The Body as Art

During the summer, we asked Interns Emma, Gabrielle, Brendan and Jessica to create a virtual collection by collecting digital images of some aspect of the library collection to be decided by them. For example, they could collect images of bookplates in the collection, of details on binding, books with funny titles, or books on a particular subject – the possibilities were endless. On July 31, at the Library Open House, each collection was presented. This week we're posting the last collection from this summer. Thanks to our Summer interns for all of their hard work!

This week’s collection comes from Jessica Dame who is a student at Christopher Newport University. Jessica described her collection “The Body as Art” as follows:

"Since the beginning of time, the human body has been an important part of art and has been expressed in endless ways. From early cave paintings of stick-like figures, to complex life-like sculpture and paintings that capture veins, muscles, curves and angles. The body is crucial to art. For many artists the human body, in all its conditions, is the focus of their work.

After spending time in the Jean Outland Library, I began to find great examples of masquerade, fashion and costume; from runways in metropolitan cities to the lesser know parts of the world where the body has always been used in expression.

I came across images of masquerade dancers in the Congo, the Dance of Tumbu in Guinea, and the Mancrab dancer of the Caribbean. Masquerades blend art and symbolism to make magnificent costumes for performance. In the world of fashion, as with masquerades, there are no limits but the catwalk or photo shoot becomes the canvas which designers and photographers show off their art. Examples are the elegant and sometimes controversial designs of Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, Gaultier and other designers.

Across cultures, through art work of the body, one can see what is considered beautiful, acceptable in a society at that time period. Statements can be made about life, spirituality, sexuality, and society.

So what happens when the body is no longer limited to a flat surface or stiff marble and rock? What if it could walk, run or dance? Then that would be art brought to life. "

You can view all of the images in Jessica's collection here.