UNIT I

Functionalism:The Artist as Craftsperson and the Function of Art

Cave Art

OBJECTIVES:

1. Be able to discuss various theories about the possible function of cave art in upper Paleolithic culture.

2. Be able to discuss the various disciplinary resources used to study the Paleolithic era, and the nature of the evidence we have about Paleolithic culture.

3. Be able to appraise Paleolithic cave art from the point of view of functionalism: can this art be considered "beautiful" and/or successful at achieving its goal/purpose?

4. Be able to discuss various theories about how the cave art was produced.

OUTLINE

I. Cave Art in the Paleolithic Era

A. Dates

B. Paleolithic Culture: The Cave as Dwelling

i) Neanderthal Sites: The Shanidar Cave burial ground
ii) Social Bonds C. Cro-Magnon Culture
i) The First Artist
ii) Tool-making as an art form
iii) Cave Art: A Visual Tour of the Cave Art of Lascaux and Altimira
iv) Purpose of the Cave Art?

a) Layers of Paintings
b) Location of Lascaux paintings in the cave
c) The Shaft of the Dead Man: comparison to Aborigine rites
d) The Sorcerer from Tres Freres
e) Humans and Nature in the Paleolithic Era

v). How was it made?
vi) Role of the Artist in Relation to the Art

D. Humans and Nature: The Venus Figurines

II. Modern Hunters and Gatherers

A. The !Kung

B. Aborigines