Gold Art

Gold was an integral component of Asante art and belief. Considered an earthly counterpart to the sun, it was the physical manifestation of life's vital force, or "soul" (kra), and was incorporated into the ruler's regalia to represent his purity and vigor. At the political level, gold indicated the kingdom's dominance over rivals. Much gold entered the Asante court via tribute or war, and was worked there by artisans from conquered territories who introduced regional 

sculptural forms that were adopted for official use at the kingdom's capital in Kumasi. The court's sovereign power was further displayed through its regulation of the regional gold trade.

The king's Golden Stool, which was, and remains, the primary symbol of the Asante nation, illustrates this precious metal's cultural resonance. Court histories state that in 1701, as Osei Tutu was sitting beneath a tree, the Golden Stool descended from the sky and came to rest in his lap, a divine gesture in support of his rule. A wooden form covered in gold sheets and hung with bells (to warn the ruler of impending danger), this artifact is no functional seat but rather a metaphor for the power of the Akan state. At court ceremonies, the stool is displayed on its own European-style chair set on a mat of elephant hide. As an icon of the Asante kingdom, it functions like a national flag, embodying the political and cultural soul of the nation. Other stools, also made of wood but decorated with intricate carving and metal inlay, were the prerogative of loyal and esteemed chiefs (1986.478.2). Upon their deaths, these stools were blackened with smoke and ritual offerings and placed on an altar, where they served as conduits for communication with a deceased leader's spirit.

Numerous art forms displayed at court were made of gold. Cast gold disks called akrafokonmu ("soul washer's disk") (L.1982.92) were protective emblems worn by important members of the court, including royal attendants known as akrafo, or "soul washers." Individuals selected for this title were beautiful men and women born on the same day of the week as the king. They ritually purified and replenished the king's, and thus the nations, vital powers. Another insignia of courtly power were afena, curved swords with distinctive gold-covered hilts and pommels worn by high-ranking individuals. An Akan sculpture of a seated chief from the Museum's collection illustrates this emblem of power (1980.429). Cast gold ornaments exhibiting imagery of political and martial supremacy dangled from sword hilts and scabbards and enhanced the prestige of those who wore them. Finally, court linguists who acted as the king's advisers and spokesmen carried gold-covered wooden staffs of office called kyeame poma. As early as the nineteenth century, these staffs displayed elaborately carved finials portraying political symbols and motifs from Akan proverbial lore (1986.475a-c).

Tattoo making is Art

Tattooing is one of the oldest art forms known to man. It is a type of body modification that involves creating permanent words or images on the skin. In order to get these images on the skin, ink must be injected under the surface of the skin, by piercing it with a small needle.

In ancient times, tattoos were not only applied for decoration, but they were also held symbolic significance as well. Some tattoos were applied because they had religious meaning, for instance, while others were status symbols. At a few points in history, tattoos were even used to mark slaves, as well as prisoners and other criminals.

Today, tattoos are generally used as a form of decoration and self-expression. Some modern tattoos can be quite simple, while others may be very elaborate. Different images can range from simple flowers and cartoon characters, to more ornate portraits and scenes. While not every tattoo has a deep meaning to its wearer, most tattoos still signify something. Individuals will usually choose a tattoo that means something to them, such as an important turning point in their lives.

Art on Nails

Create beautiful artistic designs at home using our easy to use nail kits and image plates. Our nail stamping image plates are simple to use good value and available in unique and original designs for both modern and classic style nails.

Our collection includes salon pro nail kits for intricate nail art, nail buffers, nail correctors, nail stickers nail applicators, long lasting nail varnish and easy to use princess nail kits for the beginner. We have over 750 individual nail art designs to suit everyone including rhinestones and glitter finishes. MoYou nail varnish comes in the latest bright colors including blue, pink and silver as well as classic neutral styles.

It’s called The Nail Artelier (atelier with an extra ‘r’ to emphasis that we’re all about art, on top of the connotations of the word atelier, which refers to a studio where fine craft is created) and it’s located at 48 Haji Lane, which is an amazingly vibrant neighborhood and truly one of the coolest places to be at.

Hairstyles: Is Art

As time progresses, people seem to be finding some very interesting ways to show off their uniqueness.Hairstyles are one of the most intriguing ways that people are doing this. Unlike some other methods of showing off style, a hairstyle can easily be changed if the person doesn't like the way it looks.

Tattoos and piercings are permanent reminders of your uniqueness. They can prevent you from getting a job if they are in places that are visible. If you choose to show your uniqueness through a hairstyle, you can always take it down in favor a more subtle hairstyle while you work.

Some people have come up with some really interesting hairstyles. This blog has a post with 15 unique hairstyles. It is simply amazing how they made their hair do these things. Some of the pictures look more like works of art than hairstyles. There is a walrus, an elephant, and a guitar.

The first thought that comes to mind when looking at those pictures is about how long they had to sit still to get the styles in. Can you imagine having to sit still for hours to make your hair look a bird's nest? Some women have hair that looks like a rat's nest naturally, but not a bird's nest like the one in the blog post.

Yes, unique hairstyles are fascinating. Trying to come up with something you can be proud of that shows off your personality can't be easy. Trying to come up with a plan to make that hairstyle come to fruition is probably even more difficult than coming up with the idea. It would take a real artist to make a lot of these styles.

Taking it down would probably take a considerable amount of time. It isn't like these hairstyles can be taken down in just a few swipes of the comb. You would have to know how the hairstyle went up so that you could work backwards to take it down. Making a mistake would probably be horrible because all the hair would probably get really tangled. It may even be so tangled that it would have to be cut out.

Art and MakeUp

 Discovery of makeup came  through the desire to apply it on  others through helping reinforce  & enhance one's sense of self.  More presently, on print +  production jobs, a large part of my  role is still to help people feel more  confident, thus calm, when on  camera. {As promptly as possible}

I feel valued to be a source in the process of art and creation.

On assignments, personal + professional, my approach is to establish an accurate comprehension of styling + concept thus allowing me to integrate looks accordingly. As these are established, makeup + hair simply become an extension {an addendum} to the art direction.

Aurangzeb and Later Mughal Architecture and Art

Aurangzeb and Later Mughal Architecture

During Aurangzeb's reign (r. 1658 - 1707), brick and rubble with stucco ornamentation replaced squared stone and marble as the building materials of choice. 

Aurangzeb was responsible for additions to the Lahore Fort and also built one of the thirteen gates, which was named for him, and the Badshahi mosque, a structure constructed from brick with red sandstone facades.

 In general, however, Mughal architecture had begun to decline during Aurangzeb's reign, a process that would accelerate after his death.

Art and Architecture in Shah Jahan Reign

Architecture under Shah Jahan

The vision of Shah Jahan (r. 1628 - 1658) introduced a delicate elegance and detail to Mughal architecture, illustrated in the Jama Masjid in Delhi, the Moti Masjid situated within the Agra Fort, and the Sheesh Mahal in the Lahore Fort, which makes spectacular use of pietra dura and complex mirror work. His most famous achievement, however, is indisputably the Taj Mahal.

Located in Agra, India, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum built between 1632 and 1648 by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed by twenty thousand men, it represents the Islamic garden of paradise, and is widely regarded as Mughal architecture's greatest achievement.

The mausoleum rests in the middle of a large square plinth and has four almost identical facades, each with a large arch-shaped doorway. It is topped by a large double dome and a finial, combining both the traditional Islamic motif of the crescent moon and the Hindu symbol of the trident, associated with the god Shiva. The central dome is adorned with a lotus design and is surrounded by four smaller chhatris, each of which also has the same lotus motif. Four tall minarets extend from the corners of the plinth.

The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal include calligraphy, abstract forms, verses from the Koran, and vegetable motifs, executed in paint, stucco, carvings, and pietra dura work. The interior decorations also feature inlay work featuring precious and semi-precious gemstones. Muslim tradition forbids elaborate decoration of graves and the bodies of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are interred in a plain crypt underneath the mausoleum. However, the inner tomb features two cenotaphs or false tombs that are richly decorated with inlays of semi-precious stones forming vines and flowers and surrounded by jali screens.