 |
| Image from pixabay.com |
 |
My sketch of a palm. |
The human hand is one of the anatomical features that make our species distinct. The straight fingers with a third joint, the ability to cup our palms and the elongated thumb set at a wide angle make our hands uniquely capable. The flexibility, grip and skillful perception of our hands along with the convenience of walking on two feet provided the freedom to humans to shape their surroundings. The mechanics of our hands is a characteristic that allows us to creatively adapt to the physical constraints and opportunities presented by nature.
Cultural Landscapes are documents of the dexterity of human hands unique skills of using tools and creating art. This common ability among humans to adapt has lead to a vast diversity of Cultural Landscapes as unique communities all over the globe interact with different challenges and opportunities presented to them by nature. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization, also known as UNESCO, are an international organization that have as part of their mandate to preserve the diversity of the World's Cultural Landscapes. UNESCO believes that preserving the diversity of Cultural Landscapes has universal value to all global citizens and will build intercultural understanding.
TIMELINE OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPE THEORY
1945 - UNESCO was created after the trauma of WWII. The organization was based on the principle that lasting peace required more than political and economical policy but must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity.
1972 - The document, Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
- Outlines the imperative of protecting the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage.
- Introduces the formation of Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, called "The World Heritage Committee".
- Lays out an action plan establish, keep up to date and publish, a inventory "World Heritage List" of sites of universal value.
1992 - The World Heritage Convention became the first international legal instrument to recognize and protect cultural landscapes. The Committee reestablished Cultural Landscapes are an equal priority to Built Heritage.
2012 – Canada’s first Cultural Landscape was added to the World Heritage List!
2015 –ICOMOS Canada launched a website for the National Conversation on Cultural Landscape, all so known as NCCL.
 |
| Shadow Play |
As someone who sucks at drawing, I remember the hand drawing assignments from elementary school well! Mine always ended up looking like cartoon hands. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of my favorite quote about art classes.
Delete…it is through the children that we wish for a new world, in which art and beauty may find a place in the common expression of living. The motivation of every class and program developed and begun was that children be taught to use their eyes, to see, and by seeing, to design a world everywhere beautiful.
—Arthur Lismer
It's interesting to think how big of a role our hands have in creating documents such as the UNESCO Convention. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYou only ever realize when you have a paper cut on you finger how much you rely on them for every little thing.
DeleteLiked that you applied a theory to your post Sarah! Provides a better understanding of cultural landscapes
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steven. I wrote it on the epic snow day so I had time to get creative. :)
DeleteI found it fascinating just how much of an influence "hands" have had. I myself have never been very skilled at drawing hands...or anything for that matter (haha).
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quote says about art classes points out that the value of doing art is not the product we produce but the process of learing to see and appreciate beauty.
Delete…it is through the children that we wish for a new world, in which art and beauty may find a place in the common expression of living. The motivation of every class and program developed and begun was that children be taught to use their eyes, to see, and by seeing, to design a world everywhere beautiful.
—Arthur Lismer
I don't know if I could make it through one of those body exhibitions! It may be too explicit or "vivid" for me... but the human body is a fascinating machine and it's great what we can do our hands! Like creating art! Interesting post Sarah
ReplyDeleteThat is what I thought too. I do not like gory stuff. But it was such a learning experience, I loved it. Intelligence is not just in our heads. A lot of art and talents come from the muscle memory in our hands.
DeleteInteresting blog topic, learned something new. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI glad. Please come again.
DeleteVery interesting topic, and I found the Body Works exhibit really fascinating when I went to it years ago. I'm glad it led to a new appreciation of the human form for you!
ReplyDeleteIt was like looking under the hood. I had a greater appreciation for all the mechanics under our skin.
DeleteUgh, we had to draw hands all the time in art class throughout university. I could NEVER master it. However it is truly amazing the vast amount of functions our hands are able to accomplish especially in the art realm!
ReplyDeleteOne of the UNESCO is Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas where the first artist took an interest in their hands. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/936
Delete