African Visual Art - Research Paper Example

? African visual Art Art is a wide field through which humans can express their appreciation to nature, feelings and emotions among other human traits. Art can be in the form of paintings, sculpture, dances, songs, drawings, photography, fashion and poetry among other forms (Emmanuels, 2010). Visual art is one of the most common type and it includes architecture, photography and painting among other common types. Visual art includes the application of various inputs to produce real or rather tangible artistic products (Carrier 2007). Performing art on the other hand include using human natural talents to sing dance and act in a film among other forms. Art plays play vital roles in the human lives as it communicates, entertains, a source of income, express the mood in the society, differentiate as far as culture and practices are concerned. Art could also be used to add aesthetic values to our infrastructure, automobiles and clothing among others. Art can attract foreigners from different corners of the world to a specific destination, for instance, a majority of Europeans and other parts of the developed nations travel to Africa just to have a real feel of the African art. They enjoy the African dances, songs, sculptures and paintings among other elements of Art. This discourse is about the unique architecture of the Egyptian’s pyramids as a form of visual art. The Egyptian’s pyramids are some of the most unique and valuable art in Africa. It is divided into various categories depending on the origin (Smyth 2013). The beauty of the pyramids is not only attributed to the structures but other features included in them. For instance, Egyptian’s pyramids have relief sculptures as well as produced wall paintings among other refreshing features. Some of the sculptures in the pyramids include the famous obelisks and the sphinx statues among others (Arnold, 2010). Talking of the Egyptian’s pyramids without the mention of the ancient Egypt history is regarded as incomplete. The ancient Egypt was characterized by desert and dry grassland climates. This could explain why the native Egyptians had to employ some desert features like the sand dunes to construct their structures. They could place huge obstacles in the open fields to trap dust and this marked the foundation or the beginning of their unique constructions. Mesopotamia was one of the ancient towns and it developed due to its two rivers namely Tigris and Euphrates. It’s believed that the two rivers contributed huge to the civilization in the region, as it supported trade and transport from foreigners from neighbouring cities like China and India. The two rivers also provided for the construction of the Egyptian’s ancient structures. The two rivers also provided water for agriculture among other domestic and commercial uses. The ancient Egypt was governed by the elite class called the monarch. It comprised by of the top ranked priests among other officials. The middle class was left to the merchants, tradesmen and clergy among others. The final low class was the slaves who were forced by their masters to toil in the agricultural fields and construction labourers. They were Israelites who were once welcomed in the country, but the changes in the monarchy changed their general hospitality in the country. Egyptian’s pyramids with the sculpture of god of the sun Sun baked bricks were the main construction material in the ancient Egypt. The bricks were moulded from the rich Nile River clay then left to dry in the natural sun. However, structure for the top monarch leaders were constructed from the stones. The country is rich in limestone except the agricultural rich Mesopotamia. The unique exterior walls are carefully to either slope gently or stand vertical. The ancient architecture arrived at the flat roofs due the fact that the country was basically a desert; hence no major rain was expected. The roofs are structurally supported by well constructed beams and columns, both made from clay. The ancient buildings have the native Egyptians sculpture and paintings on the columns. This makes the structure unique from any other building in any part of the world. The columns were also constructed from the floral designs which comprised of the papyrus and lotus poles. The poles could be shaped or sculptured in honour of the monarch. Some paintings could also be included to add aesthetic value. The neighbouring cities like Greece adopted the architecture of stone and papyrus columns from Egypt architecture. However, the contributions of the unique columns differ in old, middle and New Kingdom structures. The Old Kingdom structures had little space and there was a need for the columns. The mastaba tombs are basically a walled and roofed clay structures without the columns. Anyone who appreciates African art would want to see the unique Masabi tombs. It is unique from this generation building due to the fact that it is made of clay, but carefully placed to ensure its unique strength. Secondly, the structure has existed for several centuries despite being made of clay. This is the direct opposite of the modern constructions which easily collapse despite being made from quality materials like cement among others (Sutton 2009). The shape of the tomb is something anyone will attempt to capture in his or her camera. The tomb has a sloping floor supported by vertical shafts, and this leads directly to the burial chambers. Other than the masabi tombs, ancient Egypt had other tombs dug from the mountains along Nile. The tombs were curved in skilful and unique manner that they qualify to be African art. The smooth interior walls are unique experiences, more so when one imagines it was made from ancient tools and not modern machinery. The tombs have are carefully and skillfully curved openings to limit the entry of dust carried by wind, during the sand dunes. Furthermore, it is refreshing how the ancient contractors considered varies scientific principles yet there was no much knowledge during that era. They used their artistic skills to make beautiful curves within the mountain walls in such a manner that the flow of river Nile was never compromised. The interior walls of the tombs were curved the Ancient Egyptian’s gods of terror as a way of reminding the dead that they were still part of the society. The sculptures could be of aesthetic value to foreigners but they have some cultural and social meanings to the ancient and modern Egyptians. Egyptian pyramid made from sun baked bricks The pyramids serve many purposes but the main reason for their construction was to be comfortable resting place for the dead monarch members.The pyramids of Giza are among the largest pyramids in the country. The Great pyramids were erected during the Old Kingdom. The majority of foreigners think the beautiful unique structures were mysterious or magical structures that appeared at once, however, the truth is that the pyramids were constructed from skilful architecture and plans. Pyramids are a symbol of evolution or rather development in the Egyptian culture. Initially, both the monarch, middle and low class Egyptians were buried in shallow oval pits surrounded with their property (Romer 2009). The architectural design of the pyramids was conceptualized when the ancient Egyptians constructed rectangular burial pits then later roofed it using planks of well curved woods. The walls were constructed of pure sand, something that science can never explain (Crowther, 2009). Sand has large particles and loses moisture so fast that it loses strength almost immediately. But the ancient Egyptians used their natural art skills to pile the sand layer after layer until a beautiful wall was erected. Secondly, there is a probability that the sand could be blown by the strong desert winds and currents, but throughout history, this never happened. The pyramids qualify to be a visual art from their beautiful external finishes as well as the mysteries associated with them. Scientists have used their modern skills to explain the concepts behind the huge structures but at the end, they admit that pyramids were made from pure natural artistic skills. The fact that pyramids are only in Egypt indicate that the skills were God given. Different foreigners visited the ancient Egypt for purposes of trade but they could not carry the technology to their native lands. The pyramids consist of various compartments to store the belonging of the dead. This itself communicates the cultural practices and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians as far as the dead were treated. The Egyptians believed that there was life after death and the dead would there for require their belongings. However, this was a great challenge since there were the tomb robbers who targeted gold and ceramics among other valuables belonging to the dead. That is the reason the Pyramid and Mastabas floors were constructed to slant towards the burial chamber. The pyramids were of different shapes and heights depending on the era of construction. As time advanced, pyramid architecture and construction technologies developed for the design and the general construction materials. It is believed that the use of stones in construction was invented by Imhotep, who was the king of Djoser and the structures could be constructed to greater heights compared to those constructed from sand and clay (McCLean 2009). The pyramids from stones have smoother and regular finishes compared from the rugged sand pyramids. Even the stone pyramids or Egyptians ancient structures qualify to be visual arts from their aesthetic finishes, numerous partitions and their slanting foundations among others. The Egyptian pyramids are different in sizes and this is not only attributed by the architectural advances but also the political influences. A mightier king in Pharaoh Era would have a bigger and taller pyramid that his predecessor. This explains the bigger and taller pyramids of the forth Egyptian family situated in Mangara, Khafraa as well as in Likhukhu (Morley 2004). Pyramid under construction. The interior walls of the pyramids provided platform or base to write poems, religious texts and stories among others. Hieroglyphics is a special art of writing that were greatly employed by the ancient Egyptians. The walls also have the paintings of the top monarch officials where the wives were drawn on the left hand side of their men. This was a special and skilful way of keeping records of such leaders. It was also a way of showing respect and appreciation to those in power (Finance 2010). The paintings were done in such a way that they exist to date. Hieroglyphics itself is a visual art as the ancient Egyptians used symbols and images to communicate some important messages. The images included traditionally dressed Egyptians carrying coffins to lay the dead. This indicates how the dead are respected and well taken care of by the ancient Egyptian culture. The walls also have the sculptures of various Egyptian’s gods like the god of the sun, the god of harvest, god of the rain and the god of anger among others (Goulekas 2010). This is a clear indication to any foreigner that the ancient Egyptians believed in many gods unlike their Israelites slaves who trusted the supreme God. The sculptures are made from wood planks, stones and sand walls among others. The fact that such sculptures exist to date is a mystery and this further qualifies the unique pyramids to be visual art. Some of Hieroglyphics on the exterior and interior walls of the pyramids Uniqueness is a very vital element in the visual art. Egyptians pyramids are the most celebrated ancient monuments in the continent; however it is important to note that similar monuments are found in the desert part of Sudan. The Sudanese pyramids are much smaller but vertical compared to the Egyptian’s pyramids. Their vertical walls are attributed by the humid climate in Egypt. History is not clear when it comes to the question of which pyramids were first erected. Egyptians pyramids look more attractive at the sun rise and set, and this has compelled the majority of foreigners to watch the unique pyramids as the sun rise and sets. The rays seem to be reflected by the tall pyramids and the image is worth capturing. The blue colour of the sky also blends well with the rays of rising and setting sun, and the reflection by the pyramids walls set a refreshing image. Various foreigners have captured such images and sold them at high costs when they resume to their native lands. The rugged brown brick walls also form a good reflective surface for the sun rays, and the viewer is set to have a unique image. Pyramid images as the sun sets Furthermore, the pyramids reflect the moonlight at night and the image is so original that anyone would tempt to capture. The Image is such that the peak or the upper part of the pyramid appears brighter than the base. The alteration of the hue is pleasant to the human sight. At times some animals also move closer to have a view, and the entire view of the pyramid and the surrounding animals is something that cannot be found in any part of the world, other than the blessed Egypt. Pyramid at night To conclude, visual art is a special kind of art where the final product can be felt or rather is real, and it has a defined input. The Egyptian pyramids are the most architectural art celebrated in Africa. The structures have attracted different professionals from different countries, with the aim of identifying the scientific principles that supported the unique constructions. The pyramids were constructed to provide resting places for the monarchy leaders since the Egyptians believed a dead king would become the king of the dead as the new king would become the king of the sun (Kelly 2010). The pyramids rugged and layered walls make them attractive and unique. The interior walls are used for paintings, writing poems, religious texts and history to honour the dead kings. The use of sand to build the ancient pyramids is also a mystery itself, since we understand from the soil mechanics perspectives that sand can never make a wall unless mixed with other kinds of soil. The pyramids reflects the rising and the setting sun rays to produce a unique refreshing image. The rugged brick walls form good reflective surfaces. Works cited Arnold, Dorothea. The ancient Egyptian pyramid Texts 1910. Germany: Kessinger publishing co., 2010. Carrier, David. Writing about visual Art. New york : School of visual arts, 2007. Crowther, Paul. Phenomenology of the Visual Arts. New York: Routledge , 2009. Emmanuels, Derrick. Visual and Performance Art. New York: Routledge, 2010. Finance, Charles. Understanding the basics and nature of Egyptian's Pyramids. New York: Elsevier/ Focal press, 2010. Goulekas, Karen. Visual art in the ancient world. New Jersey: Morgan Kaufmann, 2010. Kelly, James. The Pharaohs and their huge resting bays. New York: Apress publisher, 2010. McCLean, Shilo. The values of visual art in today's world. New York: MIT Press, 2009. Morley, Jacqueline. Avoid Becoming an Egyptian pyramid builder. New York: Salariya publishers, 2004. Romer, John. The Great Pyramid: Ancient Egypt Revisited. London: Cambridge University press, 2009. Smyth, Ellen. What is in the Egyptian's pyramids. New York: Idea Group, 2013. Sutton, Tiffany. The Classification of Visual Art. New York: abd press, 2009. Read More