Art and Culture: A Historical Overview and its Manifestations in Venezuela, Resúmenes de Artes

¡Descarga Art and Culture: A Historical Overview and its Manifestations in Venezuela y más Resúmenes en PDF de Artes solo en Docsity! Art It is generally understood as any activity or product carried out with an aesthetic and also a communicative purpose, through which ideas, emotions and, in general, a vision of the world are expressed, through various resources, such as plastic, linguistic, sound, corporal and mixed. Art is a component of culture, reflecting in its conception the economic and social bases, and the transmission of ideas and values, inherent to any human culture throughout space and time. It is usually considered that with the appearance of Homo sapiens, art initially had a ritual, magical or religious function (Paleolithic art), but that function changed with the evolution of the human being, acquiring an aesthetic component and a social, pedagogical, mercantile function. Or simply ornamental. The word 'art' has a wide meaning, being able to designate any human activity carried out with care and dedication, or any set of rules necessary to optimally develop an activity: we speak of "culinary art", "medical art", " martial arts”, “trawling arts” in fishing, etc. In that sense, art is synonymous with ability, skill, talent, experience. However, art is more commonly considered as a creative activity of the human being, by which he produces a series of objects (works of art) that are singular, and whose purpose is mainly aesthetic. In this context, art would be the generalization of a concept expressed since long ago as "fine arts", currently something in disuse and reduced to academic and administrative fields. Similarly, the use of the word art to designate the performance of other activities has been replaced by terms such as 'technique' or 'trade'. This article deals with art understood as a means of creative human expression. History Art in prehistory (ca. 25000-3000 BC) • Prehistoric art: it is the art developed by the primitive human being from the Upper Paleolithic to the Neolithic, periods where the first manifestations that can be considered as artistic by the human being arose. In the Paleolithic, the human being was dedicated to hunting and gathering, and lived in caves, elaborating the so-called cave painting. Ancient art (ca. 3000-300 BC) In Egypt and Mesopotamia the first civilizations arose, and their artists/craftsmen elaborated complex works of art that already suppose a professional specialization. • Egyptian art: their art was intensely religious and symbolic, highlighting in architecture the mastabas, the pyramids and the hypogea, as in Giza and the Valley of the Kings. Sculpture and painting show the human figure in a realistic way, although they suffer from hieraticism and schematism due to the rigidity of their symbolic-religious canons. • Mesopotamian art: developed in the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, where various cultures such as the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Persians, etc., succeeded each other. In architecture, the ziggurats stand out, large pyramidal staggered temples, while sculpture is developed in free-standing carving or relief, in religious or hunting and military scenes, with the presence of human figures and real or mythological animals. Classical art (1000-300 AD) • Greek art: Greece developed the main artistic manifestations that have marked the evolution of Western art. After some beginnings where the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures stood out, Greek art developed in three periods: archaic, classical and Hellenistic. In architecture, the temples stood out, where three constructive orders followed one another: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Particularly noteworthy is the Acropolis complex. In sculpture, the representation of the human body predominated, with an evolution from rigid and schematic forms, through the naturalism of the classical period –with the work of Myron, Phidias and Polykleitos–, to the recharge and sinuosity of the Hellenistic period. • Roman art: with a clear precedent in Etruscan art, Roman art was greatly influenced by Greek art. Thanks to the expansion of the Roman Empire, classical Greco-Roman art reached almost every corner of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, laying the foundations for Western art. Great engineers and builders, they stood out in civil architecture, with the construction of roads, bridges, aqueducts and urban works, as well as temples, palaces, theaters, amphitheaters, circuses, baths, triumphal arches, etc. The sculpture, inspired by the Greek, also focuses on the human figure, although with more realism, they did not mind showing defects that were ignored by the idealized Greek sculpture. The painting is known above all for the remains found in Pompeii, and the mosaic especially stood out. Art in the High Middle Ages (4th century-10th century) • Paleo-Christian art: with the appearance of Christianity, the so-called Paleo-Christian art was generated throughout the Empire, which acquired official status after the conversion to Christianity of Emperor Constantine. Paleo-Christian art reinterpreted both classical and Jewish forms to serve as a vehicle for the expression of the new official religion, and there was an atomization of styles by geographical areas. In architecture, the basilica stood out as a typology, while in sculpture the sarcophagi stand out and painting and mosaic continue as in Roman times. • Pre-Romanesque art: this is the name given to the multiple styles developed in Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire until around the year 1000, where the fusion of classical culture with that of the new settlers of Germanic origin generated the various nationalities that currently make up the European continent. Various styles of a marked regional character are included in this phase, from Visigoth art and other Germanic peoples, or even Celtic art —especially in the British Isles— or Viking, through Asturian art, to Carolingian and Ottonian art. in central Europe. Features Visual arts • Architecture: is the art of designing and building buildings. • Body art: is the one that uses the human body as a support. • Digital art: it is the one made by digital media, such as video or computers, often linked to installations, or that uses various media, such as the Internet, an example is video games. • Ephemeral art: it is the one that has a certain duration in time, since in the genesis of its conception lies the fact that it is perishable. • Decorative or applied arts: term applied preferably to the industrial arts, as well as to painting and sculpture, when their objective is not to generate a unique and differentiated work, but rather they seek a decorative and ornamental purpose. • Graphic arts: are those that are made through a printing process; Thus, graphic arts are both engraving and photography, poster design or comics, or any artistic activity that uses a printed medium. • Industrial arts: are those developed with an industrial or artisan elaboration but pursuing a certain aesthetic purpose, especially in the elaboration of certain objects such as clothing, housing and utensils, as well as various decorative elements. • Drawing: graphic representation made by means of lines, strokes and shadows, made by pencil, pen or similar objects. • Design: is the trace or delineation of any element related to the human being, be it a building, a dress, a hairstyle, etc. • Painting: is the art and technique of creating images through the application of color pigments on a surface, be it paper, fabric, wood, wall, etc. • performing arts • Dance: dance is a form of expression of the human body, which consists of a series of rhythmic movements to the beat of music –although the latter is not entirely essential–. • Theatre: it is a scenic art that aims to represent a literary drama, through actors who play established roles, combined with a series of factors such as scenery, music, entertainment, special effects, etc. makeup, costumes, props, etc. Musical Arts • Choral singing: is performed by a group of voices, either male or female, or mixed, who perform a song or melody together, joining their voices to offer a single musical voice. • Symphonic Music: Music is the art of sensibly and logically arranging a coherent combination of sounds and rests using the fundamental principles of melody, harmony, and rhythm. • Opera: is an art where music is combined with singing, based on a script (libretto) performed according to the principles of the performing arts. Literary arts • Narrative: is the art of writing in prose, recreating in words real or fictional events, which the writer has in a suitable way for its correct understanding by the reader, with informative or recreational purposes, expressed with a language that can vary from an aspect descriptive to another imaginary or of diverse nature. • Poetry: it is a literary composition based on metrics and rhythm, arranged through a structure of verses and stanzas that can have various forms of rhyme, although they can also be free verse. • Drama: is a form of writing based on the dialogue of various characters, who tell a story through the chronological and plot succession of various scenes where the action unfolds. Emotions People are emotional beings who let ourselves be carried away on many occasions by what we feel. But in this coming and going from day to day we are acquiring bad habits that without even realizing it have a negative impact on our lives. On numerous occasions, the situations we live in prevent us from expressing ourselves and emotions are hidden. Many people write a letter, sing a song, or paint a picture to express what cannot be put into words. Art thus becomes the ideal medium to convey emotions and feelings. Using any of the artistic disciplines as a means of expression can help you discover yourself, overcome problems or make decisions to move forward. In the same way, the artist expresses through his works what he feels, but he also seeks to generate emotions in the people who enjoy his creations. The color or the strokes used in the paintings, the melody or rhythm of a song, or the use of spaces in architecture reflect the author's feelings such as balance, sadness, joy or placidity. Art encourages emotional reactions in people who enjoy it. In the same way, it also favors the development of the imagination and in relation to this, the capacity for reflection and communication, as well as creativity. Venezuela Art in Venezuela dates back to the groups of aboriginal peoples (Los Caribes) that populated the north of Colombia, the northeast of Venezuela and the Lesser Antilles. The influences of the native culture, the African culture brought by the slaves and finally the culture of Spain brought by the conquerors would determine Venezuelan art from the 16th century to the 20th century. The first signs of Venezuelan art come from indigenous ceramics and sculptures (some dating back 2,000 years) where vessels and anthropomorphic figures are represented. The origin of Venezuelan painting is recorded towards the end of the colonial period, reaching its peak with the arrival of modern art. As a result of the War of Independence (1810-1824), Venezuelan painting begins, breaking with the colonial style and giving way to the historical genre. Most of these works reflect war scenes and portraits of civil and military heroes of the time. Culture Culture is the set of elements and characteristics of a particular human community. It includes aspects such as customs, traditions, norms and the way a group thinks of itself, communicates and builds a society. Culture encompasses aspects such as religion, morals, the arts, protocol, law, history, and the economy of a given group. The term is used to refer to the different manifestations of the human being and, according to some definitions, everything that is created by the human is culture. Some characteristics of the culture are: • It uses human creation and production. • It is generated and shared by a group of society, according to geographical, social or economic aspects. • It is dynamic, so it changes and mutates according to the needs of the group. • It is diverse, there is not a single universal culture, but there are many types of cultures according to different criteria. • It is learned by the members of a group. • It uses both material and immaterial elements. • It is transmitted from generation to generation. • Every culture is made up of six basic elements: • Values. They are criteria that determine what is desirable in a society. These values guide the behavior of individuals in a given culture and are the basis of norms. • Rules and sanctions. It is the regulation by which societies are governed, either explicitly (legally), formally or subjectively. There are many types of regulations (such as legal, religious or moral) and, in many cases, non-compliance is grounds for sanction. • Beliefs. It is the set of ideas shared by the members of a culture about the human being, his purpose and the universe. These beliefs often guide the actions of individuals. • Symbols. They are emblems, forms or signs that contain a meaning within a culture and that represent its model of life, its beliefs, its customs and its ancestral tradition. • Dance of San Juan: The drum beats are very representative of the peoples of the Venezuelan coasts, especially of the states of Vargas, Aragua, Miranda and Carabobo. They take place, in general, in the festivities dedicated to the patron saints, especially Saint John the Baptist, on June 23 and 24, the date of the definitive arrival of the rains and the longest day of the year. • Virgen del Valle: In the state of Nueva Esparta, the great festivities of Margarita take place between September 8 and 15 and correspond to the festivities of the Virgen del Valle, patron saint of the island. • Cantería de Reyes Magos: On the western coast of the country, the folklore of the Falcón state stands out, which has costumbrist and religious expressions that offer a seal of originality, and due to this circumstance they become accentuated the tourist incentive. • San Benito: The importance of the Christian religion for the Andeans is made clear by the traditions and customs that persist in the region today. Music • Joropos; The national dance is the joropo and its respective popular musical instruments are the cuatro, the bandola, the harp and the maracas. These are associated with the ways of life (folklore) of the country. • Windward Drums; On the coast of the Miranda state, the cultural representation of the Barlovento drums stands out. • Christmas carols; In other countries, especially European ones, the musical genre associated with the celebration of Christmas is known by the name of Christmas carol. In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, these songs are characterized by the way in which the last verse of a stanza is joined to the first of the following couplet. The Christmas carols are heard, fundamentally, in the Andean states and in the Barinese towns near the mountains, where peasant merengues are also frequent. • The Zuliana Gaita; Like many other manifestations of Latin American costumbrismo, she is mestizo. The bagpipe is the characteristic rhythm of the Zulia state, which has become the typical Venezuelan Christmas music, has its origins in different genres and has a very particular rhythm. • Waltz; Another musical representation is the Venezuelan Waltz, which in our country is popularly known as Valse, and which has its origin in the homonymous European genre. In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Valse acquired characteristics of its folk music, incorporating instruments and rhythmic elements in the years after the emancipatory deed. • Meringue; Danceable musical genre characteristic of the city of Caracas, but extended to other regions of the country, where it acquires its own characteristics. It is performed with four solo instruments: trumpet, trombone, saxophone and clarinet, accompanied by cuatro, bass and percussion. Art and culture Art and culture are very commonly paired concepts, to refer to the artistic and cultural products that define the most important features of a civilization, especially in its most elitist and subliminal components of bears (high culture), but also in what defines its way of life and their way of understanding themselves and the world (worldview, ideology). Classical art and culture: these are expressions used to designate a wide range of cultural and artistic concepts of Western civilization linked to classical civilizations, that is, the Greek and the Roman; whose geographical extension was the so-called Greco-Roman or Greco- Latin world. They include literary production of all kinds as well as the so-called fine arts, minor arts and material culture; as well as institutions, traditions and customs. Art and Culture in Venezuela - Venezuela is a melting pot of races and cultures. The art and popular culture in Venezuela are different according to the region where they are manifested. Each area has its own music, crafts, gastronomy and gentile. It is difficult to speak of a single popular culture in Venezuela, since it is very varied and rich. - The evolutionary process of contemporary Venezuelan culture derives from pre-Hispanic, Hispanic and African roots, consolidated in the colonial centuries. Cultural specificity has been achieved through an intense process of transculturation and miscegenation. - The passage of time has left a cultural legacy of various indigenous ethnic groups with its rock art, basketry, pottery and a rich oral tradition. - The national dance, the joropo and its respective popular instruments, such as the cuatro, the harp and the maracas, are associated with the lifestyles of the plains. On the central coast, the African influence is reflected in the dances accompanied by the drum and other instruments of African origin. - Venezuela has an important plastic, scenic and musical cultural movement. - Plastic arts and crafts are of great importance in Venezuela. The most prominent cultural feature is the music, a mix of local, European and African rhythms. - The theater is gaining popularity and the literary scene is very active, especially among the younger generations. - The typical Venezuelan music and dances are strongly influenced by the costumes, traditions and religious beliefs of the three races that built the population of our country: Amerindian, African and European. - Popular dances are widely spread as a product of Venezuelan culture. The typical indigenous dances and other purely African manifestations can be found in various areas of the country. - The birth of Venezuelan musical instruments can be located in the origins of aboriginal, African and European cultures, which definitely mark the patterns of our popular music. - Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the indigenous people used hollow animal bones to make flutes and whistles, they also used seashells and maracas. During colonization and the arrival of the slaves, various instruments were incorporated into popular traditions, such as the cuatro (small four-string guitar), the violon, the guitar, and the drums.