The only world that can describe Ancient Greek Sculpture is perfection.It concerns not only the appearance of the characters presented but also Greek attitude to life. Art was supposed to imitate life in its ideal way but what was hidden behind this beautiful presentation? And does this phenomenon have something in common with modern pop culture?
The history of Greek sculpture was not so even as it may seem. It had it ups and downs. After centuries of searching for interesting presentation of the human body Greeks decided to concentrate on the realism and show the human body as it is in real life. But why are there different periods of Ancient Greek sculpture? It appears that the instinct to exaggerate things is our human nature and the willing to improve things, make them more spectacular and exiting is in our blood. According to Greek perception of reality, if the sculpture gets too realistic, in a matter of time it will become boring. That’s why Polykleitos decided to show physical potential of the human body, rotate it and show the different states of strained or relaxed muscles. It is common knowledge that proportion and harmony formed the basis of Ancient Greek sculpture but when the sculptors started to play with poses, angles of the body didn’t oppose, they even started to complement each other.
What’s the beauty? This question is being asked throughout the time but no one can give the exact answer. Talking about Greek people, it is necessary to say that appearance says a lot about position to the Gods. Considering traditional Greek sculpture you can’t take into account that there is something powerful and even equal with Ancient Gods. So for Greeks looking beautiful was probably a manifestation for being beautiful inside (How art made the world ).
In my opinion the periods of Greek sculpture development can be easily compared with modern pop culture development and standards of human body presentation. Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods had as their common basics as their own specialties. Nowadays pop culture and fashion industry states the following: some standards remain to be the same throughout the time but some change depending on world situation, society condition and people’s perception of the world. Some periods of Ancient Greek sculpture were inspired by other countries like Egypt and Mesopotamia or bright and influentional personalities like Alexander the Great (Sculpture of the Greek Classical Period). Today there are also a lot of interesting tendencies which people all over the world borrow from each other. For instance, world celebrities demonstrate the variety of trends that start from the traditional red carpet suit up to extraordinary mix of different shapes and colors. Strict Asian style is being replaced by wealthy Russian furs, and classical little black dress, in its turn, can be changed for colorful ethnic dress. This circle is endless and unstoppable. But what is hidden inside? What is about human body representation?
For instance, talking about contemporary pop stars like Madonna, Selena Gomez or Lil Wayne, it is necessary to say that their image and figure are completely different from each other. Madonna’s appearance is changed according to the standards and interests of the time. Her image characterized her not only as luxurious lady, but also as daring rock star, extraordinary mystic Indian woman, retro lady, etc (Madonna’s fashion revolution). Selena Gomez concentrates on classical looks and attracts people’s attention by uncovering different body parts (Selena Gomez’s best looks). Lil Wayne is known for his sporty and striking rap style (Lil Wayne style). His body is covered with tattoos that express his specific world view. In comparison with Ancient Greek sculpture, the perception of human figure still remains to be very important modern people like changing their preferences in ideal body parts, shapes and sizes. That’s why it’s worth noticing that modern values are very unstable.
The human body in the Ancient Greek sculpture was nude and clothes had no impact on clear and realistic image of Greek perception of beauty. Today’s pop art demonstrates that there are no boundaries between being nude and being naked and the common percepts of decency are relatively blurred. According to Greeks you could be nude but not naked but according to nowadays standards the message of nudity is lost.
It’s worth noticing that nudity in Greek sculpture had something solemn, clear and fresh while modern desire for fame makes celebrities lose their identity and show their body in an expressive way. Of course, there are some beautiful looks at different exhibitions, awards, etc. They may be very thought-out, elegant and mysterious. But when it comes to human mind – the best way to absorb your attention is to show more body and less clothes. And there is no good and no bad, it is just a human nature but it has nothing in common with aesthetics and fashion.
The traditional Ancient Greek sculpture depicts a person in an ideal physical condition without any flaws and weaknesses. The earliest periods (like Archaic) can be characterized with an image of an unknown person. These were just some depictions of young citizens, there were not much of adornments. Many details were borrowed from Egyptian and Mesopotamian sculpture style (Dipylon Kouros, The Moschophoros or calf-bearer, Phrasikleia Kore) (How art made the world ). In comparison with future sculptors’ approach their sculptures were very concentrated, strict and motionless. But even at those times the presentation of a human body was seen as something influentional and valuable.
Classical period had dramatically changed the perception of the human body. First of all, it became more technologically advanced, realistic human forms were depicted at the peak of its bloom, power and prosperity (Sculpture of the Greek Classical Period). A tendency to exaggerate human abilities didn’t come to extremes but showed the strength of the human body and strength of the personality in general. These could be statues of powerful Greek Gods (Hermes, Venus Braschi), land rulers (like Alexander the Great), etc. It’s worth noticing that with that period new types of adornments like beautiful fabrics and elegant pots came into use but, of course, the main adornment of every Classic Greek sculpture is the body itself.
What about contemporary pop stars and their attitude and approach to human body, it is necessary to say that aesthetic boundaries have become absolutely relative and the idea of body sanctity paled into insignificance.
Today’s pop culture demonstrates that the interest of the audience should be provoked, it should be stimulated by such factors as being extraordinary and bright. Intrigue comes to the background, people want to see and feel unusual emotions right here and right now. That’s why there is no time to wait. You whether stimulate the attention of the audience as fast as it possible or you take the risk of losing your popularity.
It goes without saying that relation to the perception of the human body plays an important role in society and reflects its values. Greek people saw body as a God, as something solemn and untouchable that kept power and sublimity of opportunities but modern relation to the human body points out that it is a tool that can stimulate people’s attention and attract audience.
Of course, people still see human body as a wonder but mainstream culture uses human instincts and interests for the most part. Therefore inside part is not as important as outside. People can be judged by their body and appearance and then just seal the deal, but Greeks owed and admired human body.
Works cited
Ancient Greek history Encyclopedia. ancient.eu, 2016. Web. Accessed 24 January 2016 at <http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Sculpture/>
Madonna’s fashion revolution. Billboard.com, 2016. Wed. Accessed 27 January at http://www.billboard.com/photos/428558/madonnas-fashion-evolution-her-most-iconic-looks/19
Selena Gomez’s best looks. Elle.com. Wed. Accessed 27 January at <http://www.elle.com/fashion/celebrity-style/news/g7669/selena-gomez-best-style-looks/>
Lil Wayne style. Stylebistro.com. Accessed 27 January at <http://www.stylebistro.com/Lil+Wayne/lookbooks>
Sculpture of the Greek Classical Period. From the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Greeklandscapes.com. Accessed 27 January at
<http://greeklandscapes.com/greece/athens_museum_classical.htm>
Dashwood R. ( Director), Allen W. (Producer) (2005) . How art made the world [Documentary]. USA.
