Airport-art is a no-go? Right?
Once a collector said "I don't want fleas in my house!" Ok, that's a statement.
But I say, collect Airport-art too!
Buy it and compare with other objects! You will see the differences immediately.
And I will tell you why Airport-art is also important to look at: In case of the Senufo culture, the sculpture is not getting documentated as we do by counting, measuring and weighting. The Senufo preserve their sculpture by repeating.
Todays 76 years old Ziehouo Coulibaly from Korhogo is a retired Koulé, who learned from his father when he was 12. For a Kpelié-mask, he said, he needed about two weeks. Carving is the base of his live. He carved for traditional ritus as well as for travelling art dealers. Ziehouo does not distinguish between a piece he is doing for ritus or for sale. He always has the same requirement. The left mask was used in a traditional ceremony and shows the spiritual black stain treatment and signs of usage. The mask on the right was made for an art dealer, who persumibly treated the mask with furniture polish. Both masks are made in the same quality of carving. I bought this Airport-art-mask for € 28,-, free shipping, on Ebay and I feel ashamed: € 28 for two weeks of work. And not all the € 28 went to Ziehouo. As said, carving is the base of his existence. This is why it is important to know the carver, the man behind the sculpture. To me this mask has the same importance, than the ritually used one.
Left: Kpelié mask, carved by Ziehouo Coulibaly, Koulé from Korhogo.
35,0 x 16,5 x 9,0 cm, wood. Authentic mask.
Literature:
- Wenn Urform Form bestimmt, Markus Ehrhard, pages 114 - 115.
Right: Kpelié mask, carved by Ziehouo Coulibaly, Koulé from Korhogo.
35,0 x 16,5 x 9,0 cm, wood. Airport-art.
Literature:
- Wenn Urform Form bestimmt, Markus Ehrhard, pages 114 - 115.
Copyright content and images by Markus Ehrhard
Kommentar schreiben