4 Worldviews

Worldview is the attitudes toward the natural world, creativity, and control. The Andeans had four worldviews: collectivity, reciprocity, transformation, and essence.

The first is collectivity which is focusing on the group over the individual. The Andeans main importance was the common good. This was manifested in their art as a general de-emphasis on portraiture. Particular features were not as important as was a person's role. I think that today this is more prevalent in other societies than it is in our own. In Japan if a person succeeds they look first to thank the others that helped. If a student receives an 'A' on a test it is because the teacher had a wonderful lesson plan or the parents helped their child and raised their child well or the student is smart because they attend an excellent school and then they look to themselves. If a student in our society succeeds it it because the student is smart and the student studied. America is a very individualistic culture, very different than the Andeans.

The second is reciprocity. This is their belief that one part is countered and connected to another. They believed that the stars in the sky were connected to life on earth, opposites are interlocked. The Inca showed this through their architecture. Inca architecture sculpts the earth in oppositions of light and shadow.

The third is transformation. I found this worldview to be the most interesting and also very similar to the Maya and Aztecs. They believed in the universe of transformation from one plane of existence to another. LIfe and death were not seen as separate categories but as an aspect of constant natural cycling. Seasons changing, planets moving, planets coming, and planets going. I immediately thought of flowers and blood. When a human gave their blood in sacrifice the gods would be pleased so more food would grow. With death comes life and with life comes death. Everything is beautifully connected and in sync. Andean art served to unite different planes and capture transformations. They had art of Shamans (priests) who metamorphized from humans to animals to supernaturals. Two things as one. I appreciate this worldview because I believe in change and transformation. In our society many people believe in reincarnation which is very similar to this view. Someone or something dying but coming back as something else.

The fourth worldview is the one that ties together all aspects of worldview, essence over appearance. Andean art focussed on symbolic reality and inner core over outward appearance. It was not necessarily important that an image be visible as it was for its essence to be conveyed. Art was created for its own sake not for an audience. They would even put their art in dark places. Essence is about inner quality. I wish this worldview was more prevalent in our culture today. I completely 100% believe in essence over appearance. I feel that essence should be the first focus and appearance always after. Essence is far more important. I believe a beautiful essence is harder for some to attain but once the essence is beautiful, the appearance will be too. My grandma always taught me that you can only be as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside. The essence of everything whether it be a person or something of nature or a piece of art should always be judged before the appearance. Essence over appearance is something every one should live by!

I really enjoyed reading these pages. I love that everything is connected with each other and with the earth. It is very much its own but it reminded a little bit of Buddhism as well. Each worldview is equally as important, they are very simple but very deep as well :)

Blog #3

This is the mask of Quetzalcoatl "the feathered serpent" or the Rain God Tlaloc. Both dieties are associated with serpents. This mask has two serpents, one in green turquoise and one in blue, that twist across the face and around the eyes, blending over the nose. The teeth are made out of shell. I think the Aztec masks represent the complex culture of the Aztec Empire. Most masks were made for display and not to be worn but they were sometimes worn during sacrifice ceremonies. In that case, the masks represent the Gods and symbolized death. This particular mask is my favorite because it is very beautiful. The emotion it evokes can be excitement or fear. I find it to be exciting because it can be interpreted in so many different ways. It is a little fearful because it does symbolize death, however the Aztecs did not fear death, they embraced it. I think the mask is a beautiful key to the Aztec culture, we see their devotion to art and their art style, the Aztec's often used turquoise. We are also able to see how they viewed their Gods. And their art incorporates specific symbols, like the serpent which symbolizes power. This mask gives the feeling of power, it appears very strong. I think it's really unique that every part of the mask means something. These masks were used as tribute to their very important Gods. In today's society, people wear masks in a different way. Wearing a mask can hide a person's real personality and real intentions. People also use masks to hide their insecurities. Masks can be used to hide imperfections, like how women use make-up. Today people wear masks as a part of a costume in order to appear like someone else. Masks are interesting and people definitely still wear them today, I just don't think they are as beautiful as the Aztec masks!