General
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UNIT 13: The Arts and Society
Key unit competence: To be able to describe and compare various
forms of art.
Introduction
Art plays a major role in society. It is a skill that has been there even in early
civilisation. The society employs the use of art for various purposes. In thisunit, we will study how art relates to the society.
13.1 History of arts
Activity 1
1. Brainstorm on the meaning of art.
2. Find out from any relevant material, either a dictionary or textbook, the
various forms of art.
3. Think of the media and the community you live in. What are the forms
of art that can be found there?
There are different definitions of art. Each individual explains art uniquely.
Simply put, art is a collection of creative human activities and the expression
of those activities. It usually involves the results of the imagination andactivities that lead to the production of works of art. It mostly involves
creativity.
Art is as old as human kind. It began with the Stone Age man who had
paintings and curving of sculptures. Some of these paintings and carvings
may not have survived time but some of the ancient art works and artists are
still popular today. The ancient man carried out these art activities as a wayof expressing his understanding of the world around him.
13.2 Forms and uses of art
Activity 2
1. In pairs, discuss how you can categorise the various forms of art you
know of.
2. What is the value of art to any society?
In your discussion on what comprises art, you may have found out that most
art works are majorly for aesthetic purposes. This means that art is about
creating beautiful products that can be appreciated. However, art does not
only involve beautiful creations for appreciation, some art works are useful
in other ways apart from appreciation. Some activities go beyond the value
of beauty to other functions such as weaving beautiful baskets to be used in
carrying grocery, or artistically baking a cake to be eaten at a wedding. Other
art works such as sculptures of national figures are symbolic and carry social
memories of past experiences. Paintings and sculptures can also symbolise
an idea. For example, a carving that portrays a beautiful African woman
holding a baby presents the idea of an ideal African woman and the noble
role they play in nurturing life.
Depending on the function they serve and the manner of presentation, artcan be categorised into various forms. They include:
1. The visual arts: Artists use paint, canvas, stones and clay among other
materials to create physical or static art objects. They include paintings,
drawings, carvings and sculptures.
2. Performing arts: These are art forms where artists use their voices
and/or the movement of their bodies, often in relation to other objects, to
convey artistic expression. Performing
arts include a variety of disciplines
but all are intended to be performed
in front of a live audience. Artists who
participate in performing arts in front
of an audience are called performers.
Examples of these include actors,
comedians, dancers, magicians, circus artists, musicians and singers
3. Media arts: These are arts that use media devices. They include:photography, visual designs and computer art.
4. Culinary arts: This is what we commonly
call cuisine. It involves foods that are traditionally
eaten and are part of a people’s culture. When this
happens, the method of cooking becomes an art.
5. Literature: This includes novels, plays, poetry and short stories. At one
point in your studies, you must have come across poems, read various novelsor story books. These are forms of art.
Uses of art
1. It is used to communicate an idea e.g. a painting or carving.
2. It is used to entertain e.g. a dance or music.
3. It is used to give pleasure. Observing beautiful art gives pleasure.
4. It fosters community interaction by bringing people together during art
activities.
5. It is a means for self expression. Through art, artists are able to express
their feelings and ideas.
6. Art preserves history and expresses the human experience. A good
example are the prehistoric sites and genocide sites in Rwanda. A piece
of art can hold memories of the past experiences of a group of people or
even an individual.
7. Art has been used as a way of communicating beliefs.
8. Forms of arts and culture naturally manifest aspects of socio-economic
activities popular among certain people.
9. Art has a way of increasing global interactions as people of different
cultural origins appreciate art from other regions.
10. Through art, education on social matters is enhanced. For example, the
drama and music festivals held in schools have music and poems that arebased on educational themes that address social issues.
13.3 Characteristics of fine art by region (African, European,
Asiatic, Egyptian, Greek, Italian, American, Chinese)
Activity 3
Fine art is the making and study of visual arts. Different regions have a
different sense of art. This is because most works of art reflect the cultural,
environmental and political contexts of the regions in which they are created.
In Africa, for example, some of the fine arts include:
(a) Pottery. This is due to the fact that in traditional Africa, a pot was usefulin cooking and storing drinks.
(b) Masks. These are associated with religious
ceremonies as African Traditional Religion had a lot
to do with spirituality. Different masks represented
various deities.
Royal regalia, especially in West Africa, was common
due to the monarchy system where there was a
royal family ruling a kingdom.
(c) Sculptures, paintings and carvings, for
example the timber carvings, tinga tinga paintings
and Makonde sculptures of East Africa.
(d) Zimbabwe is known for its soapstone sculptures
of birds and impressive buildings, while some of
South Africa’s art includes clay figures of cylinder shaped headswith a mixture of both human and animal features.
Chinese fine art is characterised by calligraphy, ceramics, engravings,
jewellery, paintings, photography, sculptures, ivory carving, stone carving,
woodwork, embroidery and textile works, weaving and government seals.
European modern art does not portray much of nature. Its earlier art was
however influenced by the church. The art includes architectural designs,
paintings and sculptures. Most of these art works reflected the history of the
church. This was followed by an interest in myths of gods and goddesses in
art. However, for so many years now, European art has not been based on
religion or any particular ideology. Instead, it is influenced by the politics ofeither the state or other institutions.
Asia is known mainly for dance and theatre performances. From the earliest
times in East Asia, dance, music and dramatic performances by masked
characters served a religious function. The masked characters were meant
to act as supernatural beings during various rituals. Hand puppets, sculptures
and paintings were common in South Asia.
Egyptian art is mostly characterised by paintings,
sculptures and statues. In painting, all colours have
meaning. Artists used six colours. These were: red,
green, blue, yellow, white and black. Red, the colour
of power, symbolised life and victory, as well as anger
and fire. Green symbolised new life, growth and fertility,
while blue symbolised creation and rebirth. Yellow
symbolised the eternal, such as the qualities of the sun
and gold. Yellow was the colour of Ra and of all the
pharaohs, which is why the sarcophagi of the Pharaohs
was made of gold. Funeral masks were made of gold to
symbolise the everlasting and eternal pharaoh who was now a god. White
was the colour of purity, symbolising all things sacred and was typically used
in religious objects and tools used by the priests. Black was the colour of
death and represented the underworld and the night.
Sculpturing also involved carving and casting metal. For Egyptian sculptures,
the head and legs had to be visible while the eyes and the upper body were
to be viewed from the front. Male statues had to be darker than female
ones. When seated, the subject’s hands had to be on
his/her knees. Gods too were depicted according to
their position in the hierarchy of deities and always in
the same guise. For instance, Horus (the sky god) was
always represented with a falcon’s head while Anubis
(the god of funeral rites) was always depicted with a
jackal’s head.
Greek fine art, on the other hand, is characterised by
very distinct features. Even though it has aspects of
sculptures and paintings, its art did not draw meaning
from supernatural deities. The ancient art featured
statues of naked male Greeks and clothed women. Art
later advanced to monuments of heroic warriors, fine
metal works, weapons and jewellery, mainly placed in
graves to show the social status of the deceased. There
was also decorated vessels such as jugs and flower
vases.
Italian fine art entailed well designed architecture. In the later days, there
emerged wall paintings, mosaic ceilings, floor work and funerary sculpture.
Other artists carved statues of biblical characters such a King David and the
disciples of Jesus.
American fine art is characterised by paintings where all available space is
covered with flat figures arranged in geometric patterns. Visual art, includes
brightly coloured masks, ceremonial costumes, bracelets and necklaces, as
well as a range of clay, stone and wood sculptures.
Mosaic art was frequently used to decorate masks as well as architecture.
Megaliths, which are arrangements of stones, were used to create a type of
monument. Rock art and wooden carvings as well as mural paintings are alsocommon in American art.
Exercise 1
Explain the characteristics of various types of fine art categorising themby the regions.
13.4 Various forms of art including architecture, painting, fashion,
photography, sculpture and music from a variety of cultures, styles
and traditions
Activity 4
1. In groups, perform a traditional song and a secular song that are
common. Identify the differences between the two.
2. Discuss the various dresses and costumes worn during traditional
ceremonies such as weddings
Art forms differ from one culture to another due to the fact that shared artistic
qualities and aesthetic conscience exist across cultural barriers. For example,
certain architectural designs, sculptures, fashion and music are associatedwith particular cultures. Let’s look at the following distinctions:
13.4.1 African art
African art exhibits form, composition and presence. In most cases, it serves
as a metaphor for the African view of the origin and evolution of the universe
and dramatically harmonises humanity and the environment. African art has
both spiritual and social significance.
Different social spheres such as family, clan, communa
groups and tribe
reflect their identity through art.
A major characteristic of African art is that it touches
on human emotions. Some are subtly expressed
while others are overtly expressed.
Consider the Yoruba iron figure. Here, the blacksmith
artist has transformed iron, a natural element of the
earth, into an image that suggests the very powers
of life. The arms and legs, elongated and enlarged,show energy around the static environment.
Iron figure from Yoruba
Another characteristic of African art is its
intricate details. For example, a statue of a
Lumbo mother and child captures the essence
of the maternal relationship. The tilt of the
head and the kneeling pose with turned feet
show life. The large left hand cradles the
entire child while the heavily lidded, downcast
eyes depict serenity and peace. The image
therefore portrays the universal nurturing role
of a mother.
African music can also be looked at as
an art. It can at times be unaccompanied
by instruments. Some music is however
performed with instruments.
There are many different instruments that are
used in African music. These vary from region
to region. The many different types of drums
are called membranophones because they
have skin. The other main types of instruments
can be categorised as shown below:
(a) Idiophones: These are instruments that involve banging for them to
produce sound. They include:
• Rattlers (shakers)
• Bells
• Mbira (thumb piano)
• Xylophones or balaphones
• Clap sticks
• Slit gongs
• Stamping tubes
(b) Aerophones: These are instruments that are played by blowing air
through them. They include:
• Flutes (bamboo, horn)
• Ocarinas
• Panpipes
• Horns from animal tusks
• Trumpets made from wood or metal
• Pipes being single or double reeds
• Whistle
(c) Chordophones: These are stringed instruments. Examples are:
• Zithers
• Lutes (kora)
• Lyres
• Musical bows
The most common features of African music are:
• Basic form of all songs is ‘call and response,
• Melodies are usually short and simple and repeated.
• Melodies can be changed at will by other singers so that we end up with a
theme and then variations on that theme. This is ideal as a song can serve
many functions.
• Performers often improvise new melodies while others continue the
original melody creating a polyphonic texture.
African fashion is diverse depending on the community. In Rwanda, for
example, the umushanana, which consists of a wrap skirt with enough gathers
at the hips and a sash that drapes over the shoulder, is a dress for women.
Traditionally, this dress was mainly worn by older women but with thechanging times, umushanana is now mostly worn during formal occasions.
Umushanana with women and men’s traditional attire
For other parts of Africa such as Uganda, traditional fashion comprises of
many variations. However, the most popular of them in women and men is
Gomesi and Kanzu. The pure traditional dresses of the Ugandan people also
consisted of many personal adornments like body marks, tattoos and facial
paintings. Similarly they were also fond of wearing various ornaments like
bracelets, earrings, nose pins, beads and headgears. Ankle jingles, bird
feathers and cowrie shells also played an important role in the adornmentsof the people of Uganda.
13.4.2 Indian art
Indian art such as the paintings, carvings and sculptures represent the deities.
Multiple arms indicate that the figure is a deity, representing their superhuman
powers. Asanas are the postures used to reflect the mood of the deity – themood can be fierceness or relaxation.
A deity belonging to the Indians
The Buddha is usually seen in either a meditative lotus position or standing.
Half-closed eyes symbolise meditation, emphasising looking inwards and
cultivating spiritual control. A third eye in the middle of the forehead signifiesthe deity’s divine wisdom and power.
Buddha
Fire represents destructive, purifying power. Drums, since they make sound
that travels through the air, represent ether, the prime substance from which
all creation was derived.
Snakes are symbols of regeneration and fertility. They are positive symbols
with no association with evil as is the case with Western art. The art on
deities emphasises certain attire appropriate for that particular deity and
may at times represent the story behind the powers of that deity.
Indian art is often united with architecture, serving the purpose of aiding
devotees in ritual worship. The exterior walls of most Hindu temples are in
most cases decorated by images of these deities.
Indian art is also characterised by a strong appeal to senses. For example,
the twining plant forms leaves, flowers, vines, as framing devices around
sculptures, niches, doorways and gateways. They are as well integrated into
sculptural design. These symbolise fertility, growth and prosperity.
Indian sculptures and paintings are also characterised by
sharp expression of sexuality. This is portrayed by idealised,
voluptuous female bodies. Yakshis (nature spirits) represent
procreative abundance and bounty and represent the
generosity of the gods. The female form is based on the
vajra (2 headed thunderbolts) or the double drum. Both
have full rounded forms connected by a narrow waist in
the middle. The yakshis and Hindu goddesses are largebreasted,
narrow-waisted, round-hipped beauties.
Idealised, sensual male bodies are shown as well with smooth, simplified body
volumes and very little muscle definition. This is different from the Western
ideal of the male. Explicit references to sexual union symbolise the creative
force within the universe. This is seen from the abstracted sexual organs (the
male linga, the female yoni), particularly in Shiva temples, symbolise creativeforce and the union of the male and female principles.
Fashion
Indian women hold sari as their dress of identity. Even though
other styles have emerged, women put on sari to occasions and
ceremonies. The sari is usually adorned with jewelry to createa dazzling look common among Indian women
Indian men are known to dress in Lungi which is tied at the waist or
a Sherwani. This is the long, dazzling, often jeweled jacket that you
see men wearing on special occasions. It is traditionally a wedding
jacket, but can be worn for other events. Most of the Indian attiresare functional
Music
Indian music consists of folk, classical and pop music, among others. The
Classical music is characterised by microtones, notes, ornamentations and
melodies improvised from grammar and rhythmic patterns used in percussion
also known as tala. A large number of instruments are used in Indian music
and some of the key ones are the Sitar, Veena, Dhol, Tabla, Harmonium,Shehnai, Bansuri, etc.
13.4.3 Western art
Music
A distinct art of the West is the Ballet dance: Ballet, theatrical dance in which
a formal academic dance technique — the danse d’école — is combined with
other artistic elements such as music, costume, and stage scenery.
Architecture
Western construction methods progressed from the most primitive shed
roof and simple truss to the vertical posts, or columns, supporting horizontal
beams, or lintels. In 19th century, with the advent of cast-iron and steel
construction, a new architectural age dawned and higher, broader and lighter
buildings became possible. Later, these architectural designs improved and
today computerised architecture comes in more creative designs.
Fashion
Western women of the old times wore full skirts that nearly reached the floor,
with the fullness concentrated over the hips to create a broad horizontal
profile. Under the gowns, women of fashion wore heavily boned stays
(or corsets) that extended from the bust to below the hips. On their feet,
women wore high-heeled shoes, and in their hair, which was swept up in high
coiffures, they wore jewels and flowers. Gowns were also made of relatively
heavy, crisp fabrics, which enhanced the feeling of weight and presence.
These garments projected a heaviness and commanding flamboyance
characteristic of furniture and architecture of the time as well.
The following years adapted lighter weight fabrics. Skirts were rounded and
often finished with a train, and waistlines moved higher. Men`s fashions were
derived from military models. However, the modern times have a wide range
of fashion incorporated from all over the world.
13.5 Classification of arts by fine arts and applied arts
Activity 5
Have you come across decorated baskets, pots or wooden objects? How
about framed photographs or simple paintings? Discuss the difference in
function between them.
By definition, fine art means creative art, especially visual art, whose products
are to be appreciated primarily or solely for their imaginative, aesthetic
or intellectual content. They only serve the purpose of appealing to the
senses. They include: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, poetry, film,
photography, conceptual art, printmaking and performing arts which include
theatre and dance.
The applied arts, on the other hand, are the application of design and
decoration to everyday objects to make them aesthetically pleasing. These
objects apart from depicting art, are useful in day-to-day activities. Examples
of applied art are basketry, weaving and pottery as long as the products of
these art works are not for mere decoration but are also useful in household
or outdoor activities. The main difference between the fine arts and applied
arts is that fine art is used only for beauty purposes while applied art hasutility value.
Exercise 2
With illustrations, differentiate between fine and applied arts.
13.6 Rwandan unique arts and craft
Activity 6
Describe the unique art of Rwanda.
Considering that Rwanda is a unified country in terms of language and
culture, occupied by the Banyarwanda, their culture is more concrete
than in other regions where culture is diversified.Traditional handicraft which forms part of Rwandan art includes:
One of the major unique arts of the Banyarwanda is the Imigongo paintings.
These paintings are made using cow dung and are produced by locals fromthe village of Nyakarambi near Rwandan’s Rusumo Falls.
Rwanda paintings
Music and dance also play an important role in the tradition of Rwandan
people. They express among other values; bravery, excellence and humour.
Traditional songs are often accompanied by a solitary lulunga, a harp-like
instrument which is made of eight strings.
The most famous traditional dance is Intore, a highly vigorous dance consisting
of three components - the ballet, performed by women; the dance of heroes,
performed by men, and the drums. Traditionally, music was transmitted
orally with styles varying between the social groups. Drums were of great
importance. Traditionally, the royal drummers enjoyed high status within the
court of the umwami. Drummers usually played together in groups of seven
or nine.
A wide range of traditional handicrafts is produced in rural Rwanda, ranging
from ceramics and basketry to traditional wood carvings and contemporary
paintings. Rwanda’s traditional Agaseke baskets are some of the unique form
of handicraft that are famous the world over. Most of the art works, however,
are functional items rather than purely for decoration. Examples include:
Woven baskets and bowls.
Architecture is also part of Rwandan art and craft. Houses with dome-like
round shape made from cedar poles, linked with bamboo and reeds and
thatched with grass or banana leaves were a common sight in rural Rwanda
before colonialism. Later, clay walling with the walls decorated with bold
geometrical patterns became common for the circular thatched houses.
Today, the clay-filled timber framed walls have been replaced with sundried
brick walling.
The people of Rwanda also have a strong oral tradition. Their oral tradition
entails poetry and folk stories. The epic musical poetry also known as
ibitekerezo and the royalty poems also known as ubucurabwenge and ibisigo
form the rich oral tradition of the Banyarwanda. Through them, most of the
country’s moral values and history have been passed from one generation toanother.
13.7 Importance of the various forms of art to an individual,
national and global community
Activity 7
Which kind of Rwandan music catches your attention the most? Discuss
the role played by performing artists in Rwanda.
At the individual level, art is a way of communicating beliefs and expressing
ideas about the human experience. The artist passes his/her imagination
through creating a piece of art that elucidates meaning to the audience. It is
a fact that some stories, feelings or ideas cannot be well put in words, but a
painting or a photograph exposes all aspects including the emotions of the
time and the mood. However, stories can also be creatively narrated.
At an individual level, art provides an opportunity for pleasure. Art appeals
to the senses hence giving pleasure to the viewer, listener or reader. At a
national level, art serves a communal purpose. For example, the paintings on
the historic encounters of a people, serve as a preservation of that particular
experience in symbolic forms. Whenever members of that particular
community experience the art, they relate it to their past experiences.
Sculptures also serve as symbols as they hold meanings that can be shared
by the entire community. A sculpture of a political figure, for example,
symbolises the ideas represented by that particular political group which he/
she stood for/ stands for.
Music and dance as forms of art also help in bringing people together, hence
encouraging social interaction among members of a community.
Art also preserves history. For example, both oral and written literature tells
the stories of past experiences. Works of literature do not die, but are passed
from generation to generation. In this same way, these collective experiences
are passed from generation to generation.
Art also contributes to the national identity of a group of people. For example
communities, even nations have attire with which they are identified. Most
of these attires are traditional and are commonly worn during occasions or
ceremonies. Music and dance are also culture oriented
Internationally, art can be a means of distinguishing various nations. The
uniqueness of art that belongs to a particular nation can draw people from
other nations to that appreciate it. Therefore, art serves as a tourist attractionand in this way it contributes to the national revenue significantly.
Exercise 3
1. In your study groups discuss the importance of arts.2. Link different forms of art and their applications.
13.8 Unit summary
Forms of art
1. Visual arts
2. Performing arts
3. Media arts
4. Culinary arts5. Literature
Uses of art
1. It is used to communicate an idea e.g. a painting or carving.
2. It is used to entertain e.g. a dance or music.
3. It is used to give pleasure. Observing beautiful art gives pleasure.
4. It fosters community interaction by bringing people together during art
activities.
5. It is a means for self expression.
6. Art preserves history and expresses the human experience.
7. Art has been used as a way of communicating beliefs.
8. Forms of arts and culture naturally manifest aspects of socio-economic
activities popular among certain people.
9. Art increases global interactions as people of different cultural origins
appreciate art from other regions.10. Through art, education on social matters is enhanced.
Importance of the various forms of art to an individual, national
and global community
1. Art is a way of communicating beliefs and expressing ideas about the
human experience.
2. It provides an opportunity for pleasure.
3. Sculptures serve as symbols as they hold meanings that can be shared
by the entire community.
4. Art preserves a community’s or a nation’s history.
5. Art can be used to express the national identity of a group of people.
6. Art can be a means of distinguishing various nations.
13.9 Test your competence
Art serves different roles in society. With reference to arts from Rwanda,
explain the role of art to the following:
(i) an individual,
(ii) a nation,(iii) the global community.
Glossary
Applied arts - the application of design and decoration to everyday objects
to make them aesthetically pleasing.
Architecture - the process of planning, designing, and constructing buildings
and other physical structures.
Career - an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special
training, followed as one’s lifework.
Channel – a medium through which messages are communicated.
Citizenship – the status of a person recognized under the custom or law as
being a member of a country.
Cohesion - the bonds or unity between members of a community or society.
Gender complementarity – the view that men and women have different
but complementary roles and responsibilities in life.
Decode – to find or understand the true or hidden meaning of something.
Degradation – the process in which the beauty or quality of something is
destroyed or spoiled.
Encode - to put a message into the form of a code so that it can kept secret.
Equality - the quality or state of having the same rights, social status etc.
Equity - fairness or justice in the way people are treated.
Ethics - rules of behaviour based on ideas about what is morally good and
bad.
Feedback - the response of an audience to a message or activity.
Fine art - a visual art considered to have been created primarily for aesthetic
and intellectual purposes and judged for its beauty and meaningfulness.
Habit - something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way.
Heritage - something possessed as a result of one’s natural situation or birth.
Identity - the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group
different from others.
Indifference - absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another.
Job - the work that a person does regularly in order to earn money.
Leisure - time when you are not working; time when you can do whatever
you want to do.
Manipulation – act of controlling someone by artful, unfair, or means
especially to one’s own advantage.
Mortality rate - the number of a particular group of people who die each
year.
Non-renewable – not able to be replaced by nature or natural processes.
Performing arts - art forms in which artists use their voices and/or the
movements of their bodies, often in relation to other objects, to convey
artistic expressions.
Property rights – rules determining how a resource or economic good is
used and owned.
Receiver – one who receives something such as a message.
Renewable - able to be replaced by nature
Revenue - money that is collected for public use by a government through
taxes.
Sender – one who sends.
Stereotype - to believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular
characteristic are the same.
Visual arts - art forms such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture,
printmaking, design, crafts, photography, video, filmmaking and architecture.
Welfare - a government programme for poor or unemployed people that
helps pay for their food, housing, medical costs, etc.
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