Dakota men and the Pictographic Style - Essay Example

Introduction Dakota men had painted in what is called the pictographic style for centuries, usually to record tribal histories and personal exploits. Howe learned that Dakota artists frequently contemplated the painting surface, often for days, until an arrangement of “aesthetic points” appeared the intersections for all lines subsequently drawn or painted in making the picture. The arrangement of these points was usually according to one of a few traditional designs, one of the most popular being the Tahokmu or spider-web design.

The Museum’s collection of over 6000 objects consists of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, textiles, sculptures, and Native American artifacts and art. The objects are a cultural reflection of the work of local, national, and international artists. The emphasis however, is on the work of artists from South Dakota and the surrounding region. Dakota men had painted in what is called the pictographic style for centuries, usually to record tribal histories and personal exploits. Howe learned that Dakota artists frequently contemplated the painting surface, often for days, until and arrangement of “aesthetic points” appeared, the intersections for all lines subsequently drawn or painted in making the picture.

The arrangement of these points was usually according to one of a few traditional designs, one of the most popular being the Tahokmu or spider-web design. (South Dakota Art Museum. Oscar Howe. Oscar Howe Biography. South Dakota State University). Sioux Sun Dancer is the picture having a human touch with respect to the natural and traditional in nature. here this can be compare with the Earth Song with the instrument also in natural origin. Socials within all Iroquois communities are meant to be enjoyed by all in attendance, especially when everyone dances.

Social songs vary in length, verses and tempo depending on the song selection of the singers.  All dances are done in a counter clockwise direction. A social is run by a "house keeper" or "pusher".   The job of the "house keepers" is to find lead singers and to know which songs that each lead singer knows.  Their job also includes finding lead dancers for the upcoming dance.   He then goes to the announcer with the information.  All dances are introduced in the Iroquois language of the speaker.

  In some instances, instructions are provided to ensure that dances are carried out properly. The instruments used in the social dances in various combinations are the water drum, the horn rattle, hard sticks and the beating of the feet on the floor The social dances can be categorized into three types of step styles: "stomp," "fish" and "side-step shuffle".  Stomp is a shuffling type of dance, the right foot leads and the left foot is brought up to meet the right.  The feet "hit" the floor with just enough impact to maintain the beat of the song.

  Fish is a dance where each foot hits in two or more consecutive beats.   Side-step shuffle is done by the women, the right foot and the left foot shuffle oppositely. The Woman Dancer, Sioux Round Dancer etc were also coming under this series. The specialties of the earth dance in comparison with the picture of mentioned above. Standing Quiver, Moccasin Dance, Old Moccasin Dance, Robin Dance, Duck Dance, Alligator Dance, Pigeon Dance, Raccoon Dance, Chicken Dance, Sharpened Stick, Fishing Dance etc are few of the dance forms with social importance and described as earth songs.

Eagle Dancer, Grass Dancer, The Singer are few other forms of painting which have the natural form and some times it can be viewed as the painting with a horror touch here also the Earth songs have very much relevance and importance to compare with these paintings. CONCLUSION We can conclude that when compare the musical items with the painting two art forms have its own importance and relevance with respect to its effects on society and nature .here in all the way these above mentioned songs and paintings were mutually coexisting Work Cited South Dakota Art Museum.

Oscar Howe. Oscar Howe Biography. South Dakota State University. 15 Mar. 2007 . Southwestern United States Rock Art Gallery. 15 Mar. 2007 . Friendship Dance. Songs of the Earth. 15 Mar. 2007 .