repeated by the cape makers
context: status of chief/warrior valued above the ordinary citizen. Given to european explorers, who then gave to the king/queen who sponsored the trip. chief could also be a warrior so 2 were made(1>battle + !>ceremony)
Staff God
Rarotonga, cook islands(central polynesia)
late 18th century>early 19th century
Form: wood tapa(bark cloth), fiber, feathers
Function: protect the spirit of the Tangaroa the creator god
Content: carved god on the handle, feather earring, 13ft long, broken off penis(missionaries removed and destroyed phalluses from carvings, considering them obscene) on the end that was used to be carried on a stretcher, feathers, pearl shells are woven in cloth
Context: Have an explicit sexual aspect, thus embodying male and female productive and reproductive qualities.
protects the ancestral power ('mana) of the deity in the barkcloth
female deity
Nukuoro, micronesia
Nukuoro people
Form: wood from breadfruit tree, carved with shells or western metal blades
function: Association with family group, priest or temple, harvest festivals
content:Human figure with male/female features. elongated body, short legs, round head, eyes and noses are nonexistent, downward sloping shoulders
context: Considered the resting place of god or deified ancestral spirit during harvest festival, placed in temples decorate with mats, feathers, paint or headdresses.
Buk (mask)
Torres straight
Mid-late 19th century
Form: turtle shell,wood fiber, feathers,shell
function: part of masquerade costume
content: human features, hair, headpiece
context: Spiritual representation of a family, totem hero or animal association, used at initiation rituals, funeral rituals, and harvest rituals. Created before Christianity was introduced to area .
Hiapo (tapa)
Niue ( niueans)
1850-1900
Form: Tapa or bark cloth, free hand painting
Function: cultural exchange, special occasions such as weddings and birthdays. decorated for people of rank, protect deities, funerals
Content: geometric design with human figures
Context: textiles are offerings in exchange for work or food and cultural exchange. considered women's wealth and Polynesia
Tamati wake nene
Gottfried Lindauer
1890
Form:oil on canvas painted from Photos
Function: honor the ancestors or leaders of the Maori community, passed down through generations of ancestors. hang in home or community center
Content: Maori chief, wooden sword with feathers, traditional indigenous clothing, precious stone earring
Context: European commission paintings of indigenous only in traditional clothes, Capture the traditions of tattoos and dressed of maori, allow the ancestors spirit to be captured/remembered .
Navigation chart
Marshall Islands, Micronesia
19th to early 20th century
Form would/shells
function: navigation chart
content: curved and straight lines in different directions indicate wave swells and patterns small shells marked islands
context: Sophistication of navigators knowledge and learning techniques early cartography technique
Malagan display and mask
New island province, Papua, new guinea
20th century
Form: wood, pigment , fiber and shell
function: funeral purposes
content: animal and human features, mohawk, none are the same when given to the family have a " copyright" .no distinguishing features between male and female
context:honor/capture a dead ancestors spirit or spirit of area in a celebration held in the town annually due to the high cost
Processional welcoming of Queen Elizabeth II to Tonga with tapa cloth
Tonga, Central Polynesia
1953
Form: bark cloth, pandnaus fiber/ hibiscus fiber mats
Function: multi media performance
Content: simple cloth more important/meaning
Context: wedding/funeral celebrations still at the feet of Queen of Tonga