Sculpture in West Africa and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

  • West African Sculpture

    • Artists in West Africa have a rich tradition of sculpture spanning nine centuries.

    • Mastery over multiple materials, especially ceramics and ivory, with a notable focus on bronze.

  • Key Cities: Ife and Benin

    • Located in modern-day Nigeria, both cities were pivotal in the sculpture domain.

    • Ife was a significant trading hub from the 11th to the 14th century.

  • The Yoruba People

    • The Yoruba are indigenous to the Ife region, with the Oni as their powerful rulers.

    • Ife is considered sacred, believed to be the birthplace of the world as per Yoruba mythology.

  • Sculptural Techniques

    • Noted for life-size representations of human heads made using the lost wax casting technique (seven-step process involving molten metal).

    • Example: Many heads found in the burial site of Oni Oblophon II, who ruled around the 14th century.

    • Thought to be housed in a shrine dedicated to him.

  • Ife Head Styles

    • Two styles:

    • Heads with vertical lines symbolizing scarification.

    • Smooth heads, typically male, sometimes adorned with holes for hair insertion.

  • Cultural Significance of Heads

    • Heads portray powerful individuals considered gods by the Yoruba, symbolizing knowledge, judgment, and character.

  • Benin Kingdom Influence

    • A prince from Ife became Oba of Benin, transferring artistic skills to the region.

    • Benin artists excelled in the lost wax casting technique, creating elaborate sculptural works that honor ancestors.

    • Unique feature: Heads often had spaces for ivory tusks, linking current rulers to their divine ancestors.

  • Art and History in Benin

    • Art forms reflect history, particularly bronze plaques that adorned the royal palace, illustrating various societal figures and events, including the arrival of Portuguese explorers.

    • The Oba controlled art production, emphasizing its cultural significance.

  • Ivory Carving in Benin

    • Exceptionally skilled ivory carvers produced notable works, such as portraits of Queen Mother Esiguier and leopards sent to Queen Victoria.

  • Destruction of the Great Palace of Benin

    • Destroyed in 1897 by British forces; it was later rebuilt on a smaller scale.

    • Current authority rests with kings descended from historic Obas.

  • Memorials in Context

    • The term "memorial" comes from Latin, meant to commemorate historical events.

    • Ancient practices of memorializing victors and the deceased date back to Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Rome.

  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial

    • Established to honor those who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.

    • Designed by Maya Ying Lin, selected from over 1,400 entries, emphasizing reflection and contemplation rather than traditional forms.

    • Structure: Two black granite walls, 246 feet long, forming a V shape and engraved with names.

    • Controversial nature regarding design and form; resolved partly through the addition of a traditional sculpture by Frederick Hart.

    • Inaugurated in 1982, later additions included Glenna Goodacre's Vietnam Women's Memorial in 1993, showing women's contributions during the war.

    • The memorial attracts 3,000,000 visitors annually, showing a preference for Lin's design despite controversy.