New Zealand Arts and crafts 1

1
Arts and Crafts
2
Aotearoa is the most widely known and accepted
Maori name for New Zealand. The original
derivation of Aotearoa is not known for certain.
The word can be broken up as ao cloud, tea
white and roa long, and it is therefore usually
glossed as "the land of the long white cloud".
3
Before the arrival of the Europeans Maori
literature, stories and legends were handed down
both orally and through weavings and carvings.
Some carvings are over 500 years old
4
Te Toi Whakairo is the art of Maori carving, and
Tohunga Whakairo were the great carvers - the
master craftsmen. A master carver was highly
considered. The Maori believed that the gods
created and communicated through the master
carvers
5
Carving used to be a tapu art, subject to the
rules and laws of tapu. The pieces of wood
falling aside as the carver worked were never
thrown away, neither were they used for the
cooking of food. Women were not permitted near
the carvings
6
The history, traditions, language and religion of
the Maori make up an integral part of the carving
art. To the Maori, all things possess a spirit
(wairua), and a mauri (life force)
7
Felling a tree was to cut down a descendant of
Tane, the god of forests and of man. Before
committing such an act, a karakia (ritual
incantation) was recited by the Tohunga, in order
to ensure that the act of felling an offspring of
Tane could be carried out safely
8
The Maori differed from other Polynesians in that
they preferred curves to straight lines in much
of their carvings
9
Many carvings take the distinctive koru spiral
form, similar to that of a curving stalk, or a
bulb
10
The koru (Maori for "bight or "loop) is a
spiral shape based on the shape of a new
unfurling silver fern frond and symbolizing new
life, growth, strength and peace. It is an
integral symbol in Maori art, carving and
tattoos. The circular shape of the koru helps to
convey the idea of perpetual movement while the
inner coil suggests a return to the point of
origin.
11
(No Transcript)
12
Koru can also refer to bone carvings. Those
generally take the shape of the uncurling fern
plant. When bone is worn on the skin, it changes
colour as oil is absorbed. The Maori took this to
symbolise that the spirit of the person was
inhabiting the pendant. When someone gives a
pendant to someone else, it is the custom that
they wear it for a time so that part of their
spirit is given as well
13
The koru is used in a stylised form as the logo
of Air New Zealand and as an iconic symbol of New
Zealand flora
14
(No Transcript)
15
The koru design is an integral symbol in Maori
art forms. Both on itself as well as incorporated
in more intricate designs
Internet image - Koru
16
The circular movement towards an inner coil
refers to going back to the beginning. The
unfurling frond itself is symbolic for new life,
hope, perfection, a new start, awakening, pers
growth, purity, nurturing, a new phase (in life),
rebirth, the spirit of rejuvenation, and peace
17
2011
Text Internet Pictures presentation Sanda
Foisoreanu
Sound Tarakihi (The Locust) - Kiri te
Kanava Traditional maori song -
Maori Haka