The_Pacific_Arts_of_Polynesia_and_Micronesia_----_(Chapter_1_Introduction_to_Polynesian_and_Micronesian_Art)

Introduction to Polynesian and Micronesian Art

• Interior support figure (poutokomanawa) of the Maori house Te Hauki-Turanga carved by Raharuhi Rukupo in 1842.

• The Pacific Ocean covers one-third of the earth's surface, inhabited by hundreds of cultural groups, including Polynesia and Micronesia.

• Art exploration in this region requires selectivity due to the diversity and shared conventions in arts spanning historical and modern traditions.

Oceanic Art Overview

• Oceanic art includes diverse artistic traditions across Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

• Indonesian arts are related yet distinct from Oceanic arts.

• Focus mainly on visual arts; however, music, dance, and oral literature reflect aesthetic, social, and religious themes.

• Oceania comprises about 25,000 islands; 1,500 inhabited by culturally diverse peoples speaking numerous languages and dialects.

Historical Migration

• Migration to the Pacific began approximately 50,000 years ago from Southeast Asia, raising questions of timing, reasons, and methods of travel.

• During the Ice Age, lower sea levels made islands larger and distances between them shorter; Sahul Land blocked passage to the Pacific.

• Cultures diversified into Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia; interaction resulted in the exchange of domesticated animals and plants.

The Lapita Cultural Complex

• Significant archaeological culture known as the Lapita complex spread from the Bismarck Archipelago into Polynesia, distinguished by specific ceramic decorations.

• Ancestral cultures diversified into current Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian groups.

European Impact on Art

• During the 18th and 19th centuries, European explorers and missionaries acquired Polynesian and Micronesian artworks, now found in international collections.

• Artworks from the past still influence 21st-century art; contemporary artists blend traditional themes with modern aesthetics.

• New forms build upon traditional knowledge through innovative practices rather than mere replication.

Geographic Diversity in Polynesia

• Polynesia, a triangular region east of the international dateline, includes significant islands from Hawai'i to Easter Island and New Zealand.

• Islands include both large, mountainous areas and small coral atolls, impacting cultural and artistic expressions.

• Polynesia subdivided into West Polynesia, Polynesian outliers, and East Polynesia, with unique languages and cultures in each area.

• Despite a cultural and artistic homogeneity, each island group maintains distinct traditions and social organizations.

Migration Patterns and Social Structures

• Ancestral Lapita peoples migrated from Fiji into Polynesia around 4,000 years ago, evolving sociopolitical systems into chiefdoms.

• Exploration of East Polynesia occurred from 1 CE to 800 CE, influenced by navigation knowledge and resource management.

Social Norms: Mana and Tapu

• Concepts of mana (supernatural power) and tapu (sacredness) shape societal hierarchy and rituals, affecting status, power, and prestige.

• Sociopolitical stratification leads to visual symbols of hierarchy, impacting art and its role in maintaining social distinctions.

Art and Inequality in Polynesia

• Art represents societal values, prestige, and rank, embedding inequality into the aesthetic of Polynesian art forms.

• Objects serve as historical chronicles and are intertwined with social interactions and ceremonial significance.

Influence of Western Culture

• Contact with the Western world from late 18th century influenced Polynesian artistic traditions, incorporating new materials and ideas into local practices.

• Technological advances from metal tools expanded the possibilities of artwork while challenging traditional aesthetics.

• The introduction of Christianity significantly altered the focus of religious artistry and practices.

Aesthetic Traditions

• Traditional Polynesian culture did not categorize arts in a separable manner; all creative expressions held communal significance.

• Skills and indirectness, or layered meanings, characterize Polynesian artistic expression, requiring context to appreciate fully.

Diverse Artforms in Polynesia

• Art forms divided into categories: organization of space, architecture, carving traditions, textiles, body ornamentation, oral arts, music, and dance.

Organization of Space

• Space organization reveals societal structures, where layout reflects aesthetics and social hierarchies through architecture.

• Houses serve as symbols of power and status within Polynesian communities.

Carving Traditions

• Three-dimensional sculptures predominant in various regions, showcasing cultural uniqueness in style and form.

• Importance of human sculpture varies across regions, with notable stone and wood carvings demonstrating sacred narratives.

Fibre and Textile Arts

• Textile arts constitute a significant aspect of Polynesian art, often considered equal to carving.

• Women primarily engage in textile production, representing cultural identities through woven materials.

Body Ornamentation and Personal Adornment

• Tattooing, feather adornments, shell ornaments, and intricate designs reflect social status and cultural beliefs.

Oral, Musical, and Movement Arts

• Oral traditions remain integral to Polynesian culture, blending storytelling with musical composition.

• Dance serves to narrate, emphasize, and visualize poetry, maintaining cultural expressions and traditions.

Micronesia Overview

• Micronesia, consisting of various islands and cultural subgroups, exhibits diverse ecological adaptations and artistic expressions.

• Key cultural features include content based on sea resources, navigation, and traditional practices shaped by historical events.

Ecological and Social Structures in Micronesia

• Micronesian islands have differing social systems influenced by resource availability and cultural interactions.

• Artistic expressions focus more on form and functionality than sheer volume, with emphasis on intimacy with the sea in ceremonial practices.

Conclusion

• Polynesian and Micronesian art illustrates the evolution of cultural identities, managing traditional forms alongside modern influences.

• Ongoing adaptations reflect the societies' responses to changing environments, global connections, and internal developments.