Final Project Research (1): Starting From Ancient Egypt

Wednesday: five more days to generate my final project idea.

 

I had a clear mind when walking by the bookshelves in ADM Library.

  1. I am eager to learn from the best art.
  2. Among all the colorful books and massive pieces of ideas, can I find a limited set that all the others are originated from?

 

I was lucky to found the fasciation in Ancient Egypt, Babylon and Near East Arts.

(Source: All the pictures are taken from the following four books)

img_7211

  1. Eternal Egypt : treasures from the British Musuem / Singapore exhibition presented by the National Heritage Borad ; organised by the Asian Civilisations Musuem = 永恒的古埃及 : 大英博物馆藏 / 新加坡展覧由新加坡國家文物局主辦 ; 亞洲文明博物館籌劃. (@ADM Lib. N5350.E83E)
  2. Beyond Babylon : art, trade, and diplomacy in the second millennium B.C. / edited by Joan Aruz, Kim Benzel, and Jean M. Evans.(@ADM Lib. N5345.B573)
  3. The British museum masterpieces of ancient Egypt / Nigel Strudwick. (@ADM Lib. N5350.S927)
  4. Art of the ancient Near East : a resource for educators / Kim Benzel … [et al.]. (@ADM Lib. N5345.A784)

 


The Aesthetic

The principles of design are proved not to be a modern invention, but the agreed perceotion of beauty.

  1. Balance | Movement & Static, angular & circula:img_7118(3800-3700 B.C. | Iran)

img_7137 img_7134Cylinder Seals | (1300s B.C.)

 

2. Sysmetryimg_7150Cylinder Seals | (1400-1300 B.C.)

img_7120(2200-2100 B.C.)

 

3. Patternimg_7189 img_7145Headdress | (1479-1425 B.C.)

img_7159(1625-1525 B.C.)

img_7148Glazed Tiles | (1184-1153 B.C.)

 

4. Repetition | Alternating:img_7131(1000-1400 B.C.)

img_7171-smallWalking Figure Of An Official | (1275 B.C. | Egypt)

img_7173(Back of) Mummy Mask | (1000 B.C.)

 

5. Rhythm | Alternating:img_7163Helmet | (1500-1400 B.C.)

img_7165Wall Painting Fragment | (1625-1525 B.C.)

 

6. Rhythm | Progressive:img_7183Mummy Mask | (1000 B.C.)

 

7. The Golden Rati0:img_7168

 

8. Complementary Color:img_7122(1325-1450 B.C.)

img_7186(1350 B.C.)

img_7140Beads | (1300s B.C.)

 


The Playful

Despite circumscribed environment and arduous process, our ancestors created splendid artworks from meticulous observation and unconstrained imagination.

  1. Vivd expression from simple carving:img_7125Relief Vwsswl (1800s B.C.)

 

2. Animals -> Functions:img_7142Axe | (1340-1300 B.C.)

img_7127Game Board (the dogs, pigs, foxes, mice are discernible)| (1981-1802 B.C.)

img_7129Horse Shaped Handle (what an ingenious design with the hoof!) | (1350-1400 B.C.)

img_7155Ivory Cosmetic Spoon (from the neck and shoulder I saw the power of the tiger) | Egypt

img_7157 Ivory Mechanical Dog (pressing the handle below the bellow will triger the mouse to open) | Egypt (1390-1352 B.C.)

img_7175(1985-1795 B.C.)

img_7152Duck Shaped Vessels

 


The Perspective

From 3D to 2D:img_7181Mask (notice the ears and hair, the stereo mask is flaten) | (1500 B.C.)

From 2D to 1D:img_7190

(Could’t I abandon my knowledge of perspective as well as the long-rooted impression of nature environment? Start to obseve everything as alienate, to record each detail and with surprise)


The Reflection

At the end of the day, the world surrounds me seemed newborn. I look up to the ancient artworks and I want to share with you. Let’s pay our highest respect to the artisans who had spent their whole lifetime to understand nature and illustrate their devine presence.

At the end of the day, I felt their wonder and appreciation of the world. How facinating it is being an observer and creator!

Author: Skye Yang

Hey I am a Programmer and Graphic Designer!

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