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Study of an Artefact

Study of an Artefact. Hanuman Bronze Statue. By Hannah, Edward and Lauren. Questions. What might people use this artefact for?. Why do you think he has his hands together?. Do you like the look of this object?. What do you think is the meaning of this object?.

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Study of an Artefact

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  1. Study of an Artefact Hanuman Bronze Statue By Hannah, Edward and Lauren

  2. Questions What might people use this artefact for? Why do you think he has his hands together? Do you like the look of this object? What do you think is the meaning of this object? What is the first thing that strikes you about the object?

  3. The Artefact • 6.5” (17cm) in height • Bronze • 650g • Form of a monkey

  4. Variations • Size - home, temple, landmark • Material - appropriate for function

  5. Function • Is used for worship • Decoration - adorned with candles and flowers • Prayer - strength and wisdom

  6. Features • Barefoot • Thurible/weapon • Lotus flower • Pedestal

  7. Construction • Imperfections • Hand made • Bought from a government store made up of Indian crafts

  8. History/Environmental Context • Object’s own history • This object was purchased within the Bangalore region of South India. • It was bought from a government store, specialising in selling Indian crafts. • This particular statue of Hanuman has travelled back the UK where it is kept as an ornament within the home. Object’s use in time and place • Traditionally statues of deities such as Hanuman are used by devotees for devotional worship by Hindu people within the home. • More recently there is a trend for Westerners to collect them as keepsakes of their experiences within the Hindu culture.

  9. History/Environmental Context Object’s subsequent history The statue of Hanuman is still very much used as a physical representation of God and worshipped by devotees. However the image of Hanuman as been used for other purposes, as Smith (2003) discusses, the image of Hanuman has been adopted by a Hindu Nationalist Group, specifically “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps, RSS), founded by K.B Hedgewar in 1925” (Smith: 2003: 28).

  10. History/Environmental Context Object’s micro and macro context Micro context Such an example of an artefacts use in the micro context would be an individual Hindu’s worship within the home. The Hindu devotee is free to choose with who they place their devotion, but once they have chosen, a very real relationship develops forthwith, with the devotee using a concrete object to focus their emotions and intellect (Smith: 2003). Although particular worship of this object is likely to vary within local customs, what is very real for believers of the Hindu faith is that God is present within such a representation of their God (Klostermaier: 1998). Macro context Within the wider context, this artefact would be used for communal worship, possibly in a temple built for the particular God in question, which is considered to be “the highest act of devotion” (Klostermaier: 1998). The other way in which this image is utilised within the macro context is within festival celebrations and is referred to as Hanuman Jayanti. There is a festival that celebrates the birth of Hanuman (the monkey God). Hanuman is considered ‘famous’ for his learning, power, selflessness and devotion; during the festival of Hanuman Jayanti a period of strict fasting and celibacy are observed (Sharma: 1978).

  11. History/Environmental Context Object’s relationship with other objects + typology The image of Hanuman is often associated with the God Rama and his wife Sita. Within the Ramayana (Sacred Hindu text speaking of teh life of Rama) Hanuman assists Rama in rescuing his wife Sita and is an important feature within this text (Buck: 1976, Brockington: 1985). As thanks for Hanuman’s devotion, he is always worshipped alongside Lord Rama, Lakshamana and Sita (Sharma: 1978). Hanuman’s role as a devotee is strongly bound with other Hindu deities; Lord Rama in particular. It therefore is logical to conclude that these artefacts could form a typology that is observed within an individual exhibitions.

  12. Significance • Religion - Hindu God • Education • Multicultural Society • Hindu life - the symbol of strength and energy. • Hanuman said "I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to serve Rama, to do His work. By the command of Lord Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Lord Rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if it comes while serving Lord Rama." What is Hanuman’s significance to us today?

  13. Significance Aesthetic Value • Made of Bronze • Gold finish • Solemn and Calm looking • Dressed as the King’s servant • Thurible/weapon • Bare feet - in the temple • Platform - importance • Jewellery “… indicate how we live, what we do, and who we would like to think we are” (Hooper-Greenhill, 2000: p.104)

  14. Significance Cultural Value “Objects embody unique Information about the Nature of man in Society… make to our Understanding of Ourselves (Pearce, 1994: p.125) • Worshipping statue for the home • Bigger statues are found in temples or where Hindu’s can see him daily. • A popular God in the Hindu faith. Hindu’s follow Hanuman’s way of life. “… one consequence of our evolution as cultural beings has been an increasing dependence on objects for survival and comfort” (Csikszentmihalyi, 1993: p.20)

  15. Significance Emotional Significance • Celebration of Hanuman’s birth • Hinduism, worship • Faith • Karma • Spiritual “Objects enable reflection and speculation” (Hooper-Greenhill, 2000: p.108).

  16. Significance Social Function “Objects are all-pervasive in human social life, and society as we understand it couldnot exist without them” (Pearce, 1992: p.21) Religious belief and worship Caste System Reincarnation

  17. Significance Political Context • Polytheistic and Atheistic Beliefs • Land ownership from British rule • Non-violent protests led by Gandhi

  18. Promoting alternate interpretations through Fictional Narratives Film Not only has the story of Hanuman and the Ramayana been retold in a television series aired in India, Hanuman has a plethora of film interpretations to himself in his own right. There are several cartoon interpretations that could be appropriate to use with children as they would be appealing to them. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IShF-NB-5Ig&feature=related)

  19. Promoting alternate interpretations through Fictional Narratives Music The traditional interpretation of songs specifically with reference to Hanuman are generally of the devotional description. However, even this type of devotional song is evolving. For example, Amitabh Bachchan, who is an Indian Bollywood actor announced that he would be recording an updated version of the Hanuman Chalisa (sacred song, sung to Hanuman) for kids. (http://www.allbollywood.com/news/2008/710/amitabh_bachchan_330821.shtml http://www.liveindia.com/amitabh/10july08.html: Accessed 23/05/2010).

  20. Promoting alternate interpretations through Fictional Narratives Stories The story of Hanuman can be interpreted in different ways, as we have shown, especially in ways that make the idea of Hanuman the Monkey God, more accessible for children. The following books have interpreted the story of Hanuman in a way in which the authors feel the children will understand.

  21. Questions?? What might people use this artefact for? Why do you think he has his hands together? Do you like the look of this object? What do you think is the meaning of this object? What is the first thing that strikes you about the object?

  22. Bibliography • http://www.allbollywood.com/news/2008/710/amitabh_bachchan_330821.shtml (Accessed 23/05/2010). • http://www.liveindia.com/amitabh/10july08.html (Accessed 23/05/2010). • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IShF-NB-5Ig&feature=related (Accessed 23/05/2010). • Brockington, J. L. (1985) Righteous Rama: The Evolution of an Epic. London: Oxford University Press. • Buck, W. (1976) Ramayana. London: University of California Press. • Cszikszentmihayli, M. (1993) ‘What we needs things’ in Lubar, S. & Kingery, D. (eds) History from Things. Essay on material cuture. Washington and London: Smithsonian Institution Press (pp. 20-29) • Gavin, J. (1998) Monkey in the Stars. London: Mammoth • Hooper-Greenhill, E. (2000) Museums and thr Interpretation of visual culture London and New York: Routledge (Chapter 5) • Klostermaier, K. K. (1998) A Short Introduction to Hinduism. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. • Pearce, M. S. (ed) (1994) Interpreting Objects and Collections London: Routledge (Chapter 18) • Pearce, M. S. (1992) Museums objects and collections -A Cultural Study Leicester: Leicester University Press (Chapter 2) • Rose, J. (unknown) Hindu Story and Symbol. Isleworth: BFSS National RE centre • Sing, R. and Singh, J. (1988) The Amazing Adventures of Hanuman. London: BBC Books. • Sharma, B. N. (1978) Festivals of India. New Delhi: Shakti Malik • Smith, D. (2003) Hinduism and Modernity. Oxford Publications

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