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THE BODY IN ART AND

CULTURE
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The human body is central to how we understand facets of
identity such as gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity.
People alter their bodies, hair, and clothing to align with or rebel
against social conventions and to express messages to others
around them. Many artists explore gender through
representations of the body and by using their own bodies in
their creative process.

The ways we behave and express ourselves are shaped by the
cultures in which we participate. Since the mid twentieth
century, philosophers, social scientists, and historians have
theorized that genderthe roles, characteristics, and activities
that distinguish men from womenare not innate but socially
constructed. Behaviours thought to be feminine or masculine
differ from one culture to another and across time periods
(MoMA, n.d.)

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The figure has been used in a variety of ways:

Sometimes it is part of a narrative, or a symbol; sometimes it is used
to celebrate the pinnacle of Gods creation, or as a record of human
achievement or folly.

Artists have depicted the human body as an exploration of beauty
or sometimes purely as a vehicle of artistic expression.

All of the traditions of the past in art have presented us with the
human body in every conceivable pose and situation sanctioned by
history, religion, or mythology.

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The human body plays an important role in the art of certain
cultures:
Its depiction is forbidden in others and, in some cultures, it is the
body itself that becomes art.
The body can be the subject of art or the surface on which art is
created
The body can be seen as graceful, awkward, classical, emaciated,
obese, beautiful, ugly, at rest, dynamic, idealised, symbolic,
emotional or spiritual.
The body can be looked at and its relationship to its environment. Is
it comfortable in, or alien to, its environment?
Enhancing or altering the human form by means of what we
add to it, could be an option:
Fashion and jewellery are also very important aspects of The Body
in Art and Culture. Fashion varies from culture to culture.

In conclusion,
the body is celebrated or emphasised but in others, it is hidden.

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THE BODY THROUGH TIME
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ANNOTATED VIDEO
http://www.learner.org/courses/globalart/theme/13/index.html
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TASK
Click on Compare on the top left corner of the video page


These questions should come up. Select a question page to
answer:
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TASK
Under each question a page will show: Read the text under the
green heading on the left side and answer questions under the
orange title on the right side, Questions to Consider:

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WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS CONCEPT?
You may identify with your ethnicity and culture of origin, or you
could explore other cultures, social groups or subcultures.
You could examine the human body and how cultural identity is
often easily established by physical traits, clothing, adornment
or activities. The use of the figure, male and female, in art as its
precedent in prehistoric cave paintings and sculpture.

These are basic examples and you should be able to think of
something close to you are something you are interested in exploring.
Make sure the concept/topic you choose can sustain your interest and
passion until the end of the year!