Interpreting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art and Artefacts
The artefacts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, common with other ethnic peoples, have to be understood not simply as objects that can be described in terms of their physical characteristics and the use made of them, but also as objects that have cultural, historical and religious signi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Institute for the Study of Values and Spirituality
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Methexis |
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| Online Access: | https://methexisjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/John-Ozolins.pdf |
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| Summary: | The artefacts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, common with other
ethnic peoples, have to be understood not simply as objects that can be
described in terms of their physical characteristics and the use made of
them, but also as objects that have cultural, historical and religious
significance. It is crucial that we see artefacts not just starkly as having
utilitarian purposes, but immersed in an Aboriginal world in which they
will have different meanings, if not uses, for different Aboriginal
communities. It is also important to realise that every Aboriginal
community will have prohibitions on outsiders knowing certain things
which are sacred to that community and which only designated members of
the community can know. Unless individuals are members of that
community, they will not be privy to their secret matters. This is to preserve
the value of not only certain ceremonies and rituals, but also specific
designs, totems and objects. This means that the significance of the
artefacts considered below can only be partially understood since our ability
to enter the world of a specific Aboriginal community is limited. We remain
outsiders and even if invited into the community we can only participate in
the community to the extent allowed by the taboos, rituals and laws of the
community. This does not mean, however, that we cannot appreciate and
admire the aesthetic and cultural value that these artefacts have. We will
consider the following artefacts that are distinctly part of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander culture and tradition: (i) the boomerang, (ii) the
woomera, (iii) a cave painting and (iv) a piece of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander art. We will draw on Heidegger’s conception of Dasein and Being to help understand and interpret these artefacts in the context of the
Dreaming and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
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| ISSN: | 2810-465X 2821-6377 |