Thich nu Tinh Quang
African “Power Figures” were
found in Democratic Republic of Congo. These figures were used a variety of
media rattan, woods, ceramics, and glass. Their works incorporate the study of
the classical art of Africa and refer to Africa cultural history.
When
person buys a wooden sculpture, often anthropomorphic or zoomorphic in shape,
they are believed to have the power to uncover sources of affliction, to heal,
to protect and even to punish, so they applied of power ingredients; these
objects include cloth strips, cowries heels, beads, rope, and nail in order
that it becomes more powerful. For example, Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi) statue
is a hunter (nkondi); his upraised arm originally held a knife, so the purpose
of this figure was to “hun down,” punishes wrongdoers and evil spirits. The
purchasers added many things to gain several powers from it. Another culture
that has used “Power Figures” in their society is Tibetan culture. In
traditional Tibetan, Thangkas are the Bodhisattvas who gained their inner
freedom through meditations and can help people escaping from suffer. The
Tibetans believed Thangkas can help them having happy life. They could use a
Thangka as a reference for the details of posture, altitude, colour,
clothing….of a figure located in a field, or in a temple or their family.
Thangka was painted on a silk cover, leather corners, wooden dowels at the top
and bottom and metal or wooden decorative knobs on the bottom dowel. The
Thangka was showed in different postures, which would correspond with people’s
mind. In Wrathful Deity-Vajrapani, Thangka was painted on silver; it has
a symbolic meaning to exterminate the fire of devils and desires. When this
painting was decorated in believers’ house, the monks help the purchasers by a
prayer meeting on the first day, so the Thangka painting have more power, and
their lives will better. Today, some power figures are still in every culture
and religion; however, the important power which impact in society is science.
The human are the power figures that would create serious risks to
economy and environment and can protect the environment from the dangerous
threats. Besides, to some people, the values of powers are based on the leading
persons as famous singers, actors, footballers, politicians… and the idolaters
created a new idea in art, such as tattoo or drawing on T-Shirt to adore their
“power figures.” The Los Angeles Pop Art Barack Obama 'Yes We Can' Women's
Speech T-Shirt is also a new phenomenon.s
Sources: http//www.africadirect.com
Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)-Origin: Democratic Repulic of Congo-Tribe: Kongo
Nkisi
Nkondi - (Power Figure)
Warthful Deity-Vajrapani
Los
Angeles Pop Art Barack Obama 'Yes We Can' Women's Speech T-shirt
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