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An interesting correspondence
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View pictures:
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1,
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- 100
views of the Fuji (Vol. 1/3)
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One of many interesting correspondences :
For centuries, Japan became more and more fascinated by Western culture
and shifted its attention from itself and China to the West.
The Meiji restauration (1867-1912) forced the integration of Western culture.
Hokusai died in 1849, before the Meiji period. But we can assume that
he had seen reproductions of Western paintings from all periods including
medieval and renaissance art.
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Domenico Veneziano,
"Divine conversation", 1442 |
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Hokusai, from Mangas Vol 11 |
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We can see interesting coincidences of thinking. Both pictures show a sacred place with a trinity-structure with a main portal and two side-portals. A mother and her child are in the center. Some men are present. Their clothes underline their different functions and positions. We find this fundamental configuration in most cultures and periods. The Japanese scene is in a landscape. The renaissance scene is inside a church. Other Western paintings with this theme show views into "ideal landscapes" outside the windows. The holy mother and her child Jesus are usually under visible protection by a structure, the church, important men (three kings), sometimes angels, sometimes God. Leonardo da Vinci: a grotto in the rocks. Stephan Lochner: a rose garden structure, watched by God and many angels.
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A mother with her child is the strongest representation of earth, nature and life. Men are bystanders. They are good for wordly things such as protection. The patriarchial religious systems are abstract, they are not nature. They are represented by impressive men. Christians and moslem have a big problem to accept, let alone integrate the natural powers of women - and even more so, of women with their children into their paternalistic context. Women are made part of the system, but one doesn't fully trust them. Women cannot be priests, the scharia - the islamic law - orders that unfaithful women are killed by stone throwing. Men go free. Monotheistic religion and technology - its secular offspring - are in a fundamental conflict with earth and nature.
The concept: Exploit the world.
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