The body as artistic and cultural expression Research Paper

The organic structure as stratagemistic and cultural expression - Research Paper ExampleFrom the extreme examples like punk, to universe selective in the colour or design of the dress one wears- em soundbox art has supposedly normal and not so normal manifestations. Shildkrout (2001) in the article, Body Art as Visual Language, has revealed the cardinal impulse behind the use of ashes as an artistic and cultural expression, if the impulse to create art is one of the defining signs of humanity, the consistency may well have been the first canvas (pp.1). Body painting, brighten up, body shaping, hair styling, scarification, tattooing, piercing, and dressing up in clothes constitute the expansive genre of body art. The functional aspect of body art has been described as supporting to rebel, to follow fashion, or to hornswoggle and experiment with new identities (Shildkrout, 2001, pp.2). Apart from this functional aspect, the use of body as a starting forefront in artistic expr ession has gone rather unexplored. This essay envisages finding out the connection mingled with body art and artistic expression and presupposes that the rebellion-aspect of body art inspires artistic expressions while the tradition-aspect blocks it. If we consider severally kind of body art separately, it can be seen that different hearts are associated with different kinds of body art. For example, body painting can farm the kayo, impart a divine countenance, provide protection, masquerade and establish a group identity. Similarly, create up has the function of increasing visual appeal, providing a false identity or concealing the original one, as well as establishing authority and status. Hair styling in addition can enhance beauty appeal, establish a group identity or visualize rebellion. Body shaping ranges from the ancient practice of skull shaping to the modern plastic surgery, all of which again has multiple functionalities. Scarification, tattooing and piercing have more(prenominal) to do with group identity and rebellion. But there are also less visible uses of body art like the use of piercing as a religious ritual and the use of make up to convey codified meaning as in Kabuki theatre (Shildkrout, 2001, pp.2-4). Body art has a great many things to do with our everyday lives and it is this aspect that brightens up the narrative of Meeta Kaur in her autobiographical essay, move By Inner Light (2006). Here, the basic emotions associated with body art are discussed, which is after all virtually being happy and content about ones own self. Kaur (2006) has started her essay by describing the beauty of her mothers hair, the good care that her mother gives it and the passing over of this tradition to herself (pp.39). This is a sort example of how artistic expression is evident in our everyday lives. As the narrative progresses, the reader accommodate aware of the cultural identity that is associated with long hair, for Kaurs mother and herself (2006, pp.40). Kaurs being a migrator family from India to America, she believes that her mothers long hair is an allegiance to a homeland (2006, pp.40). Kaur (2006) also has remarked that her mothers hair is a light that provides a sense of place and home between any borders, on any soil, whether she is in India, America, or any other country (pp.40). It can be seen that in this instance, body art as simple as maintaining ones hair long has a meaning that is deep-rooted in tradition. The second encounter of Kaur (2006) with body art is when she goes back to India, and in a queer book, sees the picture of the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur, (in) a navy blue turban and a golden garment and (having) a long silky beard talking about religious freedom (pp.41). This visual also reminds how body art can impart great status to a persons appearance. The