Non- Western Objects: Transformation Mask [tatltatlumt] Grace Lin 10.19.2015.
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Transcript of Non- Western Objects: Transformation Mask [tatltatlumt] Grace Lin 10.19.2015.
Non- Western Objects:Transformation Mask
[tatltatlumt]Grace Lin • 10.19.2015
Location: Northwest coast of Canada along Pacific Ocean
Kwakwaka'wakw speaking nations are
Pacific northwest indigenous people
-fish and gather as primary food sources
-cedar forests in region used to make
- homes
- canoes
- totems
- clothing and armor
- utensils and tools w/ seashell
and stone
- ritual objects
Context
Historyoral history:
ancestors came in animal form(s), arrived at given spot, then discarded animal appearance and became human.
known for potlatch ceremonies:
-material goods accumulate in summer
-trade and share during winter
-hosted by numaym [House]
- interconnected extended family units
- founder’s animal mask passed down
- leader + living incarnation
wealth + status defined by how much to give away
Formal Qualities Transformation Mask
Canadian Northwestern CoastKwakwaka’wakw
Late 1800s CE. Wood, Paint, String.
Observationsdeeply undercut curvilinear
depressionsexaggerated beak and nostrils
defined beak and eyes with paintrealistic features of hair and beak
closed: looks like eagle/crowhuman face appears on inside
depicts dual nature of ancestors
DetailsSubject MatterKwakwaka’wakw art: ‘kenning’, fills visual void with motifs and figures
totemscharacteristic bold cuts, realism, emphatic paint
maskstextilesjewelrycarvings
FunctionMasks are important for portrayal of characters in dance ceremonies, spirit enters dancers.
Cross Cultural
Similar to the Lion headed man of Hohlenstein: both mask and figurine thought to allow user to assume or capture essence of spirit/animal.