Ephemera
Critical Investigation
Culture:
Rangoli art is a colorful adornment on streets with intricate symbols. These are symbols that have a central role in the design and vary per region. Rangoli uses the background of a clear floor or wall. They can be created in such places like the middle of a yard, painted on walls, or made in corners of rooms. They are usually made on special occasions like Dawali. The designs are usually inspired by nature, but they can also be in the form of abstract art. Culture: In Chhattisgarh, India, Rangoli is drawn at the entrance of a house or any other building . The symbols are considered to be auspicious as it signifies good luck and prosperity on the buisness, house, and in the family. Patterns are created based on certain systems. During Diwali, women generally get up early in the morning and clean the entrance of their houses with cow dung, then sprinkle the area with a little bit of water. Afterwards, the women draw the Chaook. In the region of Maharashtra, Rangolis are drawn directly on the doors of homes because they beleive that evil forces attempting to enter their home are repelled. |
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"Rangoli: Welcome Mat Of The Gods." The Presurfer. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016. Festivities:
The festival of Onam in Kerala have flowers laid down for each of the ten days of celebration. Day by day, the design grows larger and larger, and more complex every day. The designs are outlined with white geometric and symmetrical shapes. The materials used to make the rangol are found easily everywhere. This makes Rangoli prevalent in all homes, rich or poor. Normally, the major ingredients used for the making are rice, dried powder made from the leaves color, charcoal, burned soil, and wood sawdust. |
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@NatGeoEducation. "Nat Geo Education Blog." Nat Geo Education Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016. Tradition: In Tamil Nadu, there is a myth that Andaal, an unwavering worshipper of Lord Thirumal, and was married to him in the month of Margazhi. Unmarried girls during Margazhi get up before dawn and draw a Rangoli to welcome the god Thirumal. Rangola has also been fund to be metioned in hindu culture. The origional cultural development of Rangoli in the South originated in the era of the "Chola Rulers". Since then, there have been modern transformations and traditional rangoli designs. |
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"Floor Art in Colored Sand for the Diwali Festival. - Picture of Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Mumbai (Bombay) - TripAdvisor." TripAdvisor. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016. Beliefs:
Dehri gateway is a tradition of making rangoli. The God's seat, depending on lamp, place of worship and sacrifice on the altar is a tradition of decorating rangoli. With time, imagination and innovative ideas in Rangoli art is also incorporated. Hospitality and tourism has also had its effect and rangoli has been commercially developed in places such as hotels. Its traditional charm, artistry and importance still remain. Traditionally, each new generation learns, thus a family keeps the tradition intact. Some major symbols used in Rangoli are the lotus flower, its leaves, mango, fish, different kind of birds species like parrots, swans, peacocks, and human figures and foliage. : |
Planning and Journaling
Sketches:
Experimentation:
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Process:
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Creating the Actual Piece:
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Reflecting:
The process of my piece was a lot more lengthy and complex than I predicted it to be. I needed to research different kinds of techniques and designs that I could use as a base template. This way, my piece seemed more closely to be identified with rangoli. Getting the materials wasn't as big of a challenge as it was to keep it from molding. I accidentally got moisture in the bag and had to recreate more. After I found time to actually create the piece, the weather didn't agree with me, so I adjusted to only having a small crowd. Once I started placing the flour down, I realized how difficult it was to actually get straight and concise lines.I visualized the home being of different colors to represent different people, where they come from, and their personalities. The peacock in the center is a symbol It represents luck, and all the admired human characteristics, such as integrity and the beauty we can achieve when we endeavor to show our true colors. In history, myth, legend and lore, the peacock is nobility, holiness, guidance, protection and watchfulness. The white outlining was not only there for decoration, but also to be of "guidance" in outlining and unifying everything. Overall, after applying the Rangoli techniques, the piece turned out nicer than I had anticipated, even coming out bigger as well. I learned a lot from this experience, and hope to create better ones in the future.
My intentions were to unite the community by appealing to their curiosity. Art would have been that medium. I wanted to prove a point in saying that art has a lot of influence. It can make strangers all congregate. It somewhat turned out that way. I used my friends and their friends that I didn't know in a more comfortable setting to entertain them, get them to get to know each other, and take away the experience with themselves while having a good time in the process. I believe that, even though it didn't quite turn out how I would have liked, its not about the artwork itself, it was about the experience.
My intentions were to unite the community by appealing to their curiosity. Art would have been that medium. I wanted to prove a point in saying that art has a lot of influence. It can make strangers all congregate. It somewhat turned out that way. I used my friends and their friends that I didn't know in a more comfortable setting to entertain them, get them to get to know each other, and take away the experience with themselves while having a good time in the process. I believe that, even though it didn't quite turn out how I would have liked, its not about the artwork itself, it was about the experience.
Critique:
There is a strong sense of connection between my inspiration and my piece and Rangoli art. Similarities between my piece and Rangoli art would be the designs. I used the peacock motif at the center to draw attention. I used swirls and granulated material with color to create the image, provide contrast, and unify and balance it. The purpose was to entertainer the viewer as it was being created, one of the reasons why Rangoli are made during festivals.
Differences between my piece and other Rangoli pieces would be that although the basic designs are similar, they are not the same.. The colors were less pigmented due to the fact that it was white and wouldn't be absorbed fully by the food coloring. The colors became softer, and actually made the piece look better that way.
Differences between my piece and other Rangoli pieces would be that although the basic designs are similar, they are not the same.. The colors were less pigmented due to the fact that it was white and wouldn't be absorbed fully by the food coloring. The colors became softer, and actually made the piece look better that way.
Conecting to ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause and effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
Traditionally, Rangoli is an adornment (commonly with animals and swirls for design) from India created on the street for people to see. These are made from colored granulated material such as chalk, sand, rice flower, etc. I used rice flower and created a similar design outdoors.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
Generally, Rangoli is a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. The designs ae shared with the public, especially during times of celebration, such as Diwali.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
The fact that everyone learns to create these and there are festivals tells that they have a great sense of comunity.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Drawing attention towards art and uniting people through human curiosity and apeal was a my inspiration.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
It's not really about the art. Art is a part of it, but more so it's about the intake on an experience. The way you perceive an experience might be different from what someone else may see through physical, environmental, and cultural aspects. As an artist, you need to take that into account.
Traditionally, Rangoli is an adornment (commonly with animals and swirls for design) from India created on the street for people to see. These are made from colored granulated material such as chalk, sand, rice flower, etc. I used rice flower and created a similar design outdoors.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
Generally, Rangoli is a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. The designs ae shared with the public, especially during times of celebration, such as Diwali.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
The fact that everyone learns to create these and there are festivals tells that they have a great sense of comunity.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Drawing attention towards art and uniting people through human curiosity and apeal was a my inspiration.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
It's not really about the art. Art is a part of it, but more so it's about the intake on an experience. The way you perceive an experience might be different from what someone else may see through physical, environmental, and cultural aspects. As an artist, you need to take that into account.