Nature Myths and Art of India and Hopi: Background Information for Studio Art

The intent of this project was to synthesize information gained by studying the myths and art of India and Hopi and to produce works of art that reflect the concepts learned from the study. The main focus of the creative project is nature's elements of earth, fire and sun. I chose to explore the myths, legends and art that express these elements with the belief that these cultural aspects reflect a close understanding of these elements of nature. For the investigative study, two different methods were chosen, due to the geographical location and number of people in these two cultures. Given the small size and relative close proximity of the Hopi culture, cultural anthropology through the Anthropology Department was the best approach, allowing for field work and an "over-all" study of the culture. I went to the Hopi Mesas of Arizona and visited the museums and galleries that housed Hopi art. I then researched their history and daily customs. From these I narrowed my focus to legends and art that related to the elements earth, fire and sun. Because of the many regional and religious diversities of India, I chose the India Studies Department where there were people from that culture teaching courses in mythology. After researching myths and epics, I narrowed my focus to the Rig Vedic hymns that have been passed down from approximately 1500 B.C. and have influenced much of India. I then researched the art, concentrating on sculpture and painting that best reflected the Vedic concepts of earth, fire and sun. My over-all approach to this project was to alternate between concentrated times of research and concentrated times of art work thus allowing me time to digest the information before putting it into art form. The methods of art where chosen by concentrating first on different aspects of these elements and then on what materials would best express those aspects. I avoided using the symbolism from these cultures in my work because I wanted the images to reflect my background as well as their (Hopi and India) understanding of earth, fire and sun. The creative project is presented in a two part document; Part I, Findings on Hopi Culture and Part II, Findings on the Rig Vedas of India, each with sub-heading. Part III consists of the information synthesized for the art work, the twenty-four pieces of art done and an accompanying narrative.