The Pacific 9.3

The Pacific

700–1980 CE

TOPIC 9.3 Theories and Interpretations of Pacific Art

The arts of the Pacific are expressions of beliefs, social relations, essential truths, and compendia of information held by designated members of society.

The acts of creation, performance, and even destruction of a mask, costume, or installation often carry the meaning of the work of art, instead of the object itself carrying the meaning.

Meaning is communicated at the time of the work’s appearance, as well as in the future when the work, or the context of its appearance, is recalled. This sort of memory is evoked through the presentation of primordial forms such as cultural heroes, founding ancestors, or totemic animals to reaffirm shared values and important truths. In some instances, the memory is created and performed, and then the objects that appeared in those processes are destroyed, leaving a new iteration of the memory.

(9) 213. Nan Madol.

Oceanic (Saudeleur Dynasty). 700-1600 CE. Oceanic.

Learning Objective: Oceanic city

Themes:

Palace
Politics
Power
Architecture
Innovation
Status
Man v. nature

Nan Madol a city created in Pohnpei, Micronesia is constructed from basalt boulders and prismatic columns.  There are 92 islets or small islands that are man-made. It is constructed in a lagoon, where the sea floor is not very deep.

Nan Madol was created by placing large rocks atop submerged coral reefs to build up raised platforms. These could support large basalt prismatic columns or naturally rod-like and straight pieces of basalt.

No mortar was used. In ashlar masonry all the stones are cut to be the same shape, size, and surface texture.  Basalt was brought in from another area as it is not found here

Some of the structures are 60 feet tall. This raised the question of how they would have erected these structures as the people did not have knowledge of pulleys, levers, or metal.

Function

This was the political seat of the Saudeleur Dynasty. Chiefs required potential rivals and aristocrats to live in the city rather than in their home districts. Here their political activities would be easier to monitor. This is similar to Cusco and Versailles.

As for social status, the size of residences indicated the wealth of the elite. It was a display of power and piety.

Content

• 92 small artificial islands linked by canals that form the capital city of Nan Madol
• No carvings
• No art
• Half of the complex was buildings for priests and rulers
• The other half was vaults, meeting houses, baths, temples, aristocratic homes

Context

This was the first organized government in the region between 1100 – 1628.  It was a deeply religious community focused on worship of the sea. It was believed that sea dragons built Nan Madol.

The population on the island did not exceed 1,000 and often it was half of that.  The total kingdom population was 30,000. This means the building effort was greater for this community than building the pyramids was for the Egyptians.

The site was abandoned in the 19^th century.  Little is known about the group.

 

(9) 214. Moai on platform (ahu).

Oceanic. 1100-1600 CE. Oceanic.

Learning Objective: Oceanic monumental sculpture

Themes:

Ancestors
Power
Status
Commemoration
Man v. nature
Religion

Moai on platform (ahu) located on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) dates to between 1100-1600 CE. The word moai means statue.  On average the figures stand 13 feet tall and are made from tuff on a basalt base.  Tuff is rock made from volcanic ash. Basalt is a hard, dark volcanic stone quarried from the large hills on the island.

There are 887 statues in all, mostly male and each weighing 50 tons. These are erected on large platforms (ahu). The eye sockets were originally inlaid with red stone and coral. The works were once painted with red and white.  Each statue has a heavy eyebrow ridge, elongated ears, oval nostrils, emphasized clavicle, thin arms, no hands, large forehead, and a long nose.

The stones were quarried from mountains up above and then slid along the side of the mountain, until they landed upright in a hole. The trick was getting them to not tip forward once they were in the hole.

How were these Transported?

The first theory is they were moved horizontally on a sled.

The second theory is that they were rolled horizontally using logs.

If you ask islanders, they say the statues “walked”. This was largely disregarded by historians as being mystical or metaphorical.

A Czech historian even tried dragging the statue along in an upright position. This damaged the statue and in effect, it ground down the bottom, like rubbing it with sandpaper. Instead, they realized you need three ropes tied to each one.

Two ropes are needed on the sides and one behind. The two side ropes rock the statue from side to side, slightly pulling forward so it will see-saw along. The rope on the back helps to stabilize it, so it won’t collapse forward or back.

The ropes are tied where the eyes are through the deeply inset nose bridge and eye sockets. This way it can move 100 yards in 40 minutes this way and it is easier to go uphill.

Function

Moai were carved to commemorate important ancestors. This was a display of status for both the ancestor and the patron/relative who commissioned it. The statue embodies the spirit of the past. All moai face with their backs to the sea. In this way, they are guardians, that protect and focus on the island.

Almost all were toppled. This was done out of frustration by locals when the statues were viewed as not protecting the island. Most have been restored to their original spots.

Content

• Statues represent ancestors deified after death
• Topknots on some statues likely represent chieftains
• The larger the statue, the more powerful the individual was

Discovery

Easter Island (native name = Rapa Nui) is called that because it was discovered on Easter 1722 by the Dutch.  The island is just 10 miles long and 6 miles wide. It is one of the most isolated places on earth and extremely remote.

Art Comparisons

This monumental sculpture is unique in Pacific art and more like South America. Some theorized Rapa Nui wasn’t Oceanic at all, but rather Latin American. This has been disproved with genetic testing.

How did the Island Collapse?

The old theory is the island depleted its resources and completely deforested itself, causing a decline in birds and therefore a decline in food. The people toppled the moai, upset with the ancestors for not protecting the island (theory of Jared Diamond who wrote Guns, Germs, Steel).

But there is a new theory. On the first sighting in 1722, the Dutch described the island as bountiful and thriving. In 1774, Captain James Cook described the island as having human bones everywhere and being sparsely populated. The island was exposed to European diseases for which Easter Islanders had no natural immunities.

 

(9) 222. Malagan mask.

Oceanic (Papuan). 20^th century. Oceanic.

Learning Objective: Oceanic funerary mask

Themes:

Mask
Status
Funerary
Ceremony
Ancestors

Malagan mask from New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea is a creation made from wood, pigment, fiber, and shell.

The face is highly stylized. These funerary masks often have pierced ear lobes and a prominent mouth, commonly opened. Masks also have an asymmetrical hair design. The left side is bare to show how a New Ireland man would shave his head in mourning.

Ownership

Ownership of a Malagan object is like the modern notion of copyright. When a piece is bought, the seller surrenders the right to use that style, form and even the rights.

The Creators

Mask making does not involve women. Only male artists are hired for their carving skills.

Function

Malagan ceremonies and feasts are primarily concerned with honoring and releasing the dead. It also acts as an affirmation of identity of clan groups.

Malagan masks were worn by men during a performance to help release the dead and assist their souls to reach the spirit world. Each mask honors a specific individual and illustrates their relationship with ancestors, clans, or living family members.

These are not a direct portrait but a representation of the life force.   The mask draws the soul of the dead towards the ceremony.

Masks could be reused by families because they were so expensive.

Malagan sculptures were made for the single occasion of Malagan ceremonies and then destroyed. At the height of the ceremony, the Malagan sculptures were exhibited in temporary display houses. This was said to help the souls of the dead find their spiritual likeness and embed themselves in the sculptures.

The sculptures were treated with the utmost care, since it was believed that the souls of the deceased entered the sculptures. To forcefully dismiss the dead, the sculptures were burned.

Content  

• Masks can represent ancestors, ges (spirit double of an individual), or various spirits associated with the area, and often include clan symbols.
• Include representations of fish and birds of identifiable species, alluding both to specific myths and the animal’s natural characteristics.
• Sculptures represent the ges – specific to the individual.

 Context

Malagan ceremonies became extremely expensive affairs, considering the costs of the accompanying feasting. Funeral rites could take place months after a person had died. They might even be held for several people simultaneously. The families paid in pigs and shell money.