African art in motion;: Icon and act in the Collection of Katherine Coryton White

by Robert Farris Thompson

This captivating book offers an in-depth exploration of the profound relationship between dance, art, and objects in African culture, focusing on the ways in which movement breathes life into static forms. In many parts of Africa, dance extends beyond the human body, uniting with everyday objects such as spinning tops and cutlasses, transforming them into vibrant, autonomous works of art. The Tiv people of Nigeria exemplify this philosophy, where the motion of a spinning top or a twirling blade is imbued with the same artistic essence as human dance. This broader conception of dance highlights a fundamental principle in African art—the fusion of movement, form, and life. Motion, in this context, is not just a performance but a bridge to sacred realms, where the aliveness of an image or object is essential for it to function as a work of art. The book further delves into the unity of African art forms, where sculpture, dance, music, and visual objects are all intertwined, creating a holistic aesthetic experience. Famous examples, such as the Basinjom mask of Cameroon, illustrate how art maintains its vitality even in stillness, requiring ceremonial practices to anchor its powerful presence. The author explores how these performances and objects combine, not only to enhance the visual brilliance of the art but also to create metaphors for ethical and spiritual existence. This seamless integration of the arts provides a rich framework for understanding the icons of African culture—attitudes of the body like standing, sitting, and balancing, which transcend time, evoking themes of stability, flexibility, and balance. Through this lens, the book offers a journey into the timeless, poetic world of African danced art, where physical movement and artistic expression unite to reveal deeper truths about life and spirit.

Genres: Africa, Art

275 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1974

About the author

Robert Farris Thompson is a professor of the Art History at Yale University. He specializes in African and African-American art.

Reviews

[Michael J. Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not aware of another book as well researched and written on this topic.

[Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The key to understanding African art.

[Diane Dunham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished quite a while ago, just haven't had the chance to log on.