“BEADS, BODY, & SOUL: ART & LIGHT IN THE YORÙBÁ UNIVERSE”

Dr. Roxanne Farrar

 

This Lecture & Active Learning Workshop is based upon a traveling exhibition of Yorùbá Bead Art, organized and developed by the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History.  This is the first exhibition to focus on a wide range of  Yorùbá beadwork traditions--both past and present--in Africa and the Diaspora.  This exhibit is the result of over 25 years of research by the exhibition’s curators and consultants.

“BEADS, BODY, & SOUL: ART & LIGHT IN THE YORÙBÁ UNIVERSE” EXHIBITION SCHEDULE:

                1/25-7/19/98:                       Fowler Museum, Los Angeles

                2/6-4/11/99:                         Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta    

                Summer 1999:                   The Miami Art Museum

                1/29-4/30/2000:  The Elvehjiem Museum of Art, University of Wisconson-Madison

RELATED PUBLICATIONS:         Exhibition Catalogue (228 pp., $ 35 softcover).

                                                                Excellent article in African Arts journal (Winter 1998).

 

I.          INTRODUCTION TO COLOR THEORY (“CHROMATICS”):

                A.            The Physical Science of Color Perception

                B.            Color Perception & Deception: Color Psychologies in Multicultural Contexts (Intro)

II.        YORÙBÁ CHROMATICS: Art & Life in Yorùbá Universe: 

            A.        Introducing the YORÙBÁ (pronounced: your´ruhb´-ah):

                                The Yorùbá people of West Africa and their many American descendents share a

                                magnificent artistic heritage.  Since the 11th century, Yorùbá city-state kingdoms, with

                                their highly developed art and religion, flourished in West Africa in what is now

                                Southwestern Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.  The Yorùbá language is spoken by

                                over 15 million people! The Yorùbá TODAY continue the time-honored traditions of

                                their ancient ancestors.  For them, THE WORLD BEGAN AT ILE-IFE...

            B.        VIDEO: The World Began at Ile-Ife: Meaning & Function in Yorùbá Art:

                                This 18-minute video was produced on the occasion of the exhibition “Yorùbá: Nine

                                Centuries of African Art & Thought” held at The Art Institute of Chicago 2/10-4/1/90. 

                                The video includes photos, film, and music from the field INTERWOVEN with the

                                CREATION MYTH OF THE YORÙBÁ.

            C.        “Beads, Body, & Soul: Art & Life in the Yorùbá Universe”:

                                i.              The Physical & Spiritual Dimensions of Beads as Material Objects

                                ii.            Yorùbá Color Theory: Religion & Psychology:

                                                FUN-FUN            =             “white”                =             icy cold colors & emotions

                                                PUPA                    =             “red”                     =             fiery colors & emotions

                                                DÚDU                  =             “black”                =             earthy colors & emotions

                                iii.           Beads as Marks of Distinction:   “CONCEALING & REVEALING”:

                                                BEADWORK IN YORÙBÁ-LAND:

            D.        Bead-Work as a Philosophy of Life (Yorùbá-Land & the Diaspora):

                                i.             Ayé  lojà, òrun nilé.  (“Life in this world is a Journey, the Otherworld is Home.”)

                                ii.            Òrun and Ayé:                   Òrun     =             the invisible, spiritual realm

                                                                                                Ayé        =             the visible, tangible world

                                iii.           The Spiritual Significance of Interlace Design

                                iv.           The Diaspora: Yorùbá in the Americas

            E.         Âse:  The Performative Function of Yorùbá Bead-Work as a Metaphor

III.       YORÙBÁ -INSPIRED ACTIVE-LEARNING WORKSHOP:

                A.            Personality Review:  Think about your own personality in terms of Yorùbá  chromatics.

                B,            Create a Yorùbá-inspired Beaded Ring “Self-Portrait” according to Yorùbá chromatics.

                C.            Write a paragraph explaining your “Ring Self-Portrait” in terms of Yorùbá chromatics.

FAP YORÙBÁ LECTURE: SLIDE LIST                                                       Roxanne Farrar

 

YORÙBÁ LECTURE: SLIDE LIST

 

I.          INTRODUCTION TO COLOR THEORY (“CHROMATICS”):

                A.            The Physical Science of Color Perception Slides:

1.                             PRISM/SPECTRUM

2.                             OPTICAL ILLUSION (FLAG)

                B.            Color Perception & Deception: Color Psychologies in Multicultural Contexts (Intro):

3.                             EUROPEAN:      MONET, WOMEN IN THE GARDEN (1866)

4.                             JAPANESE:        SHUNKOSAI HOKUEI, THE LANTERN GHOST OF OIWA  (c. 1835)

II.         YORÙBÁ CHROMATICS: Art & Life in Yorùbá Universe:     

            A.        Introducing the YORÙBÁ (pronounced: your’rub’-ah):

5.                             King’s Head (13th century, Ife)

6.                             Map of Africa

7.                             Yorùbâ Carved Door (c. 19th century)

*                              BLANK SLIDE (DURING VIDEO)

            B.         VIDEO: The World Began at Ile-Ife  (18 minutes)

VIDEO:                The World Began at Ile-Ife: Meaning & Function in Yorùbâ Art  (18 minutes total)

            C.        “Beads, Body, & Soul: Art & Life in the Yorùbá Universe”:

                i.              The Physical & Spiritual Dimensions of Beads as Material Objects

8.                             Beaded Throne

                ii.            Yorùbá Color Theory: Religion & Psychology:

                                FUN-FUN             =             “white”                =             icy cold colors & emotions

9.                             Handbag & Shoes (USE SHOES FOR “PUPA” & “DúDU” BELOW)

                                PUPA                    =             “red”                     =             fiery colors & emotions

                                DÚDU   =             “black”                 =             earthy colors & emotions

                iii.           Beads as Marks of Distinction:     “CONCEALING & REVEALING”:

                                BEADWORK IN YORÙBÁ-LAND:

10.                          Beaded Bag, Bottle, Necklace

11.                          Great Crown

            D.        Yorùbá Bead-Work as a Philosophy of Life:

                                i.             Ayé  lojà, òrun nilé.  (“Life in this world is a Journey, the Otherworld is Home.”)

12.                          Egungun Ensemble

13.                          Egungun Dancers: Elewe Group

                                ii.            Òrun and Ayé:                   Òrun      =             the invisible, spiritual realm

                                                                                                Ayé        =             the visible, tangible world

14.                          Ceremonial Sword & Sheath

                                iii.           The Spiritual Significance of Interlace Design

15.                          Beaded Cap

                                iv.           The Diaspora: Yorùbá in the Americas

16.                          Map of the African Diaspora

17.                          Yorùbá in the Americas: Hunter’s Banner;  Quiver & Arrows

18.                          Yorùbá in the Americas: Jose Rodriguez, Great Crown

19.                          Yorùbá in the Americas: Crown for Osóòsi

            E.         Âse:  The Performative Function of Yorùbá Bead-Work:

20.                          Yorùbá Twins Sculpture

21.                          Yorùbá Beaded Gourd Drum

III.       YORÙBÁ -INSPIRED ACTIVE-LEARNING WORKSHOP:

CD:                        MUSIC:                While working, listen to Saharan Mbira Music & other traditional

                                                                                African Music (World Music CD)