Project III Image and Sound

This is my Power Point.

Note: Link to Power Point will link back to the Content Collection. From there, you will need to click on the link for the Power Point Presentation. If your machine has Microsoft PPT software, you may get the sound.

For this project, I chose to focus on atavism and the idea of shape-shifting. My particular focus is on how these ideas appear in classical and modern art. In art, one can find the documentation of the fascination that mankind has had through out history with the idea of man regressing to animal behaviors. Some consider this “the beast within” and tend to blame the beastly component of man when man acts out in ways which are not acceptable to his society (Edwards p 142).

By attaching sound effects to works of art, I hope to demonstrate how a work of art may be perceived when viewed outside the usual atmosphere. Consider the atmosphere when viewing works of art in a museum or gallery. In an art museum, you will hear the muffled voices of fellow visitors as they admire the various works of art. In an art gallery, where works of art are displayed with the intent of selling the art work, you may notice soft, classical music playing in the background. In either setting, you will feel an atmosphere of reverence for the art work.

The first slide, reveals how some artists, such as Francisco de Goya, Saturn Devouring One of His Sons (~1819) give a vivid depiction of just how beastly man can be. While this painting was meant to address the myth of Saturn when viewed from the perspective of one living in the 17th century, this painting could also be associated with the satanic witch – entering a pact with the Devil in order to commit heinous crimes under the guise of the beast. The addition of a growling sound effect increases the disturbing effect of the image and brings into focus the idea of “the beast within.”

One century later, Pablo Picasso offers a depiction of the “beast within” in his famous painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907). This painting depicts five women in an erotic setting. As the eye moves across the painting from left to right – one can see a type of shape-shifting. The first figure recalls the beauty of the ancient Egyptian woman. As the eye moves across the canvas, one sees the regression of beauty to something unnatural to the human form. The figures become more aggressive with the final two figures in violent, animalistic poses. The musical sound effect used here, is intended to show a shift or transition in mood – from one level of intensity to another – just as the images of the women transition from beautiful to animalistic.

For centuries man has made use of the earth in order to create works of art. The next slide is representative of the basic element of an ancient art form that is very much alive today. The nature sounds used for this slide are intended to show the innocence and neutrality of the earth prior to man's manipulations. From the earth, man takes clay and shapes it according to his choice. In this way, modern man, much like the ancient shaman or medieval witch can practice the art of shape-shifting.

In the 21st century, we continue to see artists depicting “the beast within.” Looking at samples from a collection of pottery by Albert Hodge, we see the beast emerge from man. Pottery is a great example of shape-shifting. Consider that the potter begins with a simple piece of earth – clay. By applying water, motion and pressure from the hand, the potter can create any shape that he desires. Once the desired shape is achieved, the potter gives permanence to his work with the use of fire. He can create a lasting work of art that appeals to man's more evolved self, or he may shape the clay to become a piece of art that disturbs the sensitivities of modern man with a reminder of “the beast within.”

The sound effects used for the pottery and fire slides are intended to bring to life the beast emerging from the pottery pieces as well as the roar of fire that solidifies for centuries these works of art.

The idea of “the beast within” is not necessarily something that is taught, but may actually be something of which mankind has a subconscious awareness. For even in the work of the young and innocent, we see something animalistic in the depiction of the human face.

The order of the slides in this presentation is intended to move us from the past to the present, within two different genres. Moving from the past to the present is also helpful in showing that the fascination with atavism and shape-shifting has not lessened with time and the evolution of mankind – but is still present in the world of today.


WORKS CITED
Edwards, Emily D. Metaphysical Media, The Occult Experience in Popular Culture. Southern Illinois University, 2005.

Albert Hodge Pottery photographs courtesy of “Cotton” Ketchie: Landmark Galleries, Mooresville, North Carolina.